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 39 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Infiniti QX4, and it carries 6 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 6 | 15% |
| Suspension | 4 | 10% |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 8% |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 8% |
| Suspension | 2 | 5% |
| Structure | 2 | 5% |
| Air bags | 2 | 5% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 2 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 3% |
| Air bags | 1 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 worki
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
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 si
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
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
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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 D
NHTSA complaint: Structure
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 T
NHTSA complaint: Structure
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 MECH
NHTSA complaint: Steering
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 TH
NHTSA complaint: Steering
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2002 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 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
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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 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 nece
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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
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 caus
Risk: 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 inj
Fix: 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. N
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
| Reliability raw | 70 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 73 | 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 39 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and steering is the most reported area with 6 of them (15%). There are 6 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 70/100 (good) 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 73/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2002 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 65/100. 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.