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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2002 Infiniti QX4Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 39 owner complaints for the 2002 Infiniti QX4. Most complaints involve suspension (14) and steering (7). The EPA rates it 15 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
15mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest Aug 2022
Owner complaints
39
Top: suspension
Fuel cost / yr
$4,150est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Aug 9, 2022NHTSA 22E066000

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: inflator module

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Feb 2, 2017NHTSA 17V068000
See all 6 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 7, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

39 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2002 – Apr 2026
  1. Suspension14
  2. Steering7
  3. Air bags5
  4. Vehicle speed control4
  5. Engine and engine cooling4
  6. Exterior lighting3
  7. Structure3
  8. Electrical system2
  9. Service brakes2

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 QX4 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199746
199829
199943
200031
200175
200239
200322
Crashes reported
5
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
3
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 7, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Suspension

14 reports1 crash
“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 complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 23, 2023Suspension, Unknown or otherODI 11503175

Steering

7 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 13, 2017Steering, SuspensionODI 11045577

Air bags

5 reports2 crashes
“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 complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 27, 2026Electrical system, Air bags, Service brakesODI 11734154
All 2002 QX4 problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 7, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-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 Nov 7, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
QX4 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
141815$4,150592
QX4 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131715$4,150592
  • QX4 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    14 city · 18 hwy · $4,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • QX4 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    13 city · 17 hwy · $4,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 7, 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 QX4 as of Nov 7, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 7, 2026Vehicle 4530
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 QX4 questions

How many recalls does the 2002 Infiniti QX4 have?

6 safety recalls as of Nov 7, 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 QX4 problems?

Owners filed 39 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are suspension (14), steering (7), air bags (5). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2002 Infiniti QX4 get?

The EPA rates the 2002 Infiniti QX4 at 15 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 7, 2026