The 2002 Infiniti I35 has 5 safety recalls and 70 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (16 complaints).
Recalls5safety recalls
Complaints70filed by owners
Crashes · fires11 · 2reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths15 · 11reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
NHTSA recall 20V008000 · Jan 9, 2020 · 307,962 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: 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.
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 customer service at 888-737-9511 or Infiniti customer service at 888-810-3715.
Air bags
NHTSA recall 15V287000 · May 15, 2015 · 1,090,569 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: 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.
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 injury or death.
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. Note: On December 18, 2015 Nissan informed NHTSA of an amendment of this recall to remove 2004-2005 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 vehicles.
Engine and engine cooling
NHTSA recall 03V455000 · Nov 17, 2003 · 630,000 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Risk: THIS COULD CAUSE THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON, CREATE A NO START CONDITION, CAUSE REDUCED ENGINE POWER, OR CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRANK POSITION SENSORS. CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR(S), AND IN SOME CASES, THE VARIABLE TIMING CONTROL SENSOR(S). VEHICLES INVOLVED IN A PREVIOUS RECALL CAMPAIGN, 01V357, ARE ALSO INCLUDED IN THIS NEW CAMPAIGN. THE REPLACEMENT SENSORS USED IN THAT CAMPAIGN ARE ALSO AFFECTED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower arm
NHTSA recall 02V146000 · May 30, 2002 · 90,500 vehicles
Problem: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE PIN AT THE END OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION TRANSVERSE LINK (LOWER CONTROL ARM) COULD BREAK WHERE IT IS MOUNTED TO THE FRAME.
Risk: THIS CAN CAUSE A KNOCKING SOUND AND ABNORMAL STEERING. THIS COULD RESULT IN DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRANSVERSE LINKS ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES WITH NEW ONES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 29, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
Vehicle speed control
NHTSA recall 02V043000 · Feb 12, 2002 · 39,000 vehicles
Problem: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM, THE STOPPER FOR THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WILL PREVENT EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT OF THE ACCELERATOR POSITION SENSOR. IF THE DRIVER APPLIES OVERLY EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHILE AT THE SAME TIME PUSHING IT TO THE RIGHT, THE PEDAL CAN "OVER TRAVEL" DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE PEDAL STOPPER.
Risk: THIS WILL CAUSE THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP TO COME ON AND THE ENGINE SPEED TO BE SEVERELY LIMITED. IF THIS OCCURS UNEXPECTEDLY, IT COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW ACCELERATOR PEDAL STOPPER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 11, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 800-662-6200.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2002 Infiniti I35 4-DR. w/SAB
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
I35
20mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 24 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Engine and engine cooling Engine › Gasoline; Engine › Diesel
Power train Automatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (prndl)
8
1
0
1
79,227 mi
Exterior lighting
8
0
0
0
185,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic Foundation components; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
7
1
1
5
—
Unknown or other
5
0
0
0
—
Electrical system Ignition
5
1
0
1
—
Fuel system, gasoline Fuel injection system
4
1
0
1
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Aug 21, 2024 · 279,000 milesEngine The contact owns a 2002 Infiniti I35. The contact stated while driving 70â75 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…
Jul 26, 2023Engine and engine cooling 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.
Mar 1, 2021 · 223,000 milesVehicle speed control THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 INFINITI I35. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER TAKING HIS VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V146000 (SUSPENSION) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY DOWNSHIFT WITH THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V043000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONTACT ALSO LINKED THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE…
Jan 7, 2019 · 94,000 milesEngine THE TCS OFF AND SLIP LIGHTS AFTER A NOTICEABLE MISS WHILE ACCELERATING, THE VEHICLE FAILS TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, AND THEN THE VEHICLE STALLS, REGARDLESS OF TRAVELING SPEED, RESULTING IN TOTAL LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKING. AFTER STALLING, THE VEHICLE SOMETIMES WILL RESTART ON FIRST ATTEMPT, OTHER TIMES IT TAKES A FEW TRIES OR TURNING THE KEY TO ON POSITION FOR 5 SECONDS AND THEN TURNING IT BACK TO OFF, REPEATING 2-3 TIMES THEN STARTS.THE PROBLEM IS PERSISTENT, THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO FAIL AT RANDOM ALMOST EVERY TIME IT'S DRIVEN AS SHORT AS 1 MILE DISTANCE, BUT HAS ALSO BEEN DRIVEN 20 MILES WITHOUT FAILING. WHILE DRIVING A DAILY ROUTE, THE PROBLEM…
Nov 1, 2017Air bags TAKATA RECALL MY AIR INFLATS BY THEMSELVES
Aug 10, 2017 · 85,000 milesEngine I HAD RECENTLY HAD SOME WORK DONE ON MY CAR TO REPLACE THE RIGHT BEARING WHEEL AND THE POWER STEERING LINE, AS THERE WAS A LEAK AND LOUD ROARING NOISE WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AS CONFIRMED BY THE MECHANIC. ABOUT A WEEK LATER, I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY (AT ABOUT 65 MPH) WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I FELT A JERKING IN THE CAR, SUDDENLY THE ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON, AND THE THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE SHOT ALL THE WAY UP. I PULLED TO SIDE OF THE ROAD AS SOON AS I COULD BECAUSE I SAW WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I HAD BOUGHT THIS CAR ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO FROM MY UNCLE AND I HAD TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR THE TAKATA RECALL. THEY NEVER MENTIONED ANYTHING ELSE. THEN ABOUT A MONTH BEFORE THIS…
May 13, 2015Air bags 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.
Jun 24, 2016 · 111,000 milesEngine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 INFINITI I35. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INCREASED AND THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND LET IT COOL OFF BEFORE TAKING IT TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE RADIATOR FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021 · openDesiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled…