NHTSA vehicle safety data

2002 Infiniti I35 Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2002 Infiniti I35 has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 70 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Infiniti dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2002 Infiniti I35, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2002 Infiniti I35 owner complaints

Owners have filed 70 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Infiniti I35, describing incidents dated March 1, 2001 to August 21, 2024.

Most-cited components

Engine 23 complaints
Air Bags 12 complaints
Suspension 10 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control 9 complaints
Service Brakes 8 complaints
Exterior Lighting 7 complaints

Of the 70 complaints on file, 11 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 70 complaints, owners report 15 injuries and 11 deaths (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11610167 · Filed August 22, 2024
The contact owns a 2002 Infiniti I35. The contact stated while driving 70–75 MPH on the freeway, the vehicle shut off and failed to restart. Additionally, while driving on another occasion, the vehicle shut off but restarted. The check engine, traction control, and ABS warning lights were…
ODI #11534785 · Filed July 27, 2023
The contact owns a 2002 Infiniti I35. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 03V455000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall…
ODI #11416488 · Filed May 13, 2021
THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 INFINITI I35. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER TAKING HIS VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V146000 (SUSPENSION) HOWEVER, THE VIN…

Read all 70 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2002 Infiniti I35 in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Engineering Analysis EA21-002: Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Open since September 17, 2021

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Frontal Passenger Air Bag Inflators May Explode

NHTSA #20V008000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported January 9, 2020 · Nissan North America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 307,962 vehicles

Repair completion: 47.81% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified February 12, 2020 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Passenger Air Bag Inflator may Rupture

NHTSA #15V287000 · Air Bags · NHTSA notice

Reported May 15, 2015 · Nissan North America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 1,090,569 vehicles

Repair completion: 39.65% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified June 15, 2015 · Vehicles built July 10, 2001 – June 3, 2003 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

NISSAN/CRANK/CAM POSITION SENSOR WELD

NHTSA #03V455000 · Engine and Engine Cooling · NHTSA notice

Reported November 17, 2003 · NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 630,000 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign R3021/R3022 · Owners notified December 22, 2003 · Vehicles built July 1, 2001 – June 30, 2002 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR OR CAM POSITION SENSOR MAY HAVE AN IMPROPER SOLDER JOINT DUE TO SOLDER DEFORMATION CAUSED BY HEAT STRESS ACCELERATED BY THE EXISTENCE OF FLUX RESIDUE DURING THE SOLDERING PROCESS.

Safety consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON, CREATE A NO START CONDITION, CAUSE REDUCED ENGINE POWER, OR CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRANK POSITION SENSORS. CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR(S), AND IN SOME CASES, THE VARIABLE TIMING CONTROL SENSOR(S). VEHICLES INVOLVED IN A PREVIOUS RECALL CAMPAIGN, 01V357, ARE ALSO INCLUDED IN THIS NEW CAMPAIGN. THE REPLACEMENT SENSORS USED IN THAT CAMPAIGN ARE ALSO AFFECTED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.

Notes

NISSAN RECALL NO. R3022/INFINITI RECALL NO. R3021.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

NISSAN/LOWER CONTROL ARM

NHTSA #02V146000 · Suspension — Front — Control Arm — Lower Arm · NHTSA notice

Reported May 30, 2002 · NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 90,500 vehicles

Owners notified July 29, 2002 · Vehicles built June 21, 2001 – January 29, 2002 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

THIS CAN CAUSE A KNOCKING SOUND AND ABNORMAL STEERING. THIS COULD RESULT IN DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRANSVERSE LINKS ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES WITH NEW ONES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 29, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.

Notes

CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

NISSAN/THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM

NHTSA #02V043000 · Vehicle Speed Control · NHTSA notice

Reported February 12, 2002 · NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 39,000 vehicles

Owners notified March 11, 2002 · Vehicles built July 26, 2001 – October 12, 2001 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM, THE STOPPER FOR THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WILL PREVENT EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT OF THE ACCELERATOR POSITION SENSOR. IF THE DRIVER APPLIES OVERLY EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHILE AT THE SAME TIME PUSHING IT TO THE RIGHT, THE PEDAL CAN "OVER TRAVEL" DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE PEDAL STOPPER.

Safety consequence

THIS WILL CAUSE THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP TO COME ON AND THE ENGINE SPEED TO BE SEVERELY LIMITED. IF THIS OCCURS UNEXPECTEDLY, IT COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW ACCELERATOR PEDAL STOPPER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 11, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 800-662-6200.

