2002 Infiniti I35: common problems and reliability
One of the worst I35 years.
One of the Infiniti I35 years to avoid. All I35 years
76 owner complaints, most about engine and engine cooling. 5 recalls.
Should I buy a 2002 I35?The 2002 Infiniti I35 has 76 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are engine and engine cooling and suspension.
Safety record for the 2002 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2002 Infiniti I35 vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other I35 years only. How we score it
Is 2002 a good year for the I35?
Across the 4 I35 model years we track, complaint volume runs from 2 (2001) to 95 (2003). With 76 complaints, the 2002 I35 sits about the same as the model's median of 76.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2002 I35
air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Campaign 20V008000Nissan 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
Campaign 15V287000Nissan 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.
suspension:front:control arm:lower arm
Campaign 02V146000ON 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.
engine and engine cooling
Campaign 03V455000ON 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.
Show 1 more recall
vehicle speed control
Campaign 02V043000ON 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.
What owners say across generations
Overwhelmingly positive sentiment regarding long-term reliability and value for money, particularly for well-maintained, high-mileage examples.
Owner insights cover all generations of the I35. See the full I35 owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used I35 listings typically run $5,195–$8,068 across 2002 to 2004 model years.
Other I35 model years
Compare every I35 year side by side to see how 2002 ranks against the rest.
Compare the I35 against its rivals
Looking at a specific car?
We're building a full check by VIN: the exact trim and engine, its known problems and recalls, what to inspect, a fair price, and how it compares with its rivals. Get an email when it's ready.
One email when it launches. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy