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Research · Subcompact Cars

1997 Infiniti J30Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 11 owner complaints for the 1997 Infiniti J30. Most complaints involve electrical system (3) and vehicle speed control (3). The EPA rates it 18 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
18mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
11
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$4,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 1997 Infiniti J30 as of Oct 29, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 29, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

11 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jul 1996 – Mar 2010
  1. Electrical system3
  2. Vehicle speed control3
  3. Structure1
  4. Latches/locks/linkages1
  5. Air bags1
  6. Child seat1
  7. Fuel system, gasoline1
  8. Steering1
  9. Suspension1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each J30 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
19966
199711
Crashes reported
5
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
3
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

3 reports
“WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN OUT OF A BUSINESS ONTO HIGHWAY 59 SOUTH , INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. IT WAS RAINING, I HAD TURNED ON MY TURN SIGNAL AND I WAS TURNING ON MY WIPERS, AS I TURNED MY MY WINDSHEILD WIPER THE KNOB CAUGHT INSIDE MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKING ME FROM TURNING. I HAD ONCOMING TRAFFIC COMING AT ME SO I YANKED REAL HARD AND BROKE THE WIPER KNOB.I DO NOT KNOW HOW THAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED. I WOULD LIKE TO KOW IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD THAT TYPE OF PROBLEM. IF THE KNOB HAD NOT BROKEN, I WOULD HAVE BEEN BROAD SIDED BY TWO LANES OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. TALK ABOUT WEAK KNEES...I HAVE NOT REAPIRED YET, AFRAID IT MAY HAPPEN AGAIN.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 26, 2003Electrical systemODI 10039574

Vehicle speed control

3 reports3 crashes
“WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD, CRASHING INTO A BUILDING AND CAUSING SERIOUS DAMAGE. NO PRIOR PROBLEMS REGARDING THIS COMPLIANT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 26, 2000Vehicle speed controlCrash reportedODI 873884

Structure

1 report
“THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR STOPPED WORKING , A MONTH LATER THE REAR DRIVERS DOOR STOPPED WORKING, 2 WEEKS LATER THE DRIVERS DOOR STOPPED WORKING ON MY 1997 INFINITI J30 (WHICH I PURCHASED NEW, ONLY 107,000 MILES ON IT).NOW THE ONLY DOOR THAT WORKS IS THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR. THERE ARE NO BLOWN FUSES. IT SEEMS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ACTUATOR THAT ELECTRONICALLY OPENS AND CLOSES THE MECHANISM. IF THE OTHER DOOR FAILS , I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ENTER OR EXIT THE VEHICLE. IF THIS SHOULD HAPPEN WHILE I AM DRIVING THE VEHICLE, IT COULD BE LIFE THREATENING. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 12, 2010Structure, Latches/locks/linkagesODI 10319355
All 1997 J30 problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Subcompact Cars
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Rear-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 29, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
J30
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162218$4,400494
  • J30
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    16 city · 22 hwy · $4,400/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1997 Infiniti J30 as of Oct 29, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 29, 2026
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat 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.
09 —FAQ

1997 J30 questions

How many recalls does the 1997 Infiniti J30 have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Oct 29, 2026.

What are the most common 1997 Infiniti J30 problems?

Owners filed 11 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (3), vehicle speed control (3), structure (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1997 Infiniti J30 get?

The EPA rates the 1997 Infiniti J30 at 18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 29, 2026