The 1991 G20 is Infiniti's rebadged Nissan Primera with the SR20DE engine—a solid platform undermined by aging-related issues. Most survivors face oil consumption battles, distributor failures, and worn suspension bushings typical of 30+ year-old Japanese compacts.
Excessive Oil Consumption / Piston Ring Wear
Common · high severityTypical onset: 120,000-180,000 mi
Symptoms: Blue smoke on startup or acceleration, Oil level drops 1+ quart between changes, Fouled spark plugs, Loss of power under load
Fix: SR20DE engines burn oil when piston rings carbon-pack or wear. Proper fix requires engine-out rebuild with new rings, hone, bearing inspection. 18-24 labor hours for full teardown, machining, and reassembly. Many owners just top off oil and keep driving until catastrophic failure.
Estimated cost: $2,800-4,500
Distributor Internal Failure
Common · high severityTypical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: No-start or intermittent stalling, Backfiring, severe misfire, Check engine light with ignition-related codes, Dies when hot, restarts when cool
Fix: The optical sensor wheel or ignition module inside the distributor fails. Replacement distributor is the reliable fix—used units are hit-or-miss. 1.5-2 hours labor for swap and timing verification.
Estimated cost: $400-700
Leaking Valve Cover Gasket and Cam Seals
Common · low severityTypical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Oil seepage around valve cover perimeter, Oil smell after engine heat-soaks, Slight drips on exhaust manifold causing smoke, Dirty engine bay on driver's side
Fix: Rubber hardens and leaks develop. Replace valve cover gasket, cam seals, and half-moon plug. Clean mating surfaces thoroughly. 2.5-3 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $250-450
Worn Front Lower Control Arm Bushings
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 100,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking over bumps, Wandering steering, poor directional stability, Uneven inside tire wear, Vibration through steering wheel at highway speeds
Fix: Rubber bushings crack and separate. Replace both lower control arms as assemblies—pressing bushings is labor-intensive and often fails again quickly. Alignment mandatory after. 3-4 hours total labor.
Estimated cost: $500-800
Automatic Transmission Oil Cooler Line Corrosion
Occasional · high severitySymptoms: Transmission fluid puddle under engine bay, Pink fluid dripping near radiator, Transmission slipping or delayed engagement after fluid loss, Overheating transmission
Fix: Steel cooler lines rust through at bends or fittings, especially in salt states. Replace both lines preventively once one fails. 2-3 hours labor plus fluid refill and system flush.
Estimated cost: $350-600
Fuel Filler Pipe Rust-Through (Recall-Related)
Occasional · medium severitySymptoms: Fuel smell around rear of car, Difficulty filling tank, pump clicks off repeatedly, Visible rust or holes in filler neck, Fuel gauge acts erratically
Fix: Even post-recall, northern climate cars suffer filler pipe corrosion. Requires dropping exhaust and cutting out old pipe, welding or clamping new section. 3-4 hours labor depending on rust severity.
Estimated cost: $400-750
Failing Rear Shock Absorber Mounts
Occasional · low severityTypical onset: 90,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Knocking from rear suspension over bumps, Visible rust or separation at shock tower in trunk, Rear end feels bouncy or unstable, Clunking when braking on rough roads
Fix: Upper shock mounts rust and tear, especially where road salt is used. Replace mounts and inspect shocks for leakage. 2 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $200-400
A decent driver if oil consumption hasn't started, but most 1991s are nickel-and-dime projects now—buy only if records show recent engine work or you're handy with a wrench.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.