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1997 Infiniti QX4

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1997 Infiniti QX4 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 29.

About this comparison →
45Owner complaints

Model-year median: 29

2Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
45
199729
199843
199928
2000
Compare all QX4 years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Suspension
20Steering
11Engine And Engine Cooling
4Structure
3Tires
3
All reported categories
Power Train
2Seat Belts
2Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2Unknown Or Other
2Vehicle Speed Control
2Wheels
2Air Bags
1Electronic Stability Control (esc)
1Equipment
1Seats
1Traction Control System
1Visibility
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

22 reports with mileage · 23 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Suspension. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports0 fire reports4 injury reports

Steering complaints

11 reports
Clear category filter
154,000 miles · May 5, 2023
SteeringSuspension

The contact owns a 1997 Infiniti QX4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V244000 (Steering, Suspension). The contact stated while driving at 35 MPH and other various speeds over bumps in the roadway, the vehicle was shaking abnormally with the steering wheel becoming difficult to turn to the left or to…

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The contact owns a 1997 Infiniti QX4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V244000 (Steering, Suspension). The contact stated while driving at 35 MPH and other various speeds over bumps in the roadway, the vehicle was shaking abnormally with the steering wheel becoming difficult to turn to the left or to the right. Additionally, the contact heard abnormal metal on metal grinding sounds particularly while turning the vehicle to the left or the right. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer and was advised that the vehicle had failed a safety inspection and he would be contacted by a third party to buy back the vehicle. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 154,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI #11520613

254,432 miles · Jul 19, 2019
SteeringSuspension

I HAD MY CAR SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY DETAILING IT. I'VE ALWAYS TOOK EXCEPTIONAL CARE OF MY VEHICLES AND ONE THING I'VE ALWAYS DONE WAS MADE SURE THE UNDERCOATING WAS TOP-NOTCH. AS I PROCEEDED TO UNDERCOAT THE INSIDE OF THE FRONT FENDER WELLS ON MY 97 QX4 I NOTICED SOME RUST FORMING BEHIND THE STRUT TOWER. SOME OF IT WAS FLAKY AND…

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I HAD MY CAR SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY DETAILING IT. I'VE ALWAYS TOOK EXCEPTIONAL CARE OF MY VEHICLES AND ONE THING I'VE ALWAYS DONE WAS MADE SURE THE UNDERCOATING WAS TOP-NOTCH. AS I PROCEEDED TO UNDERCOAT THE INSIDE OF THE FRONT FENDER WELLS ON MY 97 QX4 I NOTICED SOME RUST FORMING BEHIND THE STRUT TOWER. SOME OF IT WAS FLAKY AND SOME OF IT WAS RAISED RUST. I TOOK MY SCRAPER AND LO AND BEHOLD FOUND A HOLE BEHIND THE STRUT TOWER. I CONTINUED TO SCRAPE AND CLEAN THE HOLE AND THE AREA ACCORDING TO THE RECALL CAMPAIGN FROM INFINITY AND I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT VEHICLE SAFETY AND THE RUST BEHIND THE STRUT TOWER ON DRIVERS SIDE.I HAVE YET TO CHECK MY PASSENGER SIDE SINCE THE DRIVER SIDE HAS ISSUES I WANTED TO GO AHEAD AND NOTIFY YOU GUYS. I KNOW THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE STRUT TOWER ON NISSAN PATHFINDERS AND INFINITI QX4S 96 THROUGH 2004. I HAVE A 96 PATHFINDER ALSO THAT JUST LAST WEEK I TALKED TO A REPRESENTATIVE FROM NISSAN NORTH AMERICA AND IT STILL HAS A OPEN RECALL CONCERNING THE STRUT TOWER. I LIVE IN TENNESSEE AND BY THE RECALL TENNESSEE IS NOT LISTED AS ONE OF THE SALT STATES BUT YET THAT IS WHERE MY PATHFINDER IS REGISTERED AND IT HAS A RECALL THAT NEEDS TO BE PERFORMED ON THE STRUT TOWER SO I'M WONDERING IF MY QX4 WHICH IS A 97 MODEL HAS HAD A RECALL PERFORMED ON IT OR IF THE RECALL EVEN CONCERNS MY QX4 IT CLEARLY HAS RUST BEHIND THE STRUT TOWER ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND REGISTERED IN TENNESSEE. PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS ISSUE I HAD MY SEAT BELTS REPLACED IN MY QX4 6 MONTHS AGO AND WHEN I HAD IT IN THERE I SAID SOMETHING ABOUT CHECKING MY STRUT TOWERS BUT ON MY TICKET THEY GAVE ME IT DOESN'T LIST ANYTHING ABOUT THEM CHECKING THE STRUT TOWERS CAMPAIGN # R1109 NHTSA # 11V-244 APPLIED VEHICLES 97-03 QX4 (JR50) I NEED TO KNOW WHAT MY NEXT ACTION SHOULD BE AND WHETHER OR NOT THIS RECALL HAS BEEN PERFORMED PLEASE HELP GOD BLESS AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH

NHTSA ODI #11233265

105,460 miles · Feb 9, 2016
SteeringSuspensionUnknown Or Other

ALL 1997 THRU 2003 FRAME SUSPENSION, SUSPENSION BODY PANELS WERE IMPROPERLY UNDERCOATED TO PREVENT RUSTING. WARNING WAS ISSUED IN 2011, AS THIRD OWNER OF VEHICLE, I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED. CAUSING IMMINENT BODY HARM AND POSSIBLY DEATH. INFINITY WAS TOTALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR FOLLOW THRU, AND SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR MY $20,000 LO…

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ALL 1997 THRU 2003 FRAME SUSPENSION, SUSPENSION BODY PANELS WERE IMPROPERLY UNDERCOATED TO PREVENT RUSTING. WARNING WAS ISSUED IN 2011, AS THIRD OWNER OF VEHICLE, I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED. CAUSING IMMINENT BODY HARM AND POSSIBLY DEATH. INFINITY WAS TOTALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR FOLLOW THRU, AND SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR MY $20,000 LOSS, NOT TO MENTION RISK TO MY LIFE. THANKS A LOT YOU MONEY MONGERS! YOU SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR FAILURE OF NOTIFICATION.

NHTSA ODI #10825232

105,000 miles · Nov 6, 2015
SteeringSuspension

MASSIVE RUST OF FRAME AND UNIT BODY SUSPENSION COMPONENTS CAUSING A SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING, BRAKING AND CONTROL OF VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CAUSE IS NO RUST UNDER COATING, POOR DESIGN, POOR WELDS, PRONE TO TEAR LOOSE FROM FIREWALL AND FRAME CAUSING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AND POSSIBLY MY OWN DEATH. THEN THEIR REFUSAL TO COMPEN…

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MASSIVE RUST OF FRAME AND UNIT BODY SUSPENSION COMPONENTS CAUSING A SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING, BRAKING AND CONTROL OF VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CAUSE IS NO RUST UNDER COATING, POOR DESIGN, POOR WELDS, PRONE TO TEAR LOOSE FROM FIREWALL AND FRAME CAUSING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AND POSSIBLY MY OWN DEATH. THEN THEIR REFUSAL TO COMPENSATE IN ANY WAY FOR THEIR DESIGN ERRORS IS UNACCEPTABLE. THERE WAS A SUDDEN DROP OF MY VEHICLE HEIGHT AT THE DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL ALMOST CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. A WARNING LETTER AVAILABLE IN 2011 WAS NEVER SENT TO ME, POSSIBLY MAKING IT POSSIBLE TO REPAIR. UPDATED 03/10/16.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10788749

