Total Complaints
13 filings
INFINITI J30 · model year
1997 INFINITI J30
13 NHTSA complaints, 6 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1997INFINITIJ30 carries 13 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 6 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1997 J30 is vehicle speed control with 3 filings, followed by electrical system:horn (2) and suspension:front (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 7 investigation files overlapping the 1997 J30. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
13
Complaints
6
Crashes
0
Fires
5
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
6 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 3 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN | 2 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 1 |
| STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS | 1 |
| CHILD SEAT | 1 |
| AIR BAGS | 1 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20100312LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR STOPPED WORKING , A MONTH LATER THE REAR DRIVERS DOOR STOPPED WORKING, 2 WEEKS LATER THE DRIVERS DOOR STOPPED WORKING ON MY 1997 INFINITI J30 (WHICH I PURCHASED NEW, ONLY 107,000 MILES ON IT).NOW THE ONLY DOOR THAT WORKS IS THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR. THERE ARE NO BLOWN FUSES. IT SEEMS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ACTUATOR THAT ELECTRONICALLY OPENS AND CLOSES THE MECHANISM. IF THE OTHER DOOR FAILS , I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ENTER OR EXIT THE VEHICLE. IF THIS SHOULD HAPPEN WHILE I AM DRIVING THE VEHICLE, IT COULD BE LIFE THREATENING. *TR
Mileage: 107,000
20100312STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR STOPPED WORKING , A MONTH LATER THE REAR DRIVERS DOOR STOPPED WORKING, 2 WEEKS LATER THE DRIVERS DOOR STOPPED WORKING ON MY 1997 INFINITI J30 (WHICH I PURCHASED NEW, ONLY 107,000 MILES ON IT).NOW THE ONLY DOOR THAT WORKS IS THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR. THERE ARE NO BLOWN FUSES. IT SEEMS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ACTUATOR THAT ELECTRONICALLY OPENS AND CLOSES THE MECHANISM. IF THE OTHER DOOR FAILS , I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ENTER OR EXIT THE VEHICLE. IF THIS SHOULD HAPPEN WHILE I AM DRIVING THE VEHICLE, IT COULD BE LIFE THREATENING. *TR
Mileage: 107,000
20040916CrashAIR BAGS
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION AND NONE OF THE SIX AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED BRUISING AND LOWER BACK PAIN. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
Mileage: 61,000
20031006CHILD SEAT
THE PLASTIC HARNESS RETAINER LATCH FOR THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT BROKE OFF WHILE THE CHILD WAS IN THE SEAT. MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE PROBLEM AND WANTED TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM, BUT THE CONSUMER DID NOT TRUST THIS PARTICULAR SEAT ANYMORE. *AK
Mileage: 80,000
20030926ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN OUT OF A BUSINESS ONTO HIGHWAY 59 SOUTH , INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. IT WAS RAINING, I HAD TURNED ON MY TURN SIGNAL AND I WAS TURNING ON MY WIPERS, AS I TURNED MY MY WINDSHEILD WIPER THE KNOB CAUGHT INSIDE MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKING ME FROM TURNING. I HAD ONCOMING TRAFFIC COMING AT ME SO I YANKED REAL HARD AND BROKE THE WIPER KNOB.I DO NOT KNOW HOW THAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED. I WOULD LIKE TO KOW IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD THAT TYPE OF PROBLEM. IF THE KNOB HAD NOT BROKEN, I WOULD HAVE BEEN BROAD SIDED BY TWO LANES OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. TALK ABOUT WEAK KNEES...I HAVE NOT REAPIRED YET, AFRAID IT MAY HAPPEN AGAIN.
20010126FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS
FUEL INJECTORS WERE BAD, THEY LEAKED QUITE A BIT OF FUEL.CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER SAID IT SHOULD JUST BE FLUSHED. BUT, WHEN TAKEN TO A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC,MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT IT WAS BAD. ON RAINING DAYS IT WOULD GET WORSE. FROM TIME TO TIME VEHICLE WILL NOT TURN ON. *AK
20001026CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD, CRASHING INTO A BUILDING AND CAUSING SERIOUS DAMAGE. NO PRIOR PROBLEMS REGARDING THIS COMPLIANT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
20000823ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
WHEN I TURNED THE KEY TO START MY CAR THAT MORNING THE BATTERY BLEW UP. IT HAD ENOUGH FORCE THAT IT DAMAGED MY HOOD. WHEN I TOLD MY SERVICE ADVISOR ABOUT IT SHE DIDN'T SOUND AT ALL SUPRISED. SHE MERELY TOLD ME THAT THE BATTERY MUST HAVE GOTTEN TOO DRY. LATER I TOLD HER THAT THE BATTERY SHOULDN'T HAVE EXPLODED LIKE THAT EVEN IF IT WAS DRY. I SAID I HAD NEVER KNOWN ANYONE WHO HAD A BOTTERY BLOW UP LIKE THAT, AND SHE SAID "OH, IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME." SHE WENT ON TO TELL ME THAT THEY HAVE "ABOUT ONE PER WEEK." THIS SEEMS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO ME BECAUSE SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY INJURED IF THEY HAD THEIR FACE ANYWHERE CLOSE TO THAT BATTERY WHEN I TURNED THE IGNITION. *AK
19991129ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
HORN FAILED. YH
19970407CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING INTO DRIVEWAY, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, DRIVER LOST CONTROL, RAN INTO GARAGE. *AK
19970407CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING INTO THE DRIVEWAY, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, RAN INTO GARAGE; PUSHED MERCEDES (INSIDE GARAGE) ABOUT 28 INCHES AGAINST THE WALL. TOOK TO DEALER, DID NOT FIND A PROBLEM. *AK
19960708CrashSUSPENSION:FRONT
STEERING WHEEL BEGAN JERKING LEFT AND RIGHT AND VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL. *AK
19960708CrashSTEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
STEERING WHEEL BEGAN JERKING LEFT AND RIGHT AND VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL. *AK
Compare 1997INFINITIJ30 to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
PE23023Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Complete loss of motive power due to engine failure
RQ15001Recall QueryClosed
Occupant Classification System Failure
PE15001Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Improper Frontal Air Bag Deployment
PE14034Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Steering column separation
PE12022Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Collision Mitigation System Malfunction
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1997 INFINITI J30 have?▼
The 1997 INFINITI J30 has 13 NHTSA complaints, 6 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1997 INFINITI J30?▼
The most-complained component for the 1997 INFINITI J30 is VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN and SUSPENSION:FRONT.
Is the 1997 INFINITI J30 safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.