Summary
The INFINITI QX4 has 7 recalls spanning the 1997–2003 production run, the most serious being a Takata airbag inflator defect on 2002 models where the front passenger airbag inflator can rupture in a crash and send metal fragments into the cabin, causing serious injury or death.
The 2002 model year also has a related but distinct airbag concern: long-term exposure to heat and humidity can degrade the passenger airbag propellant, causing the bag to deploy with excessive force. Taken together, 2002 owners face the most consequential safety exposure of any year in this production run.
On 2000 models, connector pins in the ignition lock assembly can loosen or fall out due to vibration, allowing the key cylinder cap to separate and the steering wheel lock rod to shift into the locked position while driving, taking away steering control.
For 1997–2003 vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the upper Midwest and Northeast salt-belt states, the front strut housing can crack and pull away from the inner hood ledge assembly, affecting front suspension integrity.
The 1997 model year has a separate corrosion issue limited to vehicles in heavy road-salt areas: the fuel filler tube can rust through, allowing fuel to leak when filling the tank or shortly after.
