Infiniti
I30
Midsize Cars · model years 1996 to 2001

The verdict
Best year: 1996. complaints: 24, below this model's typical 38; recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1.
Worst year: 2001. complaints: 75, about 4x this model's typical 19; recalls: 3, about 3x this model's typical 1.
Year by year
| Year | Trims | MPG | Fuel cost | Recalls | Complaints | Top complaints | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 2Gas | 21 | $3,650 | 0 | 24 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 18%, TIRES 14%, AIR BAGS 11% | |
Score: 83 of 100, where higher is better. | |||||||
| 1997 | 2Gas | 21 | $3,650 | 1 | 20 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 23%, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 19%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 12% | |
Score: 67 of 100, where higher is better. | |||||||
| 1998 | 2Gas | 21 | $2,950 | 2 | 49 | AIR BAGS 33%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 17%, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 8% | |
Score: 35 of 100, where higher is better. | |||||||
| 1999 | 2Gas | 21 | $2,950 | 0 | 26 | AIR BAGS 38%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12%, STRUCTURE 9% | |
Score: 79 of 100, where higher is better. | |||||||
| 2000 | 1Gas | 20 | $3,100 | 0 | 50 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 18%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 11%, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 10% | |
Score: 32 of 100, where higher is better. | |||||||
| 2001 | 1Gas | 20 | $3,100 | 3 | 75 | SUSPENSION 22%, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 12%, STRUCTURE 11% | |
Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better. | |||||||
How the numbers moved
How we score each year
We compare each year of the Infiniti I30 to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.
A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.
Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.
Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.