2003 Infiniti Qx4: what breaks, and at what mileage
What breaks on the 2003 Infiniti Qx4
On the 2003 Infiniti Qx4, the failure owners report most often is strut, shock or spring failure, with 7 reports on file. Across every failure mode on this year, half the dated reports were filed before 125,000 miles. Overall it scores 54 out of 100, elevated risk for a 2003.
Elevated risk for a 2003 — 328th riskiest of the 330 2003 vehicles we can rate. 25 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork.
The failures owners actually file about
Owners have reported 12 named failure modes on the 2003 Infiniti Qx4, and the three most-reported carry 48% of everything filed.
Strut, shock or spring failure leads with 7 reports and about 0.1 per 1,000 vehicles.
Other body or interior problem follows with 3 reports, median 190,000 miles.
ABS module or sensor failure follows with 2 reports, median 5,000 miles.
By system, the reports fall mostly into suspension (9), body (5) and brakes (5).
When these failures get reported
18 of the reports on the 2003 Infiniti Qx4 came with an odometer reading, and half of those were filed before 125,000 miles.
Cumulatively, 11% by 50,000 miles, 44% by 100,000 miles and 67% by 150,000 miles of the dated reports had been filed, with 4 filed above the top of the chart.
The busiest stretch is between 90,000 and 100,000 miles, which alone holds 22% of the dated reports.
11% of the dated reports were filed below 36,000 miles.
Tick median reported mileage Solid middle half of reports Faint 10th to 90th percentile Colour how bad the failure is when it happens
How reports accumulate
Every report with an odometer reading, cumulative, from 0 to 200,000 miles. A further 4 reports came in above that, which is why the line stops short of the top. A curve that climbs early is a car with early problems, whatever its total.
- Line share of reports filed by that mileage
- Dashed the median reported mileage
What happens when these parts fail
Across the named modes, 2 mention a crash and 1 an injury. Those are the words owners used in their own complaints, and NHTSA does not verify them, but they are the closest thing in this data to a measure of what a failure actually did.
The average severity weight across every report on this year is 4.00, where a stalled engine or a failed airbag weighs many times more than a rattling trim panel, and a figure this high means the reports are dominated by failures with safety consequences rather than annoyances. The weighting is set out in full on the methodology page.
What the top failures cost to put right, as editorial estimates for an independent US shop rather than figures from NHTSA: strut, shock or spring failure at $500–$2,000, other body or interior problem at $200–$2,000, ABS module or sensor failure at $500–$2,400 and brake line, hose or caliper failure at $250–$1,600. Dealer labour, a seized bolt or a part that is no longer made can push any of these past the top of its range.
4% of the reports on this year sit in the engine, transmission, drivetrain or cooling systems — the four where a repair bill is usually four figures.
Every reported failure mode
| Failure mode | System | Reports | With reading | 25th | Median | 75th | Per 1,000 | Typical repair | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strut, shock or spring failure | suspension | 7 | 4 | — | 127k | — | 0.1 | $500–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Other body or interior problem | body | 3 | 3 | — | 188k | — | 0.1 | $200–$2,000 | Moderate |
| ABS module or sensor failure | brakes | 2 | 1 | — | 6k | — | 0.0 | $500–$2,400 | High |
| Brake line, hose or caliper failure | brakes | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $250–$1,600 | Critical |
| Rust or structural corrosion | body | 2 | 2 | — | 148k | — | 0.0 | $500–$6,000 | High |
| Other steering problem | steering | 2 | 2 | — | 150k | — | 0.0 | $350–$2,400 | High |
| Fuel tank, filler or EVAP failure | fuel | 1 | 1 | — | 95k | — | 0.0 | $250–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Control arm, ball joint or bushing failure | suspension | 1 | 1 | — | 200k | — | 0.0 | $400–$2,200 | High |
| Other powertrain problem | transmission | 1 | 1 | — | 74k | — | 0.0 | $400–$4,500 | High |
| Other brake problem | brakes | 1 | 1 | — | 6k | — | 0.0 | $300–$1,800 | High |
| Other suspension problem | suspension | 1 | 1 | — | 188k | — | 0.0 | $350–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Other visibility problem | glass | 1 | 1 | — | 65k | — | 0.0 | $150–$1,400 | Moderate |
| Unclassified problem | other