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FaultScore report

1996 Infiniti I30 problems

Owners have filed 31 complaints about the 1996 Infiniti I30 with NHTSA between 1996 and 2020. The largest single group is the acceleration & cruise control. Across this model's run it ranks 5 of 6 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Infiniti I30 All 1996 cars
C

FaultScore 44/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Infiniti I30.

How this is worked out

The numbers

31

Complaints

4

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

3

Injuries reported

137,141 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

0%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 27 vs 50 Severity 100 vs 50 Early failure 0 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 27
Against the median year of the Infiniti I30. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
22.6% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 1996 compares with every other Infiniti I30

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 1996 Infiniti I30

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Tires 5 16.1%

Median failure at 97,821 miles

Acceleration & Cruise Control 5 16.1%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 94,070 mi

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 4 12.9%
Airbags 3 9.7%

3 crashes, 0 fires · median 110,000 mi

Engine & Cooling 3 9.7%

Median failure at 180,111 miles

Seat Belts 2 6.5%

Median failure at 180,111 miles

Fuel & Propulsion 2 6.5%
Suspension 2 6.5%

Median failure at 180,111 miles

Equipment & Accessories 1 3.2%
Body & Structure 1 3.2%

Median failure at 184,522 miles

Brakes 1 3.2%
Electrical System 1 3.2%

Median failure at 137,141 miles

Transmission & Drivetrain 1 3.2%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

50,000 – 74,999 miles 1 11.1%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 1 11.1%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 3 33.3%
150,000+ miles 4 44.4%

NHTSA crash tests

The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own photographs and star ratings.

These stars come from the pre-2011 crash test programme. NHTSA rebuilt the programme for the 2011 model year and states that ratings either side of that change are not comparable — so do not read these against a 2011-or-newer car's stars.

Configuration Overall Front Side Rollover
1996 Infiniti I30 4-DR. — — — —

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Jan 1996 peak 3 Jan 2020

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 110,000 miles Columbia, SC Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

WHILE DRIVING ON A CLEAR DAY, NO WET ROAD, ETC., ON SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2004, MY 1996 INFINITI I30 MYSTERIOUSLY WENT OUT OF CONTROL, WENT INTO A SLIDE, CROSSED A TWO LANE HIGHWAY, WENT DOWN AN ENBANKMENT, FLIPPED OVER, AND CRASHED TOP-FIRST INTO A TREE; DRIVING THE ROOF INTO THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE AIRBAGS NEVER DID EMPOLY. THE INVESTIGATING OFFICER DID NOT ISSUE A CITATION SINCE HE COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE FOR THE CAR GOING OUT OF CONTROL. I WAS CHECKED FOR SOBRIETY, ETC. AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT I WAS NOT IMPAIRED. ALL TIRES WERE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION, THERE WAS NOT A TIRE BLOWOUT. THE FRONT WAS ALIGNED ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO. THE TIRES WERE RECENTLY ROTATED AND BALANCED. THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS REPLACED AT THAT TIME BECAUSE THE TIRE HAD A SLIGHT INDENTATION DUE TO POSSIBLY HITTING A SIDE WALK CURVE.

NHTSA complaint #10090509 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Greensboro, NC Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

HAD STARTED TO SLOW DOWN WHEN VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. BEFORE TAKING OFF ENGINE WAS REVVING. OWNER HAD NO CONTROL. VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE PARKED IN PARKING LOT. BEFORE TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, VEHICLE WAS AT BODY SHOP.

NHTSA complaint #8006928 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

South Plainfield, NJ Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION . UPON IMPACT, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA complaint #823524 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Oxnard, CA Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

DURING IMPACT AT 20-25 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, CAUSING CONSUMER TO SUSTAIN BURNS TO THE FACE AREA. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VIOLENT DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG HAS CAUSED NECK PAIN, CONSUMER HAS TO TAKE MEDICATION AND WEAR A BRACE, ALSO MAY NEED LASER SURGERY. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #818692 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 180,111 miles West Sacramento, CA

SEAT BELTS

I BELIEVE I'M THE 4TH OWNER OF THIS HERE VEHICLE THE MIDDLE SEAT BELT RIPPED, I HAVE A OIL LEAK AND THE TRANSMISSION KEEPS SLIPPING AND THE SEATS ARE SUN DAMAGED THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD TOLD ME THAT HE HAD MANY TRANSMISSION MECHANICS LOOK AT THE TRANSMISSION AND THEY HAD TOLD HIM THAT MANY THINGS CAN BE WRONG WITH IT BUT THE DON'T KNOW WHAT EXACTLY AND THE CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T WORK

