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Research · Special Purpose Vehicle 4WD

1998 Infiniti QX4Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 29 owner complaints for the 1998 Infiniti QX4. Most complaints involve suspension (10) and steering (6). The EPA rates it 15 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
15mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Apr 2011
Owner complaints
29
Top: suspension
Fuel cost / yr
$4,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Steering: column

Remedy pending

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.

SteeringReported Apr 20, 2011NHTSA 11V244000

Fuel system

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Sep 18, 2007NHTSA 07V435000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 6, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

29 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 1998 – Aug 2019
  1. Suspension10
  2. Steering6
  3. Structure5
  4. Fuel system, gasoline5
  5. Vehicle speed control5
  6. Power train3
  7. Service brakes, hydraulic3
  8. Air bags2
  9. Engine and engine cooling2

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 QX4 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199746
199829
199943
200031
200175
200239
200322
Crashes reported
6
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 6, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Suspension

10 reports2 crashes
“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 THE INTERSTATE ON MY LAST DRIVE......”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 9, 2019Suspension, Unknown or otherCrash reportedODI 11242762

Steering

6 reports1 crash
“I BROUGHT MY TRUCK IN FOR A RECALL WITH STRUT TOWER AND CHASSY,THEY PATCHED TBE CHASSY UP,WHEN I WENT TO PICK IT UP I DIDN'T GET 5 MINUTES UP THE ROAD AND IT WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT HARD AND SHAKING AST 40TO 50MPH,IT'S A DRIVING HAZARD,I BROUGHT IT RIGHT BACK THEY DID AN ALIGNMENT ON IT,CALLED ME AND SAID IT'S STILL DOING IT AND THERE'S NOTHING ELSE THEY CAN DO,SO NOW I'M OUT OF A VEHICLE THEY TOLD CONSUMER AFFAIRS THAT I CALLED THAT IT COULD OF BEEN A,PRE EXISTING PROBLEM SO NOW CONSUMER AFFAIRS WON'T HELP ME SO WHAT DO I DO NOW IT'S MY ONLY VEHICLE AND THE DEALERSHIP WANTS ME TO JUST DRIVE OFF THEIR LOT WITH A HAZARDOUS VEHICLE,IT WAS FINE UNTIL THEY PATCHED THAT CHASSY UP THEIR WERE NO PRE-EXISTING PROBLEMS SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO NOW,PLEASE HELP?THE DEALERSHIP IS RAY CATINA INFINITI IN EDISON,NEW JERSEY,THE ONLY THING THEY HELPED ME WITH IS GETTING ME A LOANER CAR AND THEM PAYING FOR IT BUT NOW I HAVE TO BRING IT BACK,I JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT RIGHTS I HAVE OR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 7, 2018SteeringODI 11128014

Structure

5 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 INFINITI QX4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL FRACTURED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL FRACTURED DUE TO CORROSION AND THAT THE STEERING COLUMN AND SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 173,757.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 4, 2016Steering, StructureODI 10863087
All 1998 QX4 problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 6, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Special Purpose Vehicle 4WD
Engines
3.3L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular 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 Nov 6, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
QX4 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131715$4,300592
  • QX4 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L
    13 city · 17 hwy · $4,300/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 6, 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 1998 Infiniti QX4 as of Nov 6, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 6, 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

1998 QX4 questions

How many recalls does the 1998 Infiniti QX4 have?

2 safety recalls as of Nov 6, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 1998 Infiniti QX4 problems?

Owners filed 29 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are suspension (10), steering (6), structure (5). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1998 Infiniti QX4 get?

The EPA rates the 1998 Infiniti QX4 at 15 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 6, 2026