240 miles · Apr 29, 2014
SteeringSuspension

I BOUGHT A 1997 INFINITI FROM CARS UNLIMITED; OWNER[XXX] I BOUGHT 'AS IS'. ALTHOUGH DEALER OWNER WAS NON-INTEGRAL, LIED AND TOLD ME VEHICLE WAS IN GOOD CONDITION AND SAFE, HE IS NOT LIABLE UNDER RULE BY THE AS IS. VEHICLE IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO OVER 6 MECHANICS BY NOW. ALL TELL ME VEHICLE IS EXTREMELY U…

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I BOUGHT A 1997 INFINITI FROM CARS UNLIMITED; OWNER[XXX] I BOUGHT 'AS IS'. ALTHOUGH DEALER OWNER WAS NON-INTEGRAL, LIED AND TOLD ME VEHICLE WAS IN GOOD CONDITION AND SAFE, HE IS NOT LIABLE UNDER RULE BY THE AS IS. VEHICLE IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO OVER 6 MECHANICS BY NOW. ALL TELL ME VEHICLE IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE. I TRIED MAKING IT SAFER SINCE I AM STUCK WITH IT BY CHANGING THE SHOCKS AND THE TRAILER STABILIZER BAR AFTER I LEARNED IT HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE PASSENGER SIDE BAR WAS BENT. THAT BY NO MEANS FIXED THE EARTHQUAKE SWAYING AND THE AWFUL REAR END FISH-TAILING ALL OVER THE ROAD. CAN'T DRIVE IT IN THE RAIN. CAN'T GET CAUGHT IN THE RAIN, IT SLIDES INTO OTHER PEOPLE'S LANES. COPS LOOK AT ME CRAZY AS IF I'M DRUNK. I DRIVE 40 MILES OR LESS TO KEEP FROM GETTING PULLED OVER. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WHO HANDLED THE PREVIOUS DRIVERS' CLAIM SHOULD HAVE SALVAGED IT. IT LOOKS SUPER PRETTY ON THE OUTSIDE. WILL FOOL A LOT OF WOMEN INTO BUYING IT. NOT SAFE! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *JS

NHTSA ODI #10585567

120,000 miles · Feb 14, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingSteeringSuspensionCrashInjury

AT 6:45 A.M CAR TRAVELING DOWN FREEZELAND ROAD, LINDEN, VA AT ABOUT 30MPH. WEATHER CONDITIONS: CLEAR, DRY. ROAD CONDITIONS: NO DEFECTS, OIL OR OTHER TRACTION FAULTS THAT WOULD CAUSE ACCIDENT. QX4 AS DESCRIBED BY WITNESS TO POLICE LOOKED AT THOUGH REAR OF VEHICLE BODY WAS ACTING INDEPENDENT OF BODY FRAME. AT THIS POINT DRIVER COU…

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AT 6:45 A.M CAR TRAVELING DOWN FREEZELAND ROAD, LINDEN, VA AT ABOUT 30MPH. WEATHER CONDITIONS: CLEAR, DRY. ROAD CONDITIONS: NO DEFECTS, OIL OR OTHER TRACTION FAULTS THAT WOULD CAUSE ACCIDENT. QX4 AS DESCRIBED BY WITNESS TO POLICE LOOKED AT THOUGH REAR OF VEHICLE BODY WAS ACTING INDEPENDENT OF BODY FRAME. AT THIS POINT DRIVER COULD NOT RECOVER, HAD NO TIME TO BRAKE, STEERING WOULD NOT RESPOND. QX4 WOULD NOT RESPOND AND CONTINUED STRAIGHT UP AN EMBANKMENT, HIT LARGE BOLDER AND FLIPPED ONTO PASSENGER SIDE. DRIVER WAS PULLED FROM VEHICLE BY RETIRED EMT. DRIVER SUSTAINED RIGHT KNEE INJURIES INCLUDING FRACTURE TO LOWER LEG DIRECTLY BELOW KNEE, LIGAMENT DAMAGE STILL BEING EVALUATED. DRIVER WAS NOT GIVEN CITATION BY VIRGINIA STATE POLICE, DUE TO DRIVER AND WITNESS STATEMENTS. STATE POLICE INDICATED THAT IT APPEARED TO BE A MAJOR MECHANICAL FAILURE. POLICE TROOPER INDICATED THAT 99 OUT OF 100 DRIVER IN SINGLE VEHICLE ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE RECEIVED A TICKET FOR WRECKLESS DRIVING. CAR HAS BEEN DETERMINED TO BE A TOTAL LOSS. IT IS CURRENTLY IN IMPOUND AT A FRONT ROYAL LOT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10447928