NHTSA complaint #11297837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 180,111 miles West Sacramento, CA

SUSPENSION

I BELIEVE I'M THE 4TH OWNER OF THIS HERE VEHICLE THE MIDDLE SEAT BELT RIPPED, I HAVE A OIL LEAK AND THE TRANSMISSION KEEPS SLIPPING AND THE SEATS ARE SUN DAMAGED THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD TOLD ME THAT HE HAD MANY TRANSMISSION MECHANICS LOOK AT THE TRANSMISSION AND THEY HAD TOLD HIM THAT MANY THINGS CAN BE WRONG WITH IT BUT THE DON'T KNOW WHAT EXACTLY AND THE CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T WORK

NHTSA complaint #11297837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 180,111 miles West Sacramento, CA

ENGINE

I BELIEVE I'M THE 4TH OWNER OF THIS HERE VEHICLE THE MIDDLE SEAT BELT RIPPED, I HAVE A OIL LEAK AND THE TRANSMISSION KEEPS SLIPPING AND THE SEATS ARE SUN DAMAGED THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD TOLD ME THAT HE HAD MANY TRANSMISSION MECHANICS LOOK AT THE TRANSMISSION AND THEY HAD TOLD HIM THAT MANY THINGS CAN BE WRONG WITH IT BUT THE DON'T KNOW WHAT EXACTLY AND THE CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T WORK

NHTSA complaint #11297837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 137,141 miles Monterey, CA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 INFINITI I30. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, IT FAILED TO DEACTIVATE. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT WOULD DEPRESS THE CRUISE CONTROL BUTTON TO DEACTIVATE THE FEATURE. CURRENTLY, THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH UNLESS HE TURNED AND HELD THE STEERING WHEEL BEFORE TURNING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT CALLED CARDINALE NISSAN (LOCATED AT 1661 DEL MONTE BLVD, SEASIDE, CA 93955, (831) 322-4115) AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,141.

NHTSA complaint #11255992 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 137,141 miles Monterey, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 INFINITI I30. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, IT FAILED TO DEACTIVATE. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT WOULD DEPRESS THE CRUISE CONTROL BUTTON TO DEACTIVATE THE FEATURE. CURRENTLY, THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH UNLESS HE TURNED AND HELD THE STEERING WHEEL BEFORE TURNING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT CALLED CARDINALE NISSAN (LOCATED AT 1661 DEL MONTE BLVD, SEASIDE, CA 93955, (831) 322-4115) AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,141.

NHTSA complaint #11255992 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 184,522 miles Chestnut Ridge, NY

STRUCTURE:BODY

THIS IS MY SECOND INFINITI I30 WHICH IS THE EXACT SAME VEHICLE AS THE NISSAN MAXIMA. I CURRENTLY OWN A 1996 AND HAVE OWNED A 1997 PRIOR AND BOTH HAD RUST IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LOWER RADIATOR CORE SUPPORT. OVER THE WEEKEND I LOOKED AT A 2000 INFINITI I30 FOR A FAMILY MEMBER CONSIDERING PURCHASE AND NOTICED THE SAME PROBLEM. AFTER 3 DIFFERENT CARS ALL OF DIFFERENT MODEL YEARS I DID EXTENSIVE RESEARCH AND HAVE DISCOVERED ALL OVER THE INTERNET THAT THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM EFFECTING EVERY NISSAN MAXIMA AND INFINITI I30 FROM THE YEARS 1995-2000 REGARDLESS OF CLIMATE OR REGION. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN BROUGHT FORTH IN MORE OF A "VENTING" FORMAT AND MANY PEOPLE DID NOT THINK TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER DIRECTLY. THIS LOWER RADIATOR SUPPORT HAS A LOWER ENGINE MOUNT BRACE THAT SCREWS IN, AND ONCE IT RUSTS COMPLETELY, WILL ALLOW THE ENGINE OF THE VEHICLE TO POTENTIALLY DROP OUT FROM BENEATH AND CAUSE A MAJOR AUTOMOTIVE COLLISION OR EVEN FATALITY. I HAVE BEEN QUOTED $1200 TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER I DO NOT THINK I AM RESPONSIBLE OR SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE LIVES ARE LOST!!!!

