Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 75 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Infiniti QX4, and it carries 4 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | 16 | 21% |
| Structure | 12 | 16% |
| Suspension | 6 | 8% |
| Power train | 4 | 5% |
| Fuel system | 4 | 5% |
| Steering | 3 | 4% |
| Visibility | 3 | 4% |
| Wheels | 2 | 3% |
| Suspension | 2 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 2 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Its the wheel stud on the driver side left rear....it departed from the vehicke at 55 mph.
NHTSA complaint: Wheels
The contact owns a 2001 Infiniti QX4. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speed, there was an abnormal noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
Lower control arm broke due to excessive rust/ corrosion on ENTIRE underside of vehicle. Nearly caused accident . Scared the bejesus out of us . Now afraid to drive.
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
passenger side bottom carriage is completely rusted. steering wheel shakes car makes knocking noise. just noticed there was a recall on it. i’ve only had this vehicle 7 months with 90,000 miles on it.
NHTSA complaint: Steering
THE WHOLE FRAME IS RUSTED MAKE A LOUD CRACKING AND OTHER NOISES. AFRAID TO DRIVE WAS INSPECTED BY TIRE SHOP THEY WOULD NOT WORK ON IT. CAR HAS BEEN PARKED IN FRONT OF MY DAUGHTER HOME.
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
THE SUV HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR UNUSUAL RUSTING OF THE ENTIRE UNDERSIDE, THE NHTSA SAID THE STRUTS MAY RUST AND BREAK AWAY FROM THE BODY, THAT IS HAPPENING. WE CALLED THE NISSAN DEALER IN WINCHESTER VIRGINIA, THEY LIED AND
NHTSA complaint: Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 INFINTI QX4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (INFINITI OF AKRON LOCATED AT 3332 S ARLINGTON RD AKRON, OH 44312), BUT WAS NO
NHTSA complaint: Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 INFINITI QX4. UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THERE WAS SEVERE CORROSION OF THE FRAME NEAR THE STRUT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHA
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2001 Infiniti QX4. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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,
Risk: 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
Fix: 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. O
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, TENNESSEE, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIR
Risk: THIS MAY RESULT IN SURFACE RUST BUT NOT PERFORATION OF THE TUBE. HOWEVER, IN THOSE AREAS OF THE COUNTRY WHICH USE HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT IN THE WINTER, IF A MIXTURE OF SNOW/WATER AND SALT
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILLER TUBE ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ONE WITH AN IMPROVED COATING PROCESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 26, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE AN IGNITION LOCK ASSEMBLY WITH IMPROPERLY SEATED KEY CYLINDER CAP CONNECTOR PINS. VIBRATION CAN CAUSE THE CONNECTING PINS TO LOOSEN AND/OR FALL OUT ALLOWING THE KEY CYLINDER CAP TO DISENGAGE FROM THE KEY CYLINDER.
Risk: IF THIS OCCURS, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK ROD CAN MOVE, WHICH COULD LOCK THE STEERING WHEEL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE IGNITION LOCK ASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLIES WITH LOOSE OR MISSING END CAP CONNECTOR PINS WILL BE REPLACED. A RING CLIP WILL BE INSTALLED ON ALL OTHERS TO PREVENT LOOSENING OF THE P
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. SOME OF THE BRACKETS USED TO ATTACH THE TWO GAS STRUTS TO THE REAR DOOR (HATCH) MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY MADE. AT HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES, THE INCREASE IN GAS PRESSURE IN THE STRUT(S) COULD CAUSE ONE OR BOTH BRACKETS TO BEND, RESULTING IN THE STRUT
Risk: IF BOTH STRUTS DETACH FROM THE BRACKETS, THE DOOR WILL RAPIDLY FALL DOWN, POSSIBLY STRIKING SOMEONE AND CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STRUT BRACKETS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 24, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE
| Reliability raw | 82 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 78 | good |
| Maintenance | 73 | good |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 62 | average |
| Efficiency | 29 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 75 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and equipment is the most reported area with 16 of them (21%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 82/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 78/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2001 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 69/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.