VehicleVerdict

1998 Infiniti QX4 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1998 Infiniti QX4 sits mid-pack among QX4 years: 46 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 46, with 2 recalls and one closed investigation.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across suspension (10), steering (6), and speed control (5), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

46

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

1

Investigations

11

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other QX4 years?

QX4 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted93 complaints1997: 60 complaints1998: 46 complaints1999: 69 complaints2000: 40 complaints2001: 93 complaints2002: 54 complaints2003: 25 complaints2004: 1 complaints2006: 1 complaints
QX4 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all QX4 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Infiniti QX4 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Suspension1022%
Steering613%
Speed Control511%
Body & Structure511%
Fuel System511%
Brakes49%
Transmission37%
Engine24%
Tires & Wheels24%
Airbags24%
Other12%
Electrical System12%

Does the 1998 Infiniti QX4 have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

11V244000SuspensionApril 20, 2011 · 195,991 units

Defect

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1996-2004 PATHFINDER AND MODEL YEAR 1997-2003 INFINITI QX4 VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WASHINGTON D.C., WEST VIRGINIA AND WISCONSIN. IN AREAS OF THE COUNTRY IN WHICH HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT ARE USED, A MIXTURE OF SNOW/WATER AND SALT MAY ENTER AN ASSEMBLY LOCATION HOLE IN THE UPPER STRUT HOUSING, CAUSING WATER TO COLLECT AT THE MATING SURFACE OF THE STRUT HOUSING PANEL AND THE INNER HOOD LEDGE ASSEMBLY. OVER TIME, THIS SNOW/WATER AND SALT INTRUSION MAY RESULT IN CORROSION OF THE STRUT TOWER HOUSING IN SOME SUBJECT VEHICLES.

Consequence

THE STRUT HOUSING MAY CRACK AND PULL AWAY FROM THE INNER HOOD LEDGE ASSEMBLY. THIS MAY LEAD TO GRINDING NOISES, INCREASED STEERING EFFORT, AND POSSIBLY THE STEERING COLUMN TO BREAK, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

NISSAN WILL INSPECT THE STRUT HOUSING AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM NOTIFICATION LETTER WAS SENT OUT IN MAY 2011. THE SECOND NOTICE WAS MAILED ON JULY 25, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

07V435000Fuel SystemSeptember 18, 2007 · 372,250 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, TENNESSEE, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA , WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, DURING THE COATING PROCESS OF THE FUEL FILLER TUBE ASSEMBLY, AN INSUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF COATING MAY HAVE BEEN APPLIED AT THE LOWER MOUNTING BRACKET. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN OPENING IN THE COATING WHICH CAN ALLOW WATER TO ENTER AND MAKE CONTACT WITH THE BARE METAL OF THE TUBE.

Consequence

THIS MAY RESULT IN SURFACE RUST BUT NOT PERFORATION OF THE TUBE. HOWEVER, IN THOSE AREAS OF THE COUNTRY WHICH USE HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT IN THE WINTER, IF A MIXTURE OF SNOW/WATER AND SALT MAKES CONTACT WITH THE BARE METAL, CORROSION MAY OCCUR TO A DEGREE WHICH RESULTS IN PERFORATION OF THE TUBE. IN THIS CASE FUEL LEAKAGE MAY OCCUR WHEN FILLING THE TANK. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILLER TUBE ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ONE WITH AN IMPROVED COATING PROCESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 26, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“WHEN YOU LET OFF THE GAS PEDDLE THE REAREND STARTS A VIOLENTLY SHAKEING BACK AND FORTH AND WILL CAUSE YOU TO DRIVE OVER SOMETHING OR SOMEONE DUE TO DEFECTIVE BUSHINGS!!!HOW CAN THEY SELL US CRAP THAT CAN COST THE LIVES OF SO MANY PEOPLE AND NOT HONOR A RECALL ON REAR BUSHINGS...I NEARLY SHUT DOWN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · July 8, 2019 · crash

“AS I PASSED THROUGH AN INTERSECTION, A VEHICLE WENT THROUGH A RED LIGHT. I TRIED TO VEER TO AVOID HIM, BUT THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED. AS A RESULT OF THIS EQUIPMENT FAILURE, THE CAR STRUCK MY VEHICLE AND MY CAR WAS TOTALLED. AFTER MY CAR WAS SCRAPPED, I RECEIVED THE SAFETY RECALL NOTICE.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · May 10, 2011 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 INFINITI QX4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 9/4/13 *CN”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · August 5, 2013

“WHILE LOOKING FOR A PARKING SPACE AND FOUND IT, TURNED INTO IT AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RACE. VEHICLE ACCELERATED, HITTING ANOTHER AUTOMOBILE THAT WAS PARKED, DRIVING IT UP ON A GRASS HILL. VECHICLE DID NOT STOP. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · crash

“RECALL NUMBER 07V435000 COVER PATHFINDER AND QX4 BUT INFINITI WILL ONLY AUTHORIZE REPAIR AT INFINITI DEALERSHIP WHICH IS 2 HOURS AWAY. NISSAN DEALERSHIP IS ONLY MINUTES AWAY AND CAN DO REPAIR BUT INFINITI WON'T PREAUTHORIZE IT. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · January 14, 2008

1998 Infiniti QX4 — common questions

Is the 1998 Infiniti QX4 reliable?

It is close to typical for the QX4: 46 NHTSA complaints, 2 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 1998 QX4 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are suspension (10 complaints), steering (6 complaints), speed control (5 complaints).

Does the 1998 Infiniti QX4 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 Infiniti QX4. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1998 Infiniti QX4 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Infiniti QX4 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the QX4 years to avoid are 2001, 1999, 2002, 2003. The cleanest record among QX4 years belongs to 2006.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.