1996 Infiniti J30 problems
The Infiniti J30, marketed as the Nissan Leopard J Ferie in Japan, was a rear wheel drive luxury car. The J30 went into production on April 7, 1992 as a 1993 model to replace the M30 (which was a coupe), and was launched in the United States after its competitors, the Lexus GS and Acura Legend. The car was sold in the mid-size sedan segment between the smaller G20 and the larger Q45, both by size and price. The small interior resulted from its rounded styling uncharacteristic of the crowded executive car class, which is now considered an early variant of a four-door coupé.
Design
Exterior styling
The J30 was designed at Nissan Design International (NDI) in La Jolla, California under the direction of president Jerry Hirshberg and exterior designer Doug Wilson in 1988-1989. Hirshberg said it was "the first car in what we see as a trend toward breaking away from the long tyranny of the wedge". Design work was frozen in 1989. In a promotional video produced in 1994, it was referred to as a "personal luxury sedan" as attempt to define it as a four-door coupé. The rounded styling resembles the contemporary Nissan Altima/Bluebird U13, also styled at NDI at approximately the same time..
Paul Dean, in a review for the Los Angeles Times, likened the J30 to "a 1961 Jaguar Mark X that melted", adding the "styling magic ... has softened the bulk of a sedan into the visual delicacy of a coupe". Bob Sikorsky drew a parallel to the 1947 Studebaker Champion and was positive about his driving impression, calling the J30 "one of the best-engineered cars in the world today ... a paragon of smoothness and silence with a remarkable balance between cornering ability and straight-ahead highway cruising". At the launch event, held at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel, Hirshberg presented the design theme as "a bold, calligraphic sketch of a line and an egg" and noted it was an attempt to grant "instant heritage" to the nascent Infiniti brand. In a retrospective, Mickey Kaus derided the design as "a pretentious fashion statement" with a "massively round, sagging rear end" that was based "on the bottom of a toilet bowl".
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Common 1996 Infiniti J30 problems
The INFINITI J30, produced in 1996, is known for several common problems based on complaints from owners. Here are the most frequently reported issues in detail:
- Fuel Pump Control Module Issues: Some owners have reported cranking but not starting problems, which could be due to the fuel pump control module. This issue can be more pronounced when starting the car after a short period of time or when the engine is warm. The fuel pump control module may need to be replaced to address this problem.
- Rear End Breaking Loose: Some J30 owners have reported that the rear end of the car can break loose during aggressive cornering. This issue can be attributed to the car's rear-wheel-drive layout and may require modifications to the suspension or tires to correct.
- Auto Door Locks and Dash Lights Malfunction: Occasionally, the automatic door locks and dash lights can malfunction in the INFINITI J30. This issue may be intermittent and can be resolved by checking the wiring and electrical components for any faults.
- Sunroof Failure: The sunroof in the J30 can fail, requiring replacement or sealing shut. This issue is not unique to the 1996 model and can occur in other model years as well.
These common problems in the 1996 INFINITI J30 can be addressed by regular maintenance and timely repairs. It is essential to address these issues promptly to ensure the longevity and reliability of the vehicle.
Is Infiniti J30 reliable?
The exterior and interior of the car is very elegant, it's beauty on the outside and a beast on the inside. A great value for your money, worth every penny. The car is very reliable. Overall it is a well built car and even though it's old it still performs very well.
What engine is in the Infiniti J30?
3.0 L VG30DE V6
Infiniti J30
| Infiniti J30 (Y32) | |
|---|---|
| Engine | 3.0 L VG30DE V6 |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 108.7 in (2,760 mm) |
Are old Infiniti cars reliable?
RepairPal ranks the INFINITI brand 16th out of 32 best car brands, with a 3.5 out of five overall reliability rating. INFINITIs visit the shop 0.7 times per year on average, with a 10% chance the repairs are severe. The average annual repair cost is $638, lower than the $652 average repair costs across all models.
What is the best Infiniti engine?
