1998 Infiniti I30 problems

AIR BAGS

WHILE DRIVING HOME COULD HEAR A CLICKING NOISE IN THE WIRING CAR STARTED TO LOSE POWER AND EVENTUALLY DIED IN THE ROAD, JUMP STARTED IT TO GET TO A SHOP WAS TOLD IT WAS THE ALTERNATOR, BOUGHT NEW ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY AFTER DRIVING FOR A WHILE CAR SHORTED OUT AGAIN LOST POWER AND ONCE AGAIN DIED ON THE ROAD, JUMP STARTED CAR TO GET HOME. CAR WILL NOT HOLD POWER KEEPS SHORTING OUT IN THE WIRES, ALTERNATOR IS STILL GOOD AS WELL AS BATTERY. YOU CAN HEAR THE WIRING WHEN IT SHORTS OUT AS IT CLICKS. WHEN I JUMP START THE CAR IT WILL ONLY STAY CHARGED FOR A FEW MINUTES BEFORE DYING OUT AGAIN. I AM NOT ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR NOW AS IT WILL NOT STAY CHARGED, SOMETHING ELECTRICAL IS DRAINING THE BATTERY. WHEN THE WIRING STARTS TO CLICK RADIO GOES OFF AND CLOCK DIMS BEFORE SHUTTING OFF AS WELL.

NHTSA complaint #10995902 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING HOME COULD HEAR A CLICKING NOISE IN THE WIRING CAR STARTED TO LOSE POWER AND EVENTUALLY DIED IN THE ROAD, JUMP STARTED IT TO GET TO A SHOP WAS TOLD IT WAS THE ALTERNATOR, BOUGHT NEW ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY AFTER DRIVING FOR A WHILE CAR SHORTED OUT AGAIN LOST POWER AND ONCE AGAIN DIED ON THE ROAD, JUMP STARTED CAR TO GET HOME. CAR WILL NOT HOLD POWER KEEPS SHORTING OUT IN THE WIRES, ALTERNATOR IS STILL GOOD AS WELL AS BATTERY. YOU CAN HEAR THE WIRING WHEN IT SHORTS OUT AS IT CLICKS. WHEN I JUMP START THE CAR IT WILL ONLY STAY CHARGED FOR A FEW MINUTES BEFORE DYING OUT AGAIN. I AM NOT ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR NOW AS IT WILL NOT STAY CHARGED, SOMETHING ELECTRICAL IS DRAINING THE BATTERY. WHEN THE WIRING STARTS TO CLICK RADIO GOES OFF AND CLOCK DIMS BEFORE SHUTTING OFF AS WELL.

NHTSA complaint #10995902 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

TAKATA RECALL THE CAR TURNS OFF BY IT SELF

NHTSA complaint #10837080 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

TAKATA RECALL THE CAR TURNS OFF BY IT SELF

NHTSA complaint #10837080 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

TAKATA RECALL THE CAR TURNS OFF BY IT SELF

NHTSA complaint #10837080 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

I PURCHASED THIS CAR, AS THE SECOND OWNER, IN 2001, AND EVERYTHING APPEARED FINE. WITHIN 6 MONTHS, MY AIR BAG LIGHT HAD COME ON. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT/INCIDENT INVOLVED - I TURNED THE IGNITION KEY AND THE LIGHT CAME ON. I HAVE ASKED A FEW MECHANICS ABOUT IT, BUT THEY ALL SAID THE ONLY WAY TO KNOW IF IT IS TRULY DEFECTIVE IS TO HAVE IT DEPLOY, AND THERE IS NO WAY OF KNOWING UNLESS I ACTUALLY HIT SOMETHING. IT HAD 81K MILES WHEN I PURCHASED IT IN 2001, AND NOW HAS ABOUT 153K. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT IF I DON'T KNOW WHETHER IT IS SAFE. WE DID HAVE ONE VERY MINOR COLLISION ABOUT 5 YEARS AGO, (ANOTHER DRIVER HIT US DRIVING VERY SLOWLY) AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR QUARTER PANEL WAS DENTED, BUT IT DID NOT DEPLOY THE AIRBAG. WITH SO MUCH PRESS ABOUT THE AIRBAGS, I THOUGHT I SHOULD CHECK TO SEE IF MY MODEL HAS BEEN RECALLED YET. JUST BECAUSE MY CAR IS OLD DOES NOT MEAN IT HAS NOT BEEN ISSUE FOR OVER 10 YEARS. IT IS A SCARY WAY TO DRIVE AROUND. I TRIED TO CHECK TO SEE IF WAS A RECALL BUT THE WEBSITE IS DOWN, SO I DON'T KNOW. I CHECKED "NOT FOUND".

