Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 27 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 Infiniti I30, and it carries no 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 14 | 52% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 11% |
| Fuel system | 2 | 7% |
| Power train | 1 | 4% |
| Steering | 1 | 4% |
| Structure | 1 | 4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 4% |
| Service brakes | 1 | 4% |
| Structure | 1 | 4% |
| Seat belts | 1 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The ‘Air Bag’ light stays on at all times. Its been like this for over 10 years. I’ve called my local Infiniti dealer, they said they cannot replace the Takata airbag until NHTSA identifies this model in a national rec
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TAKATA RECALL I HAVE A INFINITI I30T IT HAS THE AIR BAG LIGHT JUST FLASHING I HAVE BROUGHT IT IN AND THEY SUGGESTED I SHOULD CONTACT YOU I DON'T HAVE A ERROR CODE FOR YOU BUT IF YOU WOULD WANT MORE INFO FEEL FREE TO CONT
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
2/21/21, TURNING ON THE IGNITION CREATED A SEVERELY ROUGH IDLE, THE AUTO COULD NOT MAINTAIN "RUNNING STATUS", A SEVERE FUEL ODOR ENSUED WITH BLUE-BLACK SMOKE BILLOWING OUT OF THE EXHAUST PIPE. TOWED TO THE NISSAN DEALE
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
I TOOK MY WELL-MAINTAINED, GARAGED 1999 INFINITI I30 TO THE MECHANIC AFTER NOTICING THE HANDLING GETTING SLOPPY AND SEVERE INNER TIRE WEAR. UPON INSPECTION, HE INFORMED ME THAT THE FRONT CORE SUPPORT (THE BOX BEAM FRAME
NHTSA complaint: Steering
RECLINED DRIVERS SEAT WHICH ACTIVATED "AIR BAG" WARNING LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY FLASHING. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY FLAW WHICH NEEDS TO BE FIXED BY THE MANUFACTURER. UNKNOWN WHETHER AIR BAG STILL WORKS AND VERY BRIGHT FLASHING
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
I'M THE SECOND OWNER OF A 1999 INFINITI I30. I'VE BEEN DEALING WITH THE AIRBAG LIGHT SEVERAL TIMES. I'M CONCERN THAT ONE DAY THE WILL POP AND HURT ME OR MY FAMILY. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 INFINITI I30. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING WHEN HE NOTICED SMOKING EMITTING FROM THE HOOD INTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE DIODE IGNITED,
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
CAR WAS DRIVEN SHORT DISTANCE (APPROX. 2 MILES), PARKED AND TURNED OFF. WITHIN 2-5 MINUTES I HAD TO PUT SOMETHING IN CAR AND NOTICED SMOKE FLOWING OUT OF GRILL AREA, AND POPPED THE HOOD, AND NOTICED ORANGE FLAME IN ALTE
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
| Reliability raw | 89 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 81 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 78 | good |
| Depreciation | 52 | average |
| Performance | 54 | average |
| Efficiency | 40 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 27 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 14 of them (52%). No recalls are on record for it.
AVOIR scores its reliability 89/100 (excellent) 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 81/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1999 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 71/100. 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.