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Research · Midsize Cars

2002 Infiniti I35Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 72 owner complaints for the 2002 Infiniti I35. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (15) and air bags (12). The EPA rates it 20 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
20mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Jan 2020
Owner complaints
72
Top: engine and engine cooling
Fuel cost / yr
$3,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Jan 9, 2020NHTSA 20V008000

Air bags

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported May 15, 2015NHTSA 15V287000

Engine and engine cooling

Free remedy

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.

Engine and engine coolingReported Nov 17, 2003NHTSA 03V455000
See all 5 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

72 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2002 – Aug 2024
  1. Engine and engine cooling15
  2. Air bags12
  3. Engine11
  4. Suspension10
  5. Vehicle speed control9
  6. Exterior lighting8
  7. Service brakes, hydraulic7
  8. Power train6
  9. Steering6

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each I35 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
200272
200395
200435
Crashes reported
11
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
15
Deaths reported
11
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine and engine cooling

15 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 27, 2023Engine and engine coolingODI 11534785

Air bags

12 reports4 crashes
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 19, 2016Air bagsODI 10897121

Engine

11 reports1 crash
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 22, 2024Service brakes, hydraulic, Traction control system, EngineODI 11610167
All 2002 I35 problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
I35
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172420$3,200444
  • I35
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2002 Infiniti I35 as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 4531
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2002 I35 questions

How many recalls does the 2002 Infiniti I35 have?

5 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2002 Infiniti I35 problems?

Owners filed 72 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (15), air bags (12), engine (11). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2002 Infiniti I35 get?

The EPA rates the 2002 Infiniti I35 at 20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026