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U.S. public vehicle records

1998 Infiniti QX4 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

22 owner complaints analyzed

2 distinct recall campaigns

159,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 16 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 22 complaints (27.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Steering behavior627.3%
Braking behavior29.1%
Transmission and shifting14.5%

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.

Steering
6
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap
4
Suspension
4
Structure:Body
3
Suspension:Front
3
Structure:Frame And Members
2
Air Bags
1
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Steering6
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap4
Suspension4
Structure:Body3
Suspension:Front3
Structure:Frame And Members2
Air Bags1
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)1

Steering: 6; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap: 4; Suspension: 4; Structure:Body: 3; Suspension:Front: 3; Structure:Frame And Members: 2; Air Bags: 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.

Under 25,000
1
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
1
75,000 to 99,999
3
100,000 to 149,999
2
150,000 and above
9
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0001
25,000 to 49,9990
50,000 to 74,9991
75,000 to 99,9993
100,000 to 149,9992
150,000 and above9

Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 9

150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 6 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.

2000
1
2001
1
2003
1
2005
1
2008
1
2009
3
2011
7
2012
1
2013
2
2014
1
2016
1
2018
1
2019
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20001
20011
20031
20051
20081
20093
20117
20121
20132
20141
20161
20181
20191

2000: 1; 2001: 1; 2003: 1; 2005: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 3; 2011: 7; 2012: 1; 2013: 2; 2014: 1; 2016: 1; 2018: 1; 2019: 1

Pattern summary

Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 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 10286737 · 2009-10-08 (October 8, 2009)

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 …

Owner-reported narrative. 135,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10286737 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10376467 · 2011-01-13 (January 13, 2011)

FRAME FAILURE ON INFINITI QX4 AND NISSAN PATHFINDER; MODEL YEARS 1997-2001. FRAME FAILURE ON INFINITI AND NISSAN VEHICLES; FAILURE IN MANUFACTURING TO ADEQUATELY PROTECT FROM ABNORMAL CORROSION AND ROT, THE FRAME, UNDERCARRIAGE AND MOUNTING BRACKETS OF NISSAN AND INFINITI SUV VEHICLES. EXCESSIVE CORROSION AND ROT TO FRONT APRON AND FRAME OF INFINITI QX4 AND NISSAN PATHFINDER VEHICLES; SUSPECT ASSOCIATION WITH NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 07V435000. INSUFFICIENT PROTECTION OF FRAME FROM ABNORMAL AND PREMATURE CORROSION AND ROT; RESULTANT CATASTROPHIC …

Owner-reported narrative. 191,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10376467 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 882653 · 2001-03-09 (March 9, 2001)

WHENEVER ABS BRAKES WERE APPLIED, WOULD MAKE A CLUNKING SOUND. PROBLEM INTERMITTENT. HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND INFORMED BY MECHANIC THAT PROBLEM COULD NOT BE LOCATED. OWNER FELT IT SOUNDED LIKE "U" JOINT WENT OUT.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 882653 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10122012 · 2005-05-24 (May 24, 2005)

MY INFINITY 1998 QX4 HAS ABOUT 88000 MILES I BOUGHT A DEMO IN JAN "99 RECENTLY I HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AT A COST OF $3000.00. I TOOK IT TO A NISSAN DEALER BUT THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT WARANTY IT BECAUSE IT WAS AN INFINITY SO I TOOK IT TO AN AAMCO. WHO WARANTEED IT FOR I YEAR.I MUST HAVE CHANGED THE BRAKEPADS 3 TIMES AND ACCEPT FOR THE DRIVERS SEATBELT NONE OF THE SEATBELTS WORK, ALSO DURING THE FIRST YEAR THE TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED,I CONTACTED INFINITY AND LEARNED THAT TIRES THAT COME WITH NEW VEHICLES WERE NOT WARANTEED.THIS IS MY …

Owner-reported narrative. 86,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10122012 at NHTSA ↗