Reliability
Infiniti

QX4 (R50)

2000-2003 · Midsize SUV · 3 engines
161 NHTSA Complaints
9 Recalls
1 Fire Reports
15 Crash Reports
Inspection checklist

Reliability Score

9.1 / 10

Reliability score

Very few owner complaints against similar midsize SUVs

The class average is 7.0. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Owners filed 30 powertrain complaints. A typical midsize SUV fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 98.

Scores this high have held: three years on they had moved 0.1 points in the typical case.

Breakdown
Complaints overall30 complaints against about 98 for similar vehicles
9.1
Last three years
n/aNot enough data
Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced3 complaints against about 20 for similar vehicles
9.6
Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating
n/aNot enough data

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is the class average. A line needs 20 expected complaints to show a number.

By model year
  • 20009.0
  • 20019.2
  • 20029.1
  • 20039.2

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

On the record

No serious powertrain recall covering 5% or more of this generation and no escalated investigation in NHTSA's files. Warranty extensions and settlements have not been researched.

Complaints by Engine Code

Infiniti QX4 Unidentified Engine

76 complaints 19.0 per year
1 fire report
View details

Complaint Breakdown

other
21
body
15
suspension
13
steering
9
brakes
7

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Infiniti QX4, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Suspension: 43 owner complaints
Body/Trim: 36 owner complaints
Steering: 20 owner complaints
Fuel System: 14 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2000-2003 Infiniti QX4

On a used 2000-2003 Infiniti QX4, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the suspension (43), the body and structure (36) and the steering (20). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

  1. Drive over a speed bump and a rough patch at 15 to 20 mph with the radio off.Safety. NHTSA has 43 owner complaints on the 2000-2003 Infiniti QX4 about the suspension.
  2. Open and close every door, the hood and the trunk or hatch. Check the latches, the seals and the gaps between panels.Minor. NHTSA has 36 owner complaints on the 2000-2003 Infiniti QX4 about the body and structure.
  3. Turn the wheel from lock to lock while parked, then drive straight on a level road with a light grip.Safety. NHTSA has 20 owner complaints on the 2000-2003 Infiniti QX4 about the steering.
  4. Let the engine idle for five minutes, walk around the car and smell for fuel.Safety. NHTSA has 14 owner complaints on the 2000-2003 Infiniti QX4 about the fuel system, all engines combined.
Open the full inspection checklist for the 2000-2003 Infiniti QX4

Recalls (9)

22E066000Aug 9, 2022critical
Air Bags

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.

20V008000Jan 9, 2020critical
Air Bags

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.

17V068000Feb 2, 2017critical
Air Bags

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.

15V287000May 15, 2015critical
Air Bags

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.

11V244000Apr 20, 2011serious
Steering

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, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WASHINGTON D.C., WEST VIRGINIA AND WISCONSIN. IN AREAS OF THE COUNTRY IN WHICH HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT ARE USED, A MIXTURE OF SNOW/WATER AND SALT MAY ENTER AN ASSEMBLY LOCATION HOLE IN THE UPPER STRUT HOUSING, CAUSING WATER TO COLLECT AT THE MATING SURFACE OF THE STRUT HOUSING PANEL AND THE INNER HOOD LEDGE ASSEMBLY. OVER TIME, THIS SNOW/WATER AND SALT INTRUSION MAY RESULT IN CORROSION OF THE STRUT TOWER HOUSING IN SOME SUBJECT VEHICLES.

Show 4 older recalls
10V312000Jul 6, 2010serious
Air Bags

NISSAN IS RECALLING FORTY-SIX CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002 PATHFINDER AND INFINITI QX4 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 24, 2001 THROUGH AUGUST 28, 2001. THE AIR BAG INFLATOR CONTAINS PROPELLANT WAFERS THAT ARE REQUIRED TO PROPERLY DEPLOY THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG. DUE TO IMPROPER PROPELLANT WAFER INSTALLATION DURING THE AIR BAG INFLATOR ASSEMBLY PROCESS, SOME AIR BAG INFLATORS MAY BE MISSING ONE OF THE WAFERS. AS A RESULT, THE REMAINING WAFERS IN THE INFLATOR USED FOR THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG MAY, OVER TIME, BREAK UP INTO POWDER DUE TO NORMAL VIBRATION EXPERIENCED WHILE DRIVING. THIS CAUSES THE COMBUSTION RATE OF THE PROPELLANT TO INCREASE INSIDE THE INFLATOR, WHICH CAN LEAD TO INTERNAL PRESSURE RISING SUDDENLY DURING AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.

07V435000Sep 18, 2007serious
Fuel System

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 VIRGINIA , WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, DURING THE COATING PROCESS OF THE FUEL FILLER TUBE ASSEMBLY, AN INSUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF COATING MAY HAVE BEEN APPLIED AT THE LOWER MOUNTING BRACKET. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN OPENING IN THE COATING WHICH CAN ALLOW WATER TO ENTER AND MAKE CONTACT WITH THE BARE METAL OF THE TUBE.

01V282000Aug 30, 2001serious
Structure

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 STRUTS DETACHING FROM THE BRACKET(S) WHEN OPENING OR CLOSING THE REAR DOOR.

00V410000Dec 5, 2000serious
Electrical System

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.

NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings

Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
3/5
ESC: No FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
3/5
ESC: No FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
3/5
ESC: No FCW: No LDW: No

Alternatives in Midsize SUV

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2000-2003 Infiniti QX4 complaints?

Owners have filed 161 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000-2003 Infiniti QX4. The systems they name most often are the suspension, the body and trim and the steering.

Is the 2000-2003 Infiniti QX4 a good used car?

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 161 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000-2003 Infiniti QX4. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2000-2003 Infiniti QX4 have?

NHTSA has 161 owner complaints on file for the 2000-2003 Infiniti QX4 as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2000-2003 Infiniti QX4?

NHTSA lists 9 recalls covering some 2000-2003 Infiniti QX4 vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used Infiniti QX4?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the suspension, the body and trim and the steering, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the QX4?

The 2003 Infiniti QX4 received an overall N/A-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: N/A stars. Side crash: N/A stars. Rollover: 3 stars. Electronic Stability Control: No. Forward Collision Warning: No. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 161 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.

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