1998 Infiniti QX4: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 29 owner complaints on record; most reports concern steering.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2011
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 29 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“When you let off the gas peddle the rearend starts a violently shakeing back and forth and will cause you to drive over something or someone due to defective bushings!!!how can they sell us crap that can cost the lives of so many people and not honor a recall on rear bushings...I nearly shut down the interstate on my last drive......”Owner report · Suspension · Jul 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 infiniti qx4. The contact stated that while driving at 15 mph, the steering wheel fractured. As a result, the contact was unable to steer the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the steering wheel fractured due to corrosion and that the steering column and spring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 173,757.”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2016
“On nov.9 I was driving home on pattersonmill rd. In barnwell sc. A buck deer hit my 1998 infiniti qx4 I went off road n hit a tree cutting in half I was able to kick out windshield crawd out went to neighbors home she called for help morel to story I have a crack in skull under eye contusion and concussion with chronic pain up down my spine I have surgery on my orbital floor on monday please help me call plenty lawyers but they don't have the experience to halide my case my driver side air bag didn't deploy but passenger side did I got hurt and is in chronic pain I want compensation for my stress,injuries,pain n future pain and suffering for airbag not deploying. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2013
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 infiniti qx4. The contact stated that the frame was rusted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was confirmed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000. Updated 9/4/13 *cn”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2013
“1998 infiniti qx4. Consumer writes in discontent concerning recall repairs *tgw the consumer stated the dealer never informed her it would take an extended amount of time to fix the strut tower. The consumer stated the dealer had her vehicle for three weeks. Finally, the first week of september, the consumer was informed the corrosion on the strut tower housing was so significant, that it not only needed sealant and resin patches and additional work, but the repairs could not be guaranteed by the mechanics. *jb”Owner report · Suspension · Oct 2011
“As I passed through an intersection, a vehicle went through a red light. I tried to veer to avoid him, but the steering column failed. As a result of this equipment failure, the car struck my vehicle and my car was totalled. After my car was scrapped, I received the safety recall notice.”Owner report · Steering · May 2011
“Structure frame front drivers side. Excessive noise when turning the steering wheel. Frame rubbing on the steering shaft from corrosion due to poor design. Safety concerns wheel section could separate from frame causing severe injury to occupants or others. Catastrophic failure of frame could occur while driving and hitting a pot hole. Repair costs if possible are in the thousands. The frame separation is a major safety issue caused by premature corrosion problems. The front frame left and right sides had to be welded using steel plates to support front struts. Vehicle is in excellent shape except for the frame failure problem. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2011
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 infiniti qx4. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in the recall associated NHTSA campaign id number 11v244000 (steering:column). An authorized dealer was notified and the contact was advised to wait for an owner notification letter to arrive in the mail. An owner notification letter never arrived in the mail. An authorized dealer was again notified and the contact was informed the parts necessary to remedy the failure were not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the situation. The failure mileage was 160,000.”Owner report · Steering · Apr 2011
“Had a recall on our car and when we called to tell them we had it fixed they wanted us to take it to their dealer which the closest one to us is over 300 miles and impossible for us to do I am on disability and can barley survive on what I get and there is no way possible for me to be able to afford to travel this distance money wise they are supposed to reimbursed me for the repair expenses but wont if I cant get it to their dealer. I had it repaired in august 2010 the exact recall wording was for front drivers side strut tower housing I couldn't find this in your list and when I called the number that's when she told us about the fuel line problem. *tr”Owner report · Steering · Aug 2010
“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 infiniti qx4. The contact stated that the left strut apron broke and it was covered with rust which caused the steering coupling to shear off. While driving approximately 5 mph, he tried to make a turn and the steering wheel did not respond. The vehicle was towed to a service station. He also noticed that when driving over pot holes there was limited stability in the steering wheel; although, the shocks and struts were replaced prior to the failure. The dealer and manufacturer have not been notified. The current and failure mileages were approximately 135,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Oct 2009
When filing, owners marked a crash in 6 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, TENNESSEE, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA , WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, DURING THE COATING PROCESS OF THE FUEL FILLER TUBE ASSEMBLY, AN INSUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF COATING MAY HAVE BEEN APPLIED AT THE LOWER MOUNTING BRACKET. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN OPENING IN THE COATING WHICH CAN ALLOW WATER TO ENTER AND MAKE CONTACT WITH THE BARE METAL OF THE TUBE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILLER TUBE ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ONE WITH AN IMPROVED COATING PROCESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 26, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1996-2004 PATHFINDER AND MODEL YEAR 1997-2003 INFINITI QX4 VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WASHINGTON D.C., WEST VIRGINIA AND WISCONSIN. IN AREAS OF THE COUNTRY IN WHICH HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT ARE USED, A MIXTURE OF SNOW/WATER AND SALT MAY ENTER AN ASSEMBLY LOCATION HOLE IN THE UPPER STRUT HOUSING, CAUSING WATER TO COLLECT AT THE MATING SURFACE OF THE STRUT HOUSING PANEL AND THE INNER HOOD LEDGE ASSEMBLY. OVER TIME, THIS SNOW/WATER AND SALT INTRUSION MAY RESULT IN CORROSION OF THE STRUT TOWER HOUSING IN SOME SUBJECT VEHICLES.
Remedy: NISSAN WILL INSPECT THE STRUT HOUSING AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM NOTIFICATION LETTER WAS SENT OUT IN MAY 2011. THE SECOND NOTICE WAS MAILED ON JULY 25, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1998 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact QX4 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Infiniti QX4 reliable?
NHTSA has 29 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Infiniti QX4. The most complained-about area is steering.
Does the 1998 Infiniti QX4 have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:filler pipe and cap. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.