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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2003 Infiniti QX4Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 22 owner complaints for the 2003 Infiniti QX4. Most complaints involve suspension (8) and structure (6). The EPA rates it 15–16 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
15–16mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Aug 2022
Owner complaints
22
Top: suspension
Fuel cost / yr
$3,900est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 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

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
See all 4 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 7, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

22 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2003 – Jul 2019
  1. Suspension8
  2. Structure6
  3. Service brakes, hydraulic3
  4. Steering2
  5. Air bags1
  6. Engine1
  7. Fuel/propulsion system1
  8. Power train1
  9. Visibility1

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
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
4
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

8 reports
“THIS CONCERN IS INVOLVING THE R1109 RECALL ISSUED BY INFINITI. THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED SIX YEARS AGO, HOWEVER RUST, AND HOLES IN THE METAL ARE NOW VISIBLE. I WAS TOLD THAT BECAUSE THE RECALL WAS ALREADY PERFORMED, THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO ASSIST ME. THIS VEHICLE WILL SOON BE UNSAFE TO DRIVE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 20, 2018Suspension, StructureODI 11080382

Structure

6 reports
“BOUGHT A USED CAR FROM A USED CAR DEALER WITH 1 PREVIOUS OWNER. IN 2011 A RECALL WAS SUPPOSEDLY DONE BY INDICATING "INSPECTED!" WHY WASN'T THE PARTS REPLACED?”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 20, 2018Steering, StructureODI 11102757

Service brakes, hydraulic

3 reports1 crash
“THERE IS A PULSING FEEL IN THE BRAKES. HAVE CHECKED ONLINE AND REALIZED THAT IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ENOUGH COMPLAINT BY OTHER OWNERS. ON HARD STOPS THE PUSH BACK BY THE PEDAL IS HARD ENOUGH THAT THE BRAKES LOCKUP INTERMITTENTLY. THIS IS DIFFERENT FROM THE PULSING FEEL OF THE ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM. IT FEELS AS THOUGH THE ROTORS ARE WARPED. IT IS FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO, AND INCREASINGLY IN THE VEHICLE IN NORMAL DRIVING WITHOUT APPLYING THE BRAKES. IT IS NOT THE TIRES WHICH ARE FASTIDIOUSLY KEPT NEW OMI. NO INCIDENT YET BUT I BELIEVE THERE IS A TREND THAT NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 12, 2010Service brakes, hydraulicODI 10325016
All 2003 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
141916$3,900555
QX4 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141815$4,150592
  • QX4 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    14 city · 19 hwy · $3,900/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • QX4 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    14 city · 18 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 2003 Infiniti QX4 as of Nov 7, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 7, 2026Vehicle 4893
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

2003 QX4 questions

How many recalls does the 2003 Infiniti QX4 have?

4 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 2003 Infiniti QX4 problems?

Owners filed 22 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are suspension (8), structure (6), service brakes, hydraulic (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2003 Infiniti QX4 get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Infiniti QX4 at 15–16 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 7, 2026