2002 Infiniti QX4: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 37 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is suspension (29% of complaints); the 2003 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Aug 2022
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 37 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Driving in a snow storm and slid in to a rail ,no damage but the back light,airbag deployed,. My regular headlights on the driver side went out three years ago , neighbor got it to work ,now both headlights are not working.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Feb 2026
“My issues are related to the SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN 1997-2003 QX4 IN SALT STATES FRONT STRUT HOUSING CORROSION. I brought my car in for the recall at Infiniti of Bloomington, Minnesota and they only fixed the Driver's side strut housing using a brace but only painted the Passenger's side. Now the Passenger's side strut housing shows corrosion and some perforation but repairable still under the recall. As of today 01/23/2023 The dealer and Infiniti refused to do recall on passenger's side despite the car is not safe to drive. They knowingly know the passenger's side will corrode but still let me drive the car with the defective which they refuse to fix.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jan 2023
“Drivers side low beam failure (2000 pathfinder and 2006 titan also same issue) Replaced bulbs twice in one year now low beam headlight doesn't work at all always the driver side”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jun 2021
Show 7 more owner reports
“Extensive rust and decay is found on the passenger side frame where the lower control arm connects. This is just below the strut housing and is visible through the front wheel well. I have attached both passenger and driver side photos as the defect only appears on the passenger side.”Owner report · Structure · Sep 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 infiniti qx4. After the contact purchased the vehicle from an independent mechanic, he noticed rust forming on the passenger side frame rail below the passenger side control arm. The contact took the vehicle to another independent mechanic who informed him that they could reinforce the frame well; however, a fuel line ran through the rusted area, which could cause more damage to the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 139,000.”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 infiniti qx4. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver without warning. The contact called an unknown dealer and was informed that the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 11v244000 (steering, suspension) in 2012. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but did not offer any further assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 152,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Jul 2017
“Extreme corrosion in the undercarriage prevents us from driving the car. Even though infiniti had a recall for this issue will not help us. Purchased this car new and will never purchase another infiniti”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jun 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 infiniti qx4. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 mph, the vehicle shook violently. In addition, the lower control arm detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 11v244000 ( steering, suspension). The approximate failure mileage was 164,825. ..updated 05/17/16 *bf updated 05/11/18*jb *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Nov 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 infiniti qx4. The contact received a notification for recall NHTSA campaign number: 14v361000 (airbag). However, the part needed to do the repairs was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2014
“The car stopped running and there was a strong smell of smoke, after having the car towed to the infiniti dealer we were informed that the engine control module that controls the car had burnt out. Fortunately, we were on a local side street. Had we been on the highway and the car just shut down we would not have been able to get out of traffic. The repairman stated the module was completely burned. After paying $2235.12, to replace this item since there is no aftermarket equipment. *tr”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2014
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2001-2003 Nissan Maxima, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4 and I35, 2003 FX35 and FX45, and 2001 I30 vehicles. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on June 15, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. Note: On December 18, 2015 Nissan informed NHTSA of an amendment of this recall to remove 2004-2005 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 vehicles.
NISSAN IS RECALLING FORTY-SIX CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002 PATHFINDER AND INFINITI QX4 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 24, 2001 THROUGH AUGUST 28, 2001. THE AIR BAG INFLATOR CONTAINS PROPELLANT WAFERS THAT ARE REQUIRED TO PROPERLY DEPLOY THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG. DUE TO IMPROPER PROPELLANT WAFER INSTALLATION DURING THE AIR BAG INFLATOR ASSEMBLY PROCESS, SOME AIR BAG INFLATORS MAY BE MISSING ONE OF THE WAFERS. AS A RESULT, THE REMAINING WAFERS IN THE INFLATOR USED FOR THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG MAY, OVER TIME, BREAK UP INTO POWDER DUE TO NORMAL VIBRATION EXPERIENCED WHILE DRIVING. THIS CAUSES THE COMBUSTION RATE OF THE PROPELLANT TO INCREASE INSIDE THE INFLATOR, WHICH CAN LEAD TO INTERNAL PRESSURE RISING SUDDENLY DURING AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.
Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY THE OWNERS OF THE FORTY-SIX AFFECTED VEHICLES. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULE ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ONE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 19, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 AND INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback, 2001-2004 Infiniti I30 and I35, 2002-2003 Inifiniti QX4, 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 and 2006-2010 M35 and M45 vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated, frontal passenger air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators with alternate desiccated inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 888-737-9511 or Infiniti customer service at 888-810-3715.
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2002 Pathfinder and Infiniti QX4 vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with Takata air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on March, 31, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain air bag inflator replacement service parts that may have been installed as part of a theft or collision repair. The parts include certain passenger-side air bag inflators designed to fit Infiniti 2002-2003 QX4, 2006-2010 M35 and M45; Nissan 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, and both driver and passenger-side inflators designed to fit 2007-2012 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback vehicles. Please see Nissan's recall report for the specific part numbers. These replacement inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the inflators as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 14, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
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, MAINE, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WASHINGTON D.C., WEST VIRGINIA AND WISCONSIN. IN AREAS OF THE COUNTRY IN WHICH HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT ARE USED, A MIXTURE OF SNOW/WATER AND SALT MAY ENTER AN ASSEMBLY LOCATION HOLE IN THE UPPER STRUT HOUSING, CAUSING WATER TO COLLECT AT THE MATING SURFACE OF THE STRUT HOUSING PANEL AND THE INNER HOOD LEDGE ASSEMBLY. OVER TIME, THIS SNOW/WATER AND SALT INTRUSION MAY RESULT IN CORROSION OF THE STRUT TOWER HOUSING IN SOME SUBJECT VEHICLES.
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 ON JULY 25, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2002 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact QX4 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Infiniti QX4 reliable?
NHTSA has 37 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Infiniti QX4. The most complained-about area is suspension (29% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Infiniti QX4 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 123,000 miles or less.
Does the 2002 Infiniti QX4 have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.