NHTSA complaint #10717380 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

INFINITI I30 AIR BAG RED LIGHT ON DASH BLINKING INDICATING FAULTY AIR BAGS. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW IF THE AIR BAGS ARE FUNCTIONAL OR IF IT IS JUST THE LIGHT. INFINITI WANTS > $600 TO REPLACE THE AIRBAG WHICH ONLY SEEMS TO LAST A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. MANY OWNERS HAVE INDICATED THIS PROBLEM ON THE WEB: HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/REVIEWS/INFINITI/I30/R71712/COMMENTS/ HTTP://FORUMS.NICOCLUB.COM/AIR-BAG-SIGN-BLINKING-ON-1998-INFINITI-I30-T285511.HTML HTTP://X.INFINITIHELP.COM/FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP/AIR-BAG-LIGHT-FLASH-1250.HTML?S=E57EE447DB4834484BF21B4FA7BD8AA0&P=4558

NHTSA complaint #10383795 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

IN SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2009, I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH INFINITI AND NHTSA REGARDING A STRUCTURAL DEFECT TO THE FRAME OF MY 1998 INFINITI I30T. BECAUSE OF THE DESIGN, THE FRAME ROTTED AND COMPLETELY SEPARATED UNDER THE ENGINE DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION. MECHANICS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE ENGINE AND/OR TRANSMISSION COULD FALL OUT CAUSING THE OPERATOR TO LOSE COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A SERIOUS MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT CAUSING SERIOUS BODILY INJURIES AND/OR DEATH. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE NISSAN MAXIMAS AROUND THE SAME YEAR ALSO HAD THE SAME ISSUE BECAUSE THEY UTILIZED THE SAME FRAME. I CANNOT BELIEVE INFINITY, NISSAN AND/OR NHTSA HAVE NOT INITIATED RECALLS ON THESE VEHICLES GIVEN THE RECENT RECALLS AND SERIOUS ACCIDENTS OF VEHICLES WITH SIMILAR ISSUES THAT HAVE RESULTED IN DEATHS (I.E. FORD WINDSTAR VANS AND HONDA PASSPORTS). WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO ISSUE A RECALL OF THESE VEHICLES TO PROTECT THE OPERATORS?

NHTSA complaint #10374048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I OWN A 1998 INFINITI I30. ON THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2010, MY DAUGHTER NICHOLE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE FREEWAY WHEN SUDDENTLY THE CAR ACCELERATED TO OVER 4000 RMP WITHOUT HER APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. SHE APPLIED THE BRAKE WITH ALL PRESSURE SHE COULD MUSTER (2 FEET) AND EVENTUALLY PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND PULLED OFF THE FREEWAY, WITH SMOKE POURING FROM ALL FOUR WHEELS. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO AN AUTO MECHANIC, WHO FOUND THAT THE IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE WAS BAD. WHEN THE MECHANIC STARTED THE CAR IN THE SHOP, THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY RACED TO 5000 RMP. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT HE HAD NEVER SEEN A CASE WHERE WHEN THE IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE GOES BAD, THAT IT CAUSES THE ENGINE TO RACE. INSTEAD, HE SAYS THE ENGINE JUST DIES. IN THE PROCESS OF STOPPING THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT PADS WERE FRIED AND WORN DOWN TO BARE METAL, AND DESTROYED THE FRONT ROTORS. THE REAR DISC PADS WERE ALSO FRIED, BUT THE REAR ROTORS CAN BE SALVAGED.

NHTSA complaint #10322337 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON, TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, WAS TOLD SENSOR WENT BAD. MADE REPAIR. ABOUT TWO YEARS LATER, AIR BAG LIGHT CAME BACK ON WITH SIMILAR PROBLEM. WAS TOLD AIR BAGS WERE NON-FUNCTIONAL WHEN AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON.

NHTSA complaint #10313703 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 INFINITY I30. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH HE SMELLED RUBBER BURNING AND THE FOLLOWING DAY HE HAD DIFFICULTY STARTING THE VEHICLE. HE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL GARAGE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ALTERNATOR CAUSED THE BURNING SMELL. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT A PART OF RECALL 02V171000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ALTERNATOR/ GENERATOR/ REGULATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 108,000.

