The most-reported I30 run is JNKCA31A81T (2001 builds) with 9 complaints, 3.3× the typical run. Air bags problems make up 20% of reports; 2001 is the worst model year at 4.8 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for I30 model years 1997–2001.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Infiniti I30 has 70 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 21% of every I30 complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JNKCA31A81T•••••• | 2001 | — | 1 | |
| JNKCA31A21T•••••• | 2001 | — | — | |
| JNKCA31A11T•••••• | 2001 | 2 | — | |
| JNKCA31A2YT•••••• | 2000 | 1 | — | |
| JNKCA31A61T•••••• | 2001 | 1 | — | |
| JNKCA31A71T•••••• | 2001 | — | — | |
| JNKCA31A51T•••••• | 2001 | — | — | |
| JNKCA21A1WT•••••• | 1998 | — | — | |
| JNKCA21A4WT•••••• | 1998 | 1 | 2 | |
| JNKCA21A2WT•••••• | 1998 | — | — | |
| JNKCA21A6WT•••••• | 1998 | — | — | |
| JNKCA21A0WT•••••• | 1998 | — | — |
Each of the other 58 I30 runs has 4 complaints or fewer.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Infiniti I30 the gap between build years is 3.7×: a 2001 car draws 4.8 complaints per run, a 1997 one 1.3.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 62 | 13 | 7 | |
| 2000 | 37 | 15 | 3 | |
| 1999 | 21 | 10 | 2 | |
| 1998 | 41 | 12 | 4 | |
| 1997 | 13 | 10 | 3 | |
| 1996 | 17 | 12 | 4 |
Heaviest year here is 2001 at 4.8 complaints per run; lightest is 1997 at 1.3.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 20% of everything Infiniti I30 owners report: Air Bags, 39 of 191 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 10 | 1 | |
| Electrical System | — | 6 | |
| Suspension | 3 | — | |
| Service Brakes | 4 | — | |
| Hydraulic | 3 | — | |
| Structure | 1 | 1 | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | — | 3 | |
| Power Train | 2 | 1 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 5 recall campaigns on the Infiniti I30; the 5 below cover build years 1997 to 2001. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 02V171000 | Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator | 1997–1998 |
| 20V008000 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module | 2001 |
| 15V287000 | Air Bags | 2001 |
| 02V146000 | Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm | 2001 |
| 99V129000 | Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator | 1998 |
02V171000 was opened in 2002 on cars built from 1997: 5 years on the road before the recall.
The I30 against its rivals
The I30 draws 2.7 complaints per production run; the Dodge Stratus 3.3, the Mazda 626 4.7 and the Chevrolet Lumina 2.6.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infiniti I30 | 191 | 70 | 12% | |
| Dodge Stratus | 2,111 | 633 | 8.9% | |
| Mazda 626 | 2,225 | 474 | 6.3% | |
| Chevrolet Lumina | 2,178 | 840 | 6.9% |
How serious were they
Of the 191 reports on the Infiniti I30, 12% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Infiniti I30 | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 191 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 23 (12%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 11 (5.8%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 13 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 107% above the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Infiniti I30 share of that is 191 complaints over 70 runs, 0.02% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Infiniti I30 VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 191 NHTSA complaints from 70 I30 runs and 5 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which I30 production run has the most complaints?
JNKCA31A81T, a 2001 build, with 9 complaints. The typical I30 run has 2.7.
Which I30 years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2001 is heaviest at 4.8 complaints per run and 1997 lightest at 1.3.
Does the I30 get more complaints than the Dodge Stratus?
No: 2.7 complaints per production run for the I30 against 3.3 for the Dodge Stratus.
How many I30 complaints involve a crash?
12% of 191 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 11 involved a fire.
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