172,000 miles · Mar 23, 2011
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 INFINITI QX4. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 25 MPH AND BEGAN TO HAVE TROUBLE CONTROLLING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS CORROSION IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND SHE NEEDED A NEW VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY HAD THE STRUTS AND SUSPENSION REPLA…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 INFINITI QX4. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 25 MPH AND BEGAN TO HAVE TROUBLE CONTROLLING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS CORROSION IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND SHE NEEDED A NEW VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY HAD THE STRUTS AND SUSPENSION REPLACED A YEAR EARLIER BECAUSE OF CORROSION AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN GOOD SHAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE, BECAUSE OF THE CORROSION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 174,000. UPDATED 05/20/11*LJ UPDATED 1/5/12 *CN

NHTSA ODI #10392583

245,000 miles · Mar 22, 2011
SteeringSuspension

WHILE ON INTERSTATE 10, THE QX4 SHAKES UNCONTROLLABLY WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND THE STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT TURN IN PORTION TO THE ROTATION OF TURNING THE WHEEL. CHANGED THE STRUTS IN THE FRONT AND THE BACK AND SHOCKS WITHOUT ANY PROGRESS.

NHTSA ODI #10393230

150,000 miles · Feb 2, 2011
Steering

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 S…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10379960

Mileage unknown · Nov 16, 2007
SteeringSuspensionTires

MY 1997 INFINITI QX4 STARTED TO HAVE A SIDE TO SIDE WOBBLE. IT GOT WORSE OVER TIME. NOW I CAN BARELY DRIVE ON THE FREEWAY. AT SPEEDS OF ABOUT 50-65 IT WOBBLES TO THE POINT THAT IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. I BOUGHT AN INFINITI FOR THE SAFETY AND I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN IT ANYMORE. I HAVE REPLACED SHOCKS, TIRES, HAVE DONE TIRE BALANCING, …

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MY 1997 INFINITI QX4 STARTED TO HAVE A SIDE TO SIDE WOBBLE. IT GOT WORSE OVER TIME. NOW I CAN BARELY DRIVE ON THE FREEWAY. AT SPEEDS OF ABOUT 50-65 IT WOBBLES TO THE POINT THAT IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. I BOUGHT AN INFINITI FOR THE SAFETY AND I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN IT ANYMORE. I HAVE REPLACED SHOCKS, TIRES, HAVE DONE TIRE BALANCING, WHEEL ALIGNMENT. NONE HAVE DONE ANYTHING TO REMOTELY FIX THE PROBLEM. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. A RECALL IS NEEDED FOR THE PATHFINDER AND QX4. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10209109

Official recalls

2

11V244000 · Steering:column; Suspension:front

Apr 20, 2011

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 & remedy

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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Suspension:front

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.

Steering:column

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.

