InfinitiQX41999Overview/infiniti/qx4/1999/base/

1999 Infiniti QX4

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1999 QX4.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1999 Infiniti QX4 is an SUV built on a platform that carries a 4‑qt oil capacity filled with 5W‑30 API‑rated lubricant and paired with a 4‑speed automatic transmission, delivering EPA‑rated fuel economy of 13/17/15 mpg. Its design emphasizes a straightforward mechanical architecture, yet the model year logged 43 owner complaints, a figure that sits closer to the lower tier of the 1997‑2006 complaint history, where the most severe year (2001) reached 75 complaints and the most reliable year (2004) recorded only one. This pattern suggests that while the 1999 iteration is generally dependable, owners should monitor suspension‑related issues, which constitute the predominant complaint area and account for the two recalls documented.

Model year200320022000199919981997

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque87-108 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy13/17/15 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 25 U.S. · 360 U.S. CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 25 U.S. · 360 U.S. CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP245-70R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine air filter16546V0100
Fuel filter164000W005
Spark plug224011W616 alt 224011W614
Battery999M1NB24C alt 999M1NB25C
Front wiper blades288901E301 alt 288903W40A
Thermostat21200V720A
Cabin air filter27277VP03A

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length183.9 in
Overall width72.4 in
Overall height70.9 in
Wheelbase106.3 in
Curb weight4275 lb
Track (front / rear)59.8 / 59.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)55/45

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined13 / 17 / 15 mpg
Drivetrain4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the QX4 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.7–12.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.70 sec — 2001 SUV
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1997SUV 3.3L V611.50 sec17.90 sec168 hp4x4
1997SUV 3.3L V612.00 sec18.70 sec168 hp4x4
2001SUV 3.5L V68.70 sec16.50 sec240 hp4x4
2001SUV 3.5L V69.30 sec17.00 sec240 hp4x4
2001SUV 3.5L V69.60 sec17.01 sec240 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, SYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 87-108 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilSYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity5.8 Pints
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4 qt
Power Steering FluidATF
Transfer Case FluidATF

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts141-156 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts61-69 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts13-16 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts21-25 ft-lbs
Main Bearings67-74 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts87-108 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug18.0-25.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug18.0-25.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)750 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance1.0 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance10,000 ohms
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque14.0-22.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing15, Not adjustable degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.32-1.55 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity6.80 oz
Optional BCI Group Number24 Heated Seats and Canada
Optional BCI Cranking Performance450 Heated Seats and Canada cca
Standard BCI Group Number25 U.S.

Service checks

Pressure Test23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief11-14 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature180 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)43.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)34.0 psi
Engine Compression128
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket16-23 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle62 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0028 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.102 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.102 in
Rotor Minimum Machining1.024 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
110-12 ft. lbs., Step 2: 28-3310–12 ft. lbs

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

In 1999 the Infiniti QX4 recorded 43 complaints, matching the 1998 level and falling well below the 1997 peak of 46 complaints, but still higher than the 2000 average of 31 complaints. Recalls remained steady at two for 1997‑1999, increasing to three in 2000 and peaking at six in 2002, indicating a rising trend in recall volume after the target year. Investigations stayed at one each year from 1997 through 2001, then doubled to two in 2002, suggesting a slight uptick in scrutiny. The 1999 model’s top complaint areas—six each in Suspension and Structure, and four in Steering and Fuel System—mirror the broader pattern of mechanical and structural concerns that persisted throughout the generation. Given that 1999 sits near the middle of the recall and complaint trajectory and shows no significant spike in issues, it is a reasonable year to consider, provided the vehicle has been well maintained.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
87
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
43
Owner complaints
4 involved a crash · 2 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 43 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Suspension6
Structure6
Steering4
Fuel System, Gasoline4
Steering,Suspension,Unknown Or Other2
Electrical System2
Power Train2
Engine & Engine Cooling2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

11V244000Steering:ColumnReported 20/04/2011

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1996-2004 PATHFINDER AND MODEL YEAR 1997-2003 INFINITI QX4 VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MASSACHUSETTS… Remedy: NISSAN WILL INSPECT THE STRUT HOUSING AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM NOTIFICATION LETTER WAS SENT OUT IN MAY 2011. THE SECOND NOTICE WAS MAILED…

07V435000Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And CapReported 18/09/2007

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILLER TUBE ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ONE WITH AN IMPROVED COATING PROCESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 26, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 87 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
ITB13-007H2023-02-27StructureREMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See…
ITB09-039J2023-02-27VisibilityWINDSHIELD CRACKING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last…
ITB10-067C2023-02-22WheelsWHEEL BEARING COLLISION DAMAGE This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on…
ITB16-006A2021-03-24Electrical SystemINFINITI; FRONT SONAR PARKING SENSOR SERVICE INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended…
ITB19-0082019-04-02EquipmentEXTERIOR CLEANING INFORMATION SERVICE INFORMATION When cleaning the exterior of an…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific QX4. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1999 QX4 take?

4 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1999 QX4 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the QX4 get?

EPA figures are 13 city / 17 highway / 15 combined mpg.