Most Advanced V6 Ever Offered By INFINITI. INFINITI's new compact, lightweight 3.0-liter V6 twin-turbo engine is the most advanced V6 engine that the brand has ever offered, striking an ideal balance between drivability, efficiency, and performance.
1996 Infiniti J30 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Infiniti J30 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Vehicle speed control problems
- Electrical system problems
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Unknown or other problems
- Power train problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1996 Infiniti J30 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1996 Infiniti J30 complaints
The NHTSA has received 6 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1996 Infiniti J30.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2005-06-17
- Fire: 1
- VIN: JNKAY21D8SM
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: DT: CONTACT STATED VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. THE TOW COMPANY AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TOLD CONTACT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. THE CAR BURNT COMPLETELY. SHE BOUGHT THE CAR FROM AN INDIVIDUAL , AND HASN'T TALKED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FIRE DEPT. WAS CALLED. THE FIRE STARTED IN THE REAR OF THE CAR WHERE THE GAS TANK WAS LOCATED.*AK *TT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1999-12-20
- VIN: JNKAY21D5PM
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: THE EXHAUST MANIFOLDS CRACK FROM WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE A DESIGN FLAW. WHICH COULD LEAD TO A ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. INFINITI KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM. THEY HAVE SUPERSEDED THE PART WITH A NEW PART. THE COST FOR THE NEW MANIFOLDS ARE $1200.00. NOT ONLY DID THEY MAKE FAULTY MANIFOLDS THAT HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO START A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THEY GOUGE THEIR CUSTOMERS $1200.00 FOR REPLACEMENT. TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION IN THE ABOVE MATRIX REGARDING COST. THE MANIFOLDS I HAVE REPLACED THE RIGHT MANIFOLD WITH ONE FROM A SALVAGE YARD. THE LEFT MANIFOLD I HAD WELDED BACK TOGETHER BECAUSE YOU CANNOT FIND ONE IN A SALVAGE YARD THAT ISN'T CRACKED. DOOR LOCKS: INFINITI ALSO HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE DOOR LOCKS, IN THAT THEY LOCK AND UNLOCK AUTOMATICALLY. ANOTHER SAFTEY PROBLEM, WHEN THE DOORS LOCKS WHEN YOU ARE INSIDE THE CAR, THE MANUAL OVERRIDE EITHER DOESN'T WORK OR THEY DON'T HAVE A MANUAL OVERIDE. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY HAD TO GET ANOTHER GUY OUT OF HIS CAR THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. MY WIFE HAS HAD ANOTHER GUY COME AND TELL HER NOT TO LEAVE HER KEYS IN THE CAR RUNNING, OR THE CAR MIGHT LOCK HER OUT. TO ANSWER YOU QUESTION ABOVE REGARDING COST, I COULD NOT GIVE YOU AN ANSWER BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP IS UNABLE TO PINPOINT THE PROBLEM. WE JUST KEEP THROWING MORE TIME AND LABOR AT THE PROBLEM. IN ANY CASE WHEN INFINITI BUILDS A CAR THAT HAS AN EXHAUST MANIFOLD PROBLEM THAT HAS THE POTENTIAL OF STARTING THE CAR ON FIRE, AND THEY HAVE A DOOR LOCKING SYSTEM THAT CAN LOCK YOU IN THE CAR WITH NO MANUAL OVERIDE, I BELIEVE THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE. I THINK THAT THESE CARS SHOULD GET RECALLED ON THESE ITEMS THAT I MENTIONED. THANK YOU, [XXX]. *AK PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2001-01-02
- VIN: JNKCP01D3TT
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: CAR SURGES IN DRIVE OR REV ESP WHEN COLD OR HUMID. MANY TIMES CAR STALLS. I KNOW TWO OTHER 96 G20 OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-04-20
- VIN: JNKCP01D5TT
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: ENGINE SURGES UP AND DOWN AND STALLS. THIS HAPPENS WHEN STOPPED, HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AT AN INTERSECTION! I QUESTIONED OTHER G20 OWNERS AND FOUND THEY WERE HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: JNKAY21DITM
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: DURING ACCELERATION THE VEHICLE SEEMS TO STALL ANYTIME CONSUMER TRIES TO SWITCH TO A LEFT LANE ON THE HIGHWAY, VEHICLE FEELS LIKE IT AUTOMATICALLY SWITCHES TO NEUTRAL THEN BACK TO DRIVE. NLM
VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-05-31
- Components: VISIBILITY
- Summary: SUN ROOF SHATTERED.