07V435000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap

Sep 18, 2007

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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE11004 · Frame/body Structure Corrosion

Opened Jan 28, 2011 · Closed Jun 30, 2011

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:column; Suspension; Suspension:front; Suspension:front:macpherson Strut; Suspension:front:shock Absorber

In their Defect Information Report (DIR) of April 20, 2011, Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) notified NHTSA that it would conduct a safety recall of certain 1996-2004 Nissan Pathfinder and 1997-2003 Infinity QX4 vehicles to repair corrosion damage to the driver's side front strut tower.The vehicles included in the recall are those that were originally sold, or are currently registered in salt belt states including Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.The DIR states in part, ...the strut housing may crack and pull away from the inner hood ledge assembly.This could lead to the strut housing panel separating and contacting the steering column lower shaft.Contact with the steering column lower shaft can cause steering difficulties and may require an increase in steering effort by the driver.If the steering column lower shaft completely fractured it would result in a total loss of steering control.In some cases, the strut housing panel can contact or affect adjacent brake system components.Complainants reported experiencing either steering or brake system issues, and in some cases, both.Nissan dealer's will inspect the strut housing and, based on the level of corrosion found, make an assessment as to how to remedy the vehicle (see defect information report for additional details). Brake system components adjacent to, and in the area of, the strut tower (i.e., brake master cylinder, left front brake line, ABS wire harness, etc.) will also be inspected.

Additional source detail variants (6)

Steering:column

In their Defect Information Report (DIR) of April 20, 2011, Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) notified NHTSA that it would conduct a safety recall of certain 1996-2004 Nissan Pathfinder and 1997-2003 Infinity QX4 vehicles to repair corrosion damage to the driver's side front strut tower.The vehicles included in the recall are those that were originally sold, or are currently registered in salt belt states including Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.The DIR states in part, ...the strut housing may crack and pull away from the inner hood ledge assembly.This could lead to the strut housing panel separating and contacting the steering column lower shaft.Contact with the steering column lower shaft can cause steering difficulties and may require an increase in steering effort by the driver.If the steering column lower shaft completely fractured it would result in a total loss of steering control.In some cases, the strut housing panel can contact or affect adjacent brake system components.Complainants reported experiencing either steering or brake system issues, and in some cases, both.Nissan dealer's will inspect the strut housing and, based on the level of corrosion found, make an assessment as to how to remedy the vehicle (see defect information report for additional details). Brake system components adjacent to, and in the area of, the strut tower (i.e., brake master cylinder, left front brake line, ABS wire harness, etc.) will also be inspected.

Steering

In their Defect Information Report (DIR) of April 20, 2011, Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) notified NHTSA that it would conduct a safety recall of certain 1996-2004 Nissan Pathfinder and 1997-2003 Infinity QX4 vehicles to repair corrosion damage to the driver's side front strut tower.The vehicles included in the recall are those that were originally sold, or are currently registered in salt belt states including Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.The DIR states in part, ...the strut housing may crack and pull away from the inner hood ledge assembly.This could lead to the strut housing panel separating and contacting the steering column lower shaft.Contact with the steering column lower shaft can cause steering difficulties and may require an increase in steering effort by the driver.If the steering column lower shaft completely fractured it would result in a total loss of steering control.In some cases, the strut housing panel can contact or affect adjacent brake system components.Complainants reported experiencing either steering or brake system issues, and in some cases, both.Nissan dealer's will inspect the strut housing and, based on the level of corrosion found, make an assessment as to how to remedy the vehicle (see defect information report for additional details). Brake system components adjacent to, and in the area of, the strut tower (i.e., brake master cylinder, left front brake line, ABS wire harness, etc.) will also be inspected.

Suspension:front:macpherson Strut

In their Defect Information Report (DIR) of April 20, 2011, Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) notified NHTSA that it would conduct a safety recall of certain 1996-2004 Nissan Pathfinder and 1997-2003 Infinity QX4 vehicles to repair corrosion damage to the driver's side front strut tower.The vehicles included in the recall are those that were originally sold, or are currently registered in salt belt states including Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.The DIR states in part, ...the strut housing may crack and pull away from the inner hood ledge assembly.This could lead to the strut housing panel separating and contacting the steering column lower shaft.Contact with the steering column lower shaft can cause steering difficulties and may require an increase in steering effort by the driver.If the steering column lower shaft completely fractured it would result in a total loss of steering control.In some cases, the strut housing panel can contact or affect adjacent brake system components.Complainants reported experiencing either steering or brake system issues, and in some cases, both.Nissan dealer's will inspect the strut housing and, based on the level of corrosion found, make an assessment as to how to remedy the vehicle (see defect information report for additional details). Brake system components adjacent to, and in the area of, the strut tower (i.e., brake master cylinder, left front brake line, ABS wire harness, etc.) will also be inspected.