NHTSA complaint #10296663 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

IN JUNE 2009, I TOOK MY 1998 INFINITI I30T INTO A DEALERSHIP FOR A ROUTINE SERVICE. THE DEALERSHIP NOTIFIED ME THAT MY VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE FRAME HAD ROTTED UNDER THE ENGINE & HAD DISCONNECTED FROM THE BODY. HE THEN INFORMED ME THAT CONTINUED OPERATION COULD RESULT IN THE FRAME COMPLETELY SPLITTING APART CAUSING THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION TO FALL OUT OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD THEN TRIGGER A SERIOUS M/V ACCIDENT. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER PASS THE YEARLY STATE INSPECTION. I ADVISED THE SERVICE MANAGER TO FIX THE PROBLEM. HE INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS NO WAY TO CORRECT THE DEFECT. THERE WAS NO REPLACEMENT PART OR WAY TO WELD THE PIECES TOGETHER. I WENT TO KELLY INFINITI AND SPOKE TO THE SERVICE MANAGER, WHO ADVISED ME THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS FOR FRAMES IN THESE VEHICLES. HE WENT ON TO STATE THAT HE HAS HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM IN SIMILAR VEHICLES AND BELIEVED THE KELLY COLLISION CENTER COULD POSSIBLY REPAIR THE PROBLEM. WHEN ASKED HOW AN AVERAGE CONSUMER WOULD IDENTIFY AND KNOW TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM, HE ADVISED THAT THE FRAME IS CHECKED ON A VEHICLE'S YEARLY INSPECTION. MY VEHICLE HAD JUST BEEN INSPECTED IN OCTOBER 2008 AND THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE FRAME. HAD I NOT GONE IN FOR SERVICE IN JUNE, MY NEXT INSPECTION WAS IN OCTOBER 2009, A FULL FOUR MONTHS LATER. WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED HAD MY 17 YEAR OLD SON HIT A POT HOLE ON A HIGHWAY GOING 55 OR 65 MPH AND THE VEHICLE SPLIT APART AND/OR THE ENGINE FELL OUT? A FATALITY IS CLEARLY A POSSIBILITY. I WENT TO KELLY COLLISION CENTER IN BEVERLY AND MET WITH MANAGER SKIP GIRARD, WHO ADVISED ME HE COULD CORRECT THE PROBLEM, AS HE HAD DONE WITH SEVERAL OTHER 96 AND 97 I30'S. HE STATED THAT MY I30 WAS THE FIRST 1998 THAT HE HAD SEEN WITH THIS FRAME ROT. HE ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE'S DESIGN CAUSES WATER FROM THE ROAD OR RAIN TO CONTINUOUSLY SATURATE THE FRAME IN THIS AREA, WHICH CAUSES CORROSION. THE ENTIRE FRONT PORTION OF MY FRAME WAS REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10285641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 INFINITI I30. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF OVER $1,000. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 64, 726. UPDATED 07/14/09 *BF UPDATED 07/15/09.

NHTSA complaint #10272659 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHES, THIS PROBLEM OCCURS WITH MANY 1998 INFINITI I30'S AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET. NISSAN WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR CORRECTING THE PROBLEM. LIGHT SUGGESTS THAT THE AIRBAG IS FAULTY HOWEVER NISSAN SAYS THIS IS NOT THE CASE. FAULTY OR NOT THE FLASHING LIGHT SUGGESTS SAFETY ISSUE AND THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM THAT NISSAN HAS TAPPED THE CONSUMER FOR AT ANYWHERE FROM 500-1000 PER OCCURRENCE.

NHTSA complaint #10247453 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AT 33,000. DIAGNOSIS: A BAD SENSOR FOR DRIVER'S SIDE BAG. EXTENDED WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER. THEY WANTED $700 TO FIX IT. TURNS OUT THERE IS A RESET METHOD THAT WILL TURN OFF THE LIGHT IF IT IS NOT DEFECTIVE, AND ONLY NEEDS TO BE RESET. THE DEALER DID NOT TRY THIS, OR OFFER TO DO SO.

NHTSA complaint #10193517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE

CHECK OUT THIS SITE. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH I30 HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/VIEWCOMMENTS_REVIEW_71712.HTML AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT FLASHES. THIS WOULD INDICATE THAT THE AIRBAG IS MALFUNCTIONING OR THE SYSTEM LIGHT, BUT IN EITHER CASE WE KNOW NOT WHICH. THIS APPEARS TO BE AN ONGOING SITUATION WHICH INFINITI WILL NOT ADDRESS. PLEASE INVESTIGATE.

NHTSA complaint #10191420 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING A 1998 INFINITE I30. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE A LOT OF NOISE DUE TO THE TIMING CHAIN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND SHE WAS TOLD THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10181689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE

AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHES REPEATEDLY. CAR HAS JUST TURNED OVER 40000 MILES. DEALERSHIP (CREST) IN PLANO CHARGES $130 JUST TO LOOK AT THE CAR AND DIAGNOSE. NEW SENSOR PLUS INSTALLATION COSTS $500. NOT WORTH THE COST ON A 1998 VEHICLE. COMPLAINED THAT THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY/NISSAN ISSUE. COMPLAINTS WERE IGNORED.

NHTSA complaint #10181729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE

THE AIRBAGS ARE RENDERED USELESS FOR NO APPEARENT REASON OTHER THAN DEFECTIVE FROM THE MAKER. VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 40,000 MILES WHEN THE DEFECT WAS FOUND BY DEALER. DEALER CLAIMED IT TO BE THE OWNER'S RESPONSIBILITY AND COSTS. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL BY NISSAN.

NHTSA complaint #10167474 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.