NHTSA vehicle safety data

2002 Infiniti QX4 Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2002 Infiniti QX4 has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 37 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 QX4, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2002 Infiniti QX4 owner complaints

Owners have filed 37 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Infiniti QX4, describing incidents dated January 22, 2002 to February 19, 2026.

Most-cited components

Suspension 14 complaints
Steering 7 complaints
Air Bags 5 complaints
Engine 4 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control 4 complaints
Service Brakes 3 complaints

Of the 37 complaints on file, 5 report a crash; across all 37 complaints, owners report 3 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11734154 · Filed April 27, 2026
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.
ODI #11707295 · Filed December 27, 2025
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
ODI #11503175 · Filed January 23, 2023
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…

Read all 37 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2002 Infiniti QX4 in 2 investigations. 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
Preliminary Evaluation PE11-004: Frame/Body Structure Corrosion
Closed June 30, 2011
- Recall 11V-244

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Replacement Air Bag Inflator May Explode

NHTSA #22E066000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Driver Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported August 9, 2022 · Nissan North America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 375 vehicles

Repair completion: 65.07% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified September 23, 2022

Defect description

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.

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

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.

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.nhtsa.gov.

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 Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture

NHTSA #17V068000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported February 2, 2017 · Nissan North America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 46 vehicles

Repair completion: 14.29% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified March 31, 2017 · Vehicles built August 24, 2001 – August 28, 2001 (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 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.

Safety consequence

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer 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.

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 16, 2001 – October 31, 2002 (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.

FRAME/BODY STRUCTURE CORROSION

NHTSA #11V244000 · Steering — Column · NHTSA notice

Reported April 20, 2011 · NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 195,991 vehicles

Owners notified August 25, 2011 · Vehicles built September 1, 1996 – October 31, 2002 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

THE STRUT HOUSING MAY CRACK AND PULL AWAY FROM THE INNER HOOD LEDGE ASSEMBLY. THIS MAY LEAD TO GRINDING NOISES, INCREASED STEERING EFFORT, AND POSSIBLY THE STEERING COLUMN TO BREAK, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

AIR BAGS IMPROPER PROPELLANT WAFER

NHTSA #10V312000 · Air Bags — Frontal · NHTSA notice

Reported July 6, 2010 · NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 46 vehicles

Owners notified August 19, 2010 · Vehicles built August 24, 2001 – August 28, 2001 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

THE INFLATOR HOUSING MAY RUPTURE AND PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

2002 Infiniti QX4 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: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Safety Technology

2 investigations

37 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Infiniti QX4.

Electrical System; Air Bags; Service Brakes

ODI #11734154

Incident: February 19, 2026 · Filed: April 27, 2026

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.

Exterior Lighting

ODI #11707295

Incident: June 1, 2021 · Filed: December 27, 2025

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

Suspension; Unknown or Other

ODI #11503175

Incident: January 23, 2023 · Filed: January 23, 2023

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.

Air Bags; Seat Belts

ODI #11405348

Incident: March 29, 2021 · Filed: March 29, 2021

I HAVE TRIED TO GET PASSENGER AIRBAG RECALL (AND A CONFIRMED DRIVER SEATBELT DEFECT) REPLACED AND THE PART WAS NEEDED ONE YEAR AGO AROUND MARCH OR APRIL 2020 AND TODAY WHEN I TRIED TO MAKE A APPOINTMENT 03/29/2021 WAS TOLD THAT IT IS A 3 TO 4 HOUR JOB AND NO LOANER VEHICLE OR TOW IS AVAILABLE FOR THIS TYPE OF SERVICE. THE THE RECALL NOTICE FORM # R1714 30148563 STATES THAT THERE IS FREE CONVENIENCE SERVICES SUCH AS TOW TO AND FROM INFINITI RETAILER OR ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION. MOSSY NISSAN IN OCEANSIDE CALIFORNIA AND I TALKED TO A WOMAN NAMED ROBIN IN SERVICE DEPT. MY QUESTION/COMPLAINT IS WHY IS ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORT OR TOW NOT BEING OFFERED FOR THIS DANGEROUS HAZARDOUS DEFECT? SINCERELY [XXX].*DT PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*JB

Structure

ODI #11354574

Incident: September 12, 2020 · Filed: September 12, 2020

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.

Structure

ODI #11252456

Incident: August 28, 2019 · Filed: August 30, 2019

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.

Steering; Suspension

ODI #11045577

Incident: November 6, 2017 · Filed: November 13, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 INFINITI QX4. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS WITH AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE STRUT HOUSING WAS RUSTED AND CRACKED. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ALERTED HER OF A RECALL FOR THE STRUT HOUSING AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V244000 (STEERING, SUSPENSION) AT FIELDS INFINITI GLENCOE (2100 FRONTAGE RD, GLENCOE, IL 60022 (847) 998-5200). THE DEALER STATED THAT A PLATE WAS INSTALLED ON THE STRUT HOUSING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT IT LOOKED LIKE NO REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH INDEPENDENT MECHANICS INFORMED HER THAT A PLATE NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED IN THE STRUT HOUSING, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. UPON PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CARFAX REPORT FAILED TO IDENTIFY THE REPAIR OR FAILURE TO THE STRUT HOUSING. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 124,000.

Steering; Suspension

ODI #11010759

Incident: July 20, 2017 · Filed: July 26, 2017

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.

Suspension; Unknown or Other

ODI #10874980

Incident: June 1, 2016 · Filed: June 18, 2016

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

Air Bags

ODI #10854180

Crash 1 injury

Incident: March 23, 2010 · Filed: April 7, 2016

TAKATA RECALL AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN STATIONERY 2002 INFINITI QX4 STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHT ON CITY STREET WAS HIT IN THE REAR BY ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH WAS ACCELERATING. PUSHED INFINITI QX4 25 FEET INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC.

Other Infiniti QX4 model years

Check your 2002 Infiniti QX4 VIN

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