NHTSA complaint #10531719 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 110,000 miles Columbia, SC Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

WHILE DRIVING ON A CLEAR DAY, NO WET ROAD, ETC., ON SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2004, MY 1996 INFINITI I30 MYSTERIOUSLY WENT OUT OF CONTROL, WENT INTO A SLIDE, CROSSED A TWO LANE HIGHWAY, WENT DOWN AN ENBANKMENT, FLIPPED OVER, AND CRASHED TOP-FIRST INTO A TREE; DRIVING THE ROOF INTO THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE AIRBAGS NEVER DID EMPOLY. THE INVESTIGATING OFFICER DID NOT ISSUE A CITATION SINCE HE COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE FOR THE CAR GOING OUT OF CONTROL. I WAS CHECKED FOR SOBRIETY, ETC. AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT I WAS NOT IMPAIRED. ALL TIRES WERE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION, THERE WAS NOT A TIRE BLOWOUT. THE FRONT WAS ALIGNED ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO. THE TIRES WERE RECENTLY ROTATED AND BALANCED. THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS REPLACED AT THAT TIME BECAUSE THE TIRE HAD A SLIGHT INDENTATION DUE TO POSSIBLY HITTING A SIDE WALK CURVE.

NHTSA complaint #10090509 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 97,821 miles Clearwater, FL

TIRES

DUNLOP TIRE FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO GET ASSISTANCE BEFORE BLOWOUT. DEALER ADVISED THAT TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD HAVE BLOWN OUT IF DRIVEN FURTHER.

NHTSA complaint #10049791 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 51,000 miles Boca Rato, FL

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHEN MAKING A SUDDEN STOP VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY JUMPS FORWARD. CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. DEALER HAD BEEN CONTACTED.

NHTSA complaint #10046341 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Spartanburg, SC

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING AT SLOW SPEED VEHICLE STALLED AND DIED. DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10038206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Selden, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WHEN STARTING UP THE VEHICLE CAN HEAR A TAPPING NOISE COMING FROM TIMING CHAIN. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #8013522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Greensboro, NC Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

HAD STARTED TO SLOW DOWN WHEN VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. BEFORE TAKING OFF ENGINE WAS REVVING. OWNER HAD NO CONTROL. VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE PARKED IN PARKING LOT. BEFORE TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, VEHICLE WAS AT BODY SHOP.

NHTSA complaint #8006928 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sheboygan, WI

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #750011 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sheboygan, WI

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #750011 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Alexandria, VA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SWITCH UP FROM THE FIRST GEAR.

NHTSA complaint #744390 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Atlanta, GA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM

CAR CONTINUALLY STALLS. ALTHOUGH IT DOES START RIGHT UP AGAIN, THE STALLING IS PERSISTENT. ESPECIALLY IN HOTTER WEATHER AT IDLE OR LOW SPEEDS.

NHTSA complaint #730264 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Atlanta, GA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM

CAR CONTINUALLY STALLS. ALTHOUGH IT DOES START RIGHT UP AGAIN, THE STALLING IS PERSISTENT. ESPECIALLY IN HOTTER WEATHER AT IDLE OR LOW SPEEDS.

NHTSA complaint #730264 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

West Hemps, NY

TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE

PASSENGER SIDE SPARE TIRE BLEW OUT ON THE ROAD. YH

NHTSA complaint #605753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Villa Park, CA

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

SUN ROOF CRACKED INTO HUNDREDS OF TINY BLEMISHES THE BLEW OUT OF THE TOP OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA complaint #533952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Viila Park, CA

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

SUN ROOF BLEW OFF OF VEHICLE, CRACKED INTO HUNDREDS OF TINY BLEMISHES.

NHTSA complaint #527917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

South Plainfield, NJ Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION . UPON IMPACT, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA complaint #823524 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Downey, CA

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

STEREO SYSTEM FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #604195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

East Meadow, NY

TIRES

PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE BLEW OUT.

NHTSA complaint #605753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Oxnard, CA Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

DURING IMPACT AT 20-25 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, CAUSING CONSUMER TO SUSTAIN BURNS TO THE FACE AREA. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VIOLENT DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG HAS CAUSED NECK PAIN, CONSUMER HAS TO TAKE MEDICATION AND WEAR A BRACE, ALSO MAY NEED LASER SURGERY. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #818692 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT

STRUT FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #604844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.