Notes

ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

2002 Infiniti I35 4-DR. w/SAB

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 4

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 4

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

1 investigation

70 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Infiniti I35.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic; Traction Control System; Engine

ODI #11610167

Incident: August 21, 2024 · Filed: August 22, 2024

The contact owns a 2002 Infiniti I35. The contact stated while driving 70–75 MPH on the freeway, the vehicle shut off and failed to restart. Additionally, while driving on another occasion, the vehicle shut off but restarted. The check engine, traction control, and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 03V455000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The local dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that there were no recalls on the VIN for the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 279,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #11534785

Incident: July 26, 2023 · Filed: July 27, 2023

The contact owns a 2002 Infiniti I35. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 03V455000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Suspension; Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #11416488

Incident: March 1, 2021 · Filed: May 13, 2021

THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 INFINITI I35. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER TAKING HIS VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V146000 (SUSPENSION) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY DOWNSHIFT WITH THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V043000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONTACT ALSO LINKED THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CERRITOS NISSAN (18707 STUDEBAKER RD, CERRITOS, CA 90703) WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED THE SAME INFORMATION AS THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 223,000.

Vehicle Speed Control; Engine; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11175884

Incident: January 7, 2019 · Filed: February 9, 2019

THE TCS OFF AND SLIP LIGHTS AFTER A NOTICEABLE MISS WHILE ACCELERATING, THE VEHICLE FAILS TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, AND THEN THE VEHICLE STALLS, REGARDLESS OF TRAVELING SPEED, RESULTING IN TOTAL LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKING. AFTER STALLING, THE VEHICLE SOMETIMES WILL RESTART ON FIRST ATTEMPT, OTHER TIMES IT TAKES A FEW TRIES OR TURNING THE KEY TO ON POSITION FOR 5 SECONDS AND THEN TURNING IT BACK TO OFF, REPEATING 2-3 TIMES THEN STARTS.THE PROBLEM IS PERSISTENT, THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO FAIL AT RANDOM ALMOST EVERY TIME IT'S DRIVEN AS SHORT AS 1 MILE DISTANCE, BUT HAS ALSO BEEN DRIVEN 20 MILES WITHOUT FAILING. WHILE DRIVING A DAILY ROUTE, THE PROBLEM OFTEN OCCURS AT A COMMON LOCATION, WHETHER RELATED TO DISTANCE, TERRAIN, OR COINCIDENCE IS UNKNOWN.

Air Bags

ODI #11042851

Incident: November 1, 2017 · Filed: November 3, 2017

TAKATA RECALL MY AIR INFLATS BY THEMSELVES

Unknown or Other; Engine

ODI #11016236

Incident: August 10, 2017 · Filed: August 18, 2017

I HAD RECENTLY HAD SOME WORK DONE ON MY CAR TO REPLACE THE RIGHT BEARING WHEEL AND THE POWER STEERING LINE, AS THERE WAS A LEAK AND LOUD ROARING NOISE WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AS CONFIRMED BY THE MECHANIC. ABOUT A WEEK LATER, I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY (AT ABOUT 65 MPH) WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I FELT A JERKING IN THE CAR, SUDDENLY THE ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON, AND THE THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE SHOT ALL THE WAY UP. I PULLED TO SIDE OF THE ROAD AS SOON AS I COULD BECAUSE I SAW WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I HAD BOUGHT THIS CAR ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO FROM MY UNCLE AND I HAD TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR THE TAKATA RECALL. THEY NEVER MENTIONED ANYTHING ELSE. THEN ABOUT A MONTH BEFORE THIS ALL HAPPEN MY UNCLE SENT ME A LETTER (AS HE HAD MOVED AWAY, REGARDING ANOTHER RECALL ON THE I35. I WAS PLANNING ON TAKING THE CAR TO THE INFINITI DEALER FOR THE RECALL AFTER REPLACING THE POWER STEERING LINE AND FRONT RIGHT WHEEL BEARING. HOWEVER I DID NOT EVEN GET A CHANCE TO DO SO. I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO KNOW IF MY SITUATION HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH A RECALL.

Air Bags

ODI #10897121

Incident: May 13, 2015 · Filed: August 19, 2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 INFINITI I35. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V287000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10876789

Incident: June 24, 2016 · Filed: June 27, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 INFINITI I35. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INCREASED AND THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND LET IT COOL OFF BEFORE TAKING IT TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE RADIATOR FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.

Engine

ODI #10863902

Incident: August 15, 2015 · Filed: May 9, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 INFINITI I35. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND WAS UNABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK AND CAM SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Air Bags

ODI #10863452

Incident: December 21, 2015 · Filed: May 5, 2016

TAKATA RECALL. AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON. MECHANIC HAS DISABLED AIRBAG SYSTEM.

Other Infiniti I35 model years

Check your 2002 Infiniti I35 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Infiniti I35 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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