Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Infiniti I30 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
In the last 2 months I have had the front passenger tire blow out 3 times. After this last tire repair the car started to shake, vibrate and make a knocking noise while driving. When driving faster the steering wheel would jerk me almost offthe road. It was so bad I pulled over and when I looked at the front passenger tire it was smoking and sitting sideways. I had to get my vehicle towed and now I have no way to work. I have included an estimate of the repairs as well as a written warranty that was given to the previous owner. I was told this was no longer valid since I am not the original owner of the vehicle. The way the steering jerked and how the tire went sideways I feel that is a safety issue.
I was driving along the middle lane in heavy traffic. At the intersection with traffic lights, the lane was stuck in front of me and there was no space to go. In order not to block the intersection, I had to slow down and stop at the traffic lights. While I was waiting at the lights, after 10 seconds the other car came closer without slowing down and hit my car from the behind. I was rear-ended on that incident.
There is vibration and a clunking noise when turning. It is hard to steer straight on road. The rear suspension including it's parts have failed making it impossible to properly align the vehicle. This has caused the front suspension to degenerate considerably causing persistant vibration and a clunking noise. This also creates a problem with the steering. It cannot be properly centered. The right rear severly under steers. There is a defective transverse link, springs and struts and a defective rack and pinion.
Takers recall wheel jerks to either right or left and causes care to jerk to either side I was going 55 to 60 miles per hour and it almost threw me completely off the road and another time it jerked me towards a car coming head on at me.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Infiniti I30. The contact stated while traveling at any speed, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver and there was an abnormal clicking sound heard from the steering wheel. The vehicle stalled without warning on multiple occasions. The contact stated that the instrument panel had a short which made it impossible for the contact to see the gauges while driving. The contact continued to see the service engine sensor and brake light sensor illuminate intermittently. The radio and clock had not worked for an extended period of time. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer who diagnosed that the ecl computer had needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 02V146000 (suspension) and had experienced the same failure on multiple occasions. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. …
Research of NHTSA records show 3 other complaints similar to mine. I first reported this issue to Nissan on feb-12-08. The rear suspension bottoms out. Diagnosis by my mechanic, later confirmed by the Infiniti dealer, was the failure of the passenger side moog rear suspension mount. My message to Nissan at the time read as follows: "I am unpleasantly surprised that a bushing in the rear suspension of my I30 needs replacement, and that the complete rear end must be replaced. It is going to cost me $800 to replace a $40 bushing that should have never failed in a car driven over excellent roads for only 87,000 miles." Nissan/Infiniti did not agree that it was unreasonable to charge close to $1,000 for the replacement of a $40 bushing and refused to offer any accommodation. The car now has 107,000 and the problem persists.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Infiniti I30. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle swerved from left to right and the steering made a shaking motion. The failure recurred multiple times. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the front passenger side tire blew out. The tire was replaced with a spare until the tire was replaced. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The mechanic stated that the front passenger and driver side lower control arms needed to be replaced, which caused the tires to blow out. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was made aware of NHTSA campaign number: 02V146000 (suspension); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Infiniti I30. The contact stated there was a slight shimmy and an unusual knocking sound coming from the front of the vehicle. In addition, there was a slight loss of control of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the front lower control arm was replaced. The manufacture advised there was a recall on his year, make and model pertaining to the failure (NHTSA campaign id number 02V146000: suspension: front: control arm: lower arm) however, the contact was unable to confirm if her vehicle was included with the recall. The failure and current mileages were 118,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Infiniti I30. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver and there was an abnormal clicking sound heard from the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who advised that the passenger's side lower control arm was fractured at the bushing, which would have to be replaced. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number however, was advised by the manufacturer that the the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Infiniti I30. The contact stated that the vehicle had exhibited a knocking sound since it was purchased. The sound was constant and became progressively worse when making a turn. The contact had the vehicle inspected and was told that the transverse link was broken and that there was recall campaign number 02V146000, which deals with the suspension, a failure of the link. The manufacturer stated that his vehicle was not included. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage 74800 and current mileages was 75000.
Related recalls
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower arm
On certain passenger vehicles, the pin at the end of the front suspension transverse link (lower control arm) could break where it is mounted to the frame.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the transverse links on the left and right sides with new ones. Owner notification began July 29, 2002.
Suspension complaints in other I30 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2001 Infiniti I30?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the suspension of the 2001 Infiniti I30, 31% of the model year's 75 complaints. The component named most often is front › control arm › lower arm (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Infiniti I30 suspension problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 02V-146 (lower arm, May 30, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2001 Infiniti I30 suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 118,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to suspension problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.