Negative 1996 Infiniti J30 car reviews
Positive 1996 Infiniti J30 car reviews
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My wife and I purchased this car back in 1998 when it had only 29,000 miles on it. Since then, we have driven it for about 90,000 miles and it has been a joy to own. We have not encountered any issues with this car, and it has proven to be both reliable and well-built. However, it is worth noting that the radio or speakers may need attention at some point, as they are Bose and can be difficult and costly to repair.
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The J30 is a high-quality luxury car that is both fun and luxurious. It's definitely a must-see and drive, with so many amazing features to enjoy!
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Hey! I hope you're doing well. I just wanted to share with you that I received a car from my grandmother as a birthday gift yesterday. It's been amazing driving it around! I think it's the perfect car for me because I'm a very social person and I can fit four of my friends in the car with me. The Bose sound system is exactly what I needed, since I love my music loud and heavy. I'm sure anyone else who has this car knows what I mean when I say it's definitely worth all the money, whether it's for gas, insurance, or even the purchase itself. Thanks for listening!
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This is one car you can buy without worrying about the mileage. It's built like a rock with total luxury inside. It's a great second car with a smooth ride and faultless Infiniti reliability. I can't believe it's an 8-year-old car. I got it at 77,000 miles and have put on 30,000 miles since then. If you do the routine maintenance, you'll have one hell of a car that you can trust.
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You made a great choice with your 1995 J30 (16'rims)! It's a reliable and enjoyable semi-luxurious rear wheel drive sedan. If you're looking for a car with low miles that you can enjoy for years, this is the one. While it's not perfect (which is why they made the new G35), it's still a lot of fun to drive. The interior and exterior both have a great look, and the BOSE system is a nice touch. Even after all these years, the car still feels solid.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1996 Infiniti J30 problems:
INFINITI I30 Questions - would you suggest this car for a 18 year ...
Jan 2, 2009 ... The engine and drivetrain may remain somewhat ... problems i recommend a honda very cheap to ... I have an infiniti i30 1996, I've had it for ...
Nissan DTC P1800: Expert Q&A on Infiniti J30 Engine Parts and ...
Apr 2, 2008 ... I looked into it more and found some issues that might cause this code. graphic.
INFINITI J30 Problems and Complaints - 5 Issues
Top INFINITI J30 Problems · Low or Unstable Idle Due to Varnish Deposits in the Throttle Body · Check Engine Light Due to a Canister Purge Valve Fault · A " ...
Q&A: Infiniti I30 Problems & Headlights | '97 Infiniti I30 Brake
Aug 27, 2013 ... The brake light bulb is a dual element(not sure what the technical term is) bulb and the second element never lights up. Is this a common ...
1993 INFINITI J30 Problems and Complaints - 4 Issues
Problem with your 1993 INFINITI J30? Our list of 4 known complaints reported by owners can help you fix your 1993 INFINITI J30.
Other years of Infiniti J30
Are you having problems with your 1996 Infiniti J30?
Alexzander Goodwin 2024-11-07
Since my purchase, I have experienced some issues with the car's electrical system. However, I am confident in the car's overall performance and enjoy driving it. I am currently addressing the brake light and window issues, and I am working to improve the car's fuel efficiency. Overall, I am satisfied with my purchase and look forward to resolving these minor issues.
Coleman Steuber 2024-03-11
This car handled great, but unfortunately it was totalled after being hit by a Ford F-250. While I babied it, it wasn't big enough for more than two people to ride in comfortably and could hold very little. With only 130k miles, it already needed a new transmission and exhaust, which was disappointing given Infiniti's reputation for quality. Despite this, I still believe that Infiniti produces excellent cars.