Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 46 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 Infiniti QX4, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 12 | 26% |
| Steering | 5 | 11% |
| Structure | 3 | 7% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | 7% |
| Tires | 2 | 4% |
| Steering | 2 | 4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 4% |
| Wheels | 2 | 4% |
| Power train | 2 | 4% |
| Seat belts | 2 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 ro
NHTSA complaint: Steering
the rear end started to sway and shake ... made the car uncrontrlable, I reacted instantly and took my foot off the gas peddle and gripped the steering firmly like driving on snow...it came back under control as I was br
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
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 TH
NHTSA complaint: Steering
CAR SUSPENSION SHIMMIES, SHAKES AND WHOLE CAR ROLLS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
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 POSS
NHTSA complaint: Steering
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 LOOS
NHTSA complaint: Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 INFINITI QX4 EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN LTX M/S TIRES, SIZE: PT245/70 R16 (NA). WHILE ADDING AIR TO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE, THE CONTACT NOTICED TREAD SEPARATION. THE CONTACT MENTIONED ALL F
NHTSA complaint: Tires
I OWN A 1997 INFINITI QX4. WHILE TRAVELING 45 MPH OR MORE, THE VEHICLE BEGINS TO WOBBLE AND VIBRATE VIOLENTLY, SEEMINGLY FROM THE REAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MECHANICS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHERE THE REAR SHOCKS AND PA
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1997 Infiniti QX4. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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,
Risk: 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
Fix: 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. O
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 VIR
Risk: 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
Fix: 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.
| Reliability raw | 79 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 77 | good |
| Maintenance | 69 | good |
| Depreciation | 52 | average |
| Performance | 66 | good |
| Efficiency | 29 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other other in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 46 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and suspension is the most reported area with 12 of them (26%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 79/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 77/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1997 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 66/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.