Research · Midsize Cars
1996 Infiniti I30Recalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 27 owner complaints for the 1996 Infiniti I30. Most complaints involve vehicle speed control (7) and visibility (4). The EPA rates it 21 mpg combined.
Combined MPG
21mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
27
Top: vehicle speed control
Fuel cost / yr
$3,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 1996 Infiniti I30 as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
27 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 1996 – Jan 2020
- Vehicle speed control7
- Visibility4
- Air bags3
- Tires3
- Suspension2
- Seat belts2
- Engine and engine cooling2
- Engine1
- Electrical system1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Vehicle speed control
7 reports1 crash
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 INFINITI I30. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, IT FAILED TO DEACTIVATE. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT WOULD DEPRESS THE CRUISE CONTROL BUTTON TO DEACTIVATE THE FEATURE. CURRENTLY, THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH UNLESS HE TURNED AND HELD THE STEERING WHEEL BEFORE TURNING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT CALLED CARDINALE NISSAN (LOCATED AT 1661 DEL MONTE BLVD, SEASIDE, CA 93955, (831) 322-4115) AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,141.”
Visibility
4 reports
“NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK”
Air bags
3 reports3 crashes
“WHILE DRIVING ON A CLEAR DAY, NO WET ROAD, ETC., ON SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2004, MY 1996 INFINITI I30 MYSTERIOUSLY WENT OUT OF CONTROL, WENT INTO A SLIDE, CROSSED A TWO LANE HIGHWAY, WENT DOWN AN ENBANKMENT, FLIPPED OVER, AND CRASHED TOP-FIRST INTO A TREE; DRIVING THE ROOF INTO THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE AIRBAGS NEVER DID EMPOLY. THE INVESTIGATING OFFICER DID NOT ISSUE A CITATION SINCE HE COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE FOR THE CAR GOING OUT OF CONTROL. I WAS CHECKED FOR SOBRIETY, ETC. AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT I WAS NOT IMPAIRED. ALL TIRES WERE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION, THERE WAS NOT A TIRE BLOWOUT. THE FRONT WAS ALIGNED ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO. THE TIRES WERE RECENTLY ROTATED AND BALANCED. THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS REPLACED AT THAT TIME BECAUSE THE TIRE HAD A SLIGHT INDENTATION DUE TO POSSIBLY HITTING A SIDE WALK CURVE.*AK”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
2 versions rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Midsize Cars
- Engines
- 3.0L 6-cyl
- Transmissions
- Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-spd
- Drive
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I30 Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,800 | 423 |
| I30 Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 24 | 21 | $3,800 | 423 |
- 21mpg comb.
- 21mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1996 Infiniti I30 as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026Vehicle 3633
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
- Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
6–12 months - Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
Every oil change - Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
1–2 years - Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
1–2 years - Brake fluid—
2–3 years - Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
5–10 years - Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
— - 12V battery—
3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
1996 I30 questions
How many recalls does the 1996 Infiniti I30 have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Oct 30, 2026.
What are the most common 1996 Infiniti I30 problems?
Owners filed 27 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are vehicle speed control (7), visibility (4), air bags (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 1996 Infiniti I30 get?
The EPA rates the 1996 Infiniti I30 at 21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026