Suspension:front

In their Defect Information Report (DIR) of April 20, 2011, Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) notified NHTSA that it would conduct a safety recall of certain 1996-2004 Nissan Pathfinder and 1997-2003 Infinity QX4 vehicles to repair corrosion damage to the driver's side front strut tower.The vehicles included in the recall are those that were originally sold, or are currently registered in salt belt states including Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.The DIR states in part, ...the strut housing may crack and pull away from the inner hood ledge assembly.This could lead to the strut housing panel separating and contacting the steering column lower shaft.Contact with the steering column lower shaft can cause steering difficulties and may require an increase in steering effort by the driver.If the steering column lower shaft completely fractured it would result in a total loss of steering control.In some cases, the strut housing panel can contact or affect adjacent brake system components.Complainants reported experiencing either steering or brake system issues, and in some cases, both.Nissan dealer's will inspect the strut housing and, based on the level of corrosion found, make an assessment as to how to remedy the vehicle (see defect information report for additional details). Brake system components adjacent to, and in the area of, the strut tower (i.e., brake master cylinder, left front brake line, ABS wire harness, etc.) will also be inspected.

Suspension:front:shock Absorber

In their Defect Information Report (DIR) of April 20, 2011, Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) notified NHTSA that it would conduct a safety recall of certain 1996-2004 Nissan Pathfinder and 1997-2003 Infinity QX4 vehicles to repair corrosion damage to the driver's side front strut tower.The vehicles included in the recall are those that were originally sold, or are currently registered in salt belt states including Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.The DIR states in part, ...the strut housing may crack and pull away from the inner hood ledge assembly.This could lead to the strut housing panel separating and contacting the steering column lower shaft.Contact with the steering column lower shaft can cause steering difficulties and may require an increase in steering effort by the driver.If the steering column lower shaft completely fractured it would result in a total loss of steering control.In some cases, the strut housing panel can contact or affect adjacent brake system components.Complainants reported experiencing either steering or brake system issues, and in some cases, both.Nissan dealer's will inspect the strut housing and, based on the level of corrosion found, make an assessment as to how to remedy the vehicle (see defect information report for additional details). Brake system components adjacent to, and in the area of, the strut tower (i.e., brake master cylinder, left front brake line, ABS wire harness, etc.) will also be inspected.

Suspension

In their Defect Information Report (DIR) of April 20, 2011, Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) notified NHTSA that it would conduct a safety recall of certain 1996-2004 Nissan Pathfinder and 1997-2003 Infinity QX4 vehicles to repair corrosion damage to the driver's side front strut tower.The vehicles included in the recall are those that were originally sold, or are currently registered in salt belt states including Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.The DIR states in part, ...the strut housing may crack and pull away from the inner hood ledge assembly.This could lead to the strut housing panel separating and contacting the steering column lower shaft.Contact with the steering column lower shaft can cause steering difficulties and may require an increase in steering effort by the driver.If the steering column lower shaft completely fractured it would result in a total loss of steering control.In some cases, the strut housing panel can contact or affect adjacent brake system components.Complainants reported experiencing either steering or brake system issues, and in some cases, both.Nissan dealer's will inspect the strut housing and, based on the level of corrosion found, make an assessment as to how to remedy the vehicle (see defect information report for additional details). Brake system components adjacent to, and in the area of, the strut tower (i.e., brake master cylinder, left front brake line, ABS wire harness, etc.) will also be inspected.