1997 Infiniti QX4 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
36 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
127,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 22 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 15 of 36 complaints (41.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 10 | 27.8% |
| Braking behavior | 6 | 16.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Suspension | 15 |
| Steering | 10 |
| Suspension:Front | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Tires | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
Suspension: 15; Steering: 10; Suspension:Front: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Tires: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Air Bags:Frontal: 1; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 10 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 10
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 14 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 4 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 7 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2000: 4; 2001: 1; 2002: 2; 2003: 2; 2004: 1; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 2; 2010: 1; 2011: 7; 2012: 5; 2014: 2; 2015: 2; 2016: 1; 2018: 1; 2019: 1; 2021: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Suspension leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10379931 · 2011-02-02 (February 2, 2011)
THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE STRUT TOWER RUSTED OUT ON MY 1997 INFINITI QX4. PART OF THE STRUT TOWER SHEARED, CREATING AN OBSTRUCTION THAT INTERFERED WITH VEHICLE STEERING. I WAS NOTIFIED OF THIS PROBLEM BY MY MECHANIC AFTER I ASKED HIM TO INSPECT THE SHOCKS AND STRUTS TO SEE IF THEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. MY MECHANIC ADVISED ME TO PARK THE CAR UNTIL IT COULD BE REPAIRED SINCE IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 135,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10379931 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10379960 · 2011-02-02 (February 2, 2011)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 INFINITI QX4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING 50 MPH OR MORE AND IT HIT A BUMP, THE STEERING BECAME UNSTABLE. THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THE CONTACT FELT AS IF HE WOULD LOSE CONTROL. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE STRUTS AND SHOCKS TWICE AND HAD THE LOWER TIE ROD, TIRE AND STEERING RACK REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 210,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 150,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10379960 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10334939 · 2010-06-07 (June 7, 2010)
SIDE TO SIDE VEHICLE SHAKE. AT SPEEDS OVER 40 MPH ANY BUMP WILL SEND THE CAR INTO A VIOLENT SHAKE THAT CAN ONLY BE STOPPED BY APPLYING THE BRAKES. I REPLACED STRUTS, BALANCED TIRES AND HAD WHEEL ALIGNMENT, YET THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 150,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10334939 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10444248 · 2012-01-17 (January 17, 2012)
MY HUSBAND AND I WERE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON JANUARY 24TH 2010, WHILE TRAVELING N. ON STATE HWY 87 GOING TOWARDS PAYSON, AZ ALTHOUGH THERE HAD BEEN A LOT OF SNOW IN THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS THE ROADS WERE CLEAR AND APPEARED DRY. THE INCIDENT BEGAN WHEN I APPARENTLY ENCOUNTERED A PATCH OF BLACK ICE AS I BEGAN ACROSS A BRIDGE. I FELT THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE QUICKLY SLIDE LEFT. BECAUSE OF MY EXPERIENCE IN HANDLING THIS VEHICLE AND HOW WELL THIS VEHICLE HANDLES, I WAS EXTREMELY CONFIDENT IN MY ABILITY TO RECOVER FROM THE SLIDING WITHOUT INCI…
Owner-reported narrative. 263,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10444248 at NHTSA ↗