KnownCarProblems2002 Infiniti I35 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 70 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Infiniti I35, most often about the engine (33% of complaints, typically around 140,500 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about I35 model year since 2000 and has 5 recalls.
Most common 2002 Infiniti I35 problems
Engine
23 complaints · 33%Half of these problems showed up before 140,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
The contact owns a 2002 Infiniti I35. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 5 MPH, the engine stalled. The vehicle was able to restart after one attempt. The failure recurred on one occasion. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure and the VIN was…
Piston rings are failing in this vehicle. Many other vehicles that use this same engine may have the same piston rings, such as the Infiniti g35, or nissan maxima which use the 3.5l vq35de engine of similar years. The piston rings were originally designed for the vq30 block, and were fitted to vq35de pistons. These…
Air bags
12 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 125,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
I received recall notice to have an authorized dealer repair the air bag system. As I have no Infiniti dealer in my vicinity, I am requesting reimbursement for time and fuel to take my car to the nearest Infiniti dealer, perhaps bakersfield, ca. My local nissan said they cannot perform this repair! Please advise.
I was in a car accident on 10/8/09 and was hit in the front of my car at approx. 55mi per hour. My passenger air bag deployed, but my driver side did not. I did not have a passenger in the car. I called Infiniti consumer affairs, and they told me, if the airbag feels the driver is rigid enough and that the seat belt…
Suspension
11 complaints · 16%Parts named most often: front, rear.
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…
Speed control
9 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 94,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.
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…
Our 2002 Infiniti I-35 has accelerated on its own 3 times. The first time we were turning around in our friend's driveway and it took off in reverse. The second time we were first in line at a stop light. The third time, I was moving the car in our driveway and it went through our neighbor's fence causing $8,000…
Brakes
8 complaints · 11%Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
Frozen rear brakes, evident after hearing some noise in rear. First incident was 5 years ago. Corporate Infiniti would not help pay for repair, calling my home state (ny) a "salt" state. Now the same failure occurred costing another $750. Both the Infiniti dealer then and my local repair shop now admit that infinitis…
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…
Steering
7 complaints · 10%Parts named most often: steering wheel/handle bar, linkages.
Lights
7 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 185,000 miles.
85% of all accidents occur during low light situations. The new plastic lights are economically unreasonable to replace. The lights for my 2002 vehicle are $1,000.00 each. The lights are all sandblasted and foggy and do not emit light well. I can't afford to replace the lights when the lights cost almost as much as…
Government reports indicate that 85% of all accidents occur during low light situations. The new plastic lights, that come on every automobile, are economically unreasonable to replace when they get sand blasted or fogged over from exposure to the sun and other elements of nature. The lights for my 2002 vehicle are…
Transmission
6 complaints · 9%Parts named most often: automatic transmission, axle assembly.
Traveled approx 25 miles. Was first in line to approach a red stop light. As the accelerator was let up and brakes applied, the car did not stop. As the car crossed into the intersection of on-coming traffic, I took the automatic transmission from "drive" into "neutral". The car stopped and rpms increased indicating a…
I own a 2002 Infiniti I35. While I was driving at approximately 35 miles per hour, making a left turn, I was hit on the rear driver's side (t-boned). Non of my air bags deployed and I was severely injured. I sustained injuries to my neck, both shoulders and my back. The driver of the other vehicle illegally ran a stop…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 Infiniti I35 recalls
Air bags: inflator module
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.
Full defect summary
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 bags
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Engine: engine and engine cooling
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Suspension: lower arm
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Speed control: vehicle speed control
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Summary
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 substa
Questions about the 2002 Infiniti I35
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Infiniti I35?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (23 complaints, typically around 140,500 miles); air bags (12 complaints, typically around 125,000 miles); suspension (11 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Infiniti I35 have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from January 9, 2020 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the Infiniti I35?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about I35 model year since 2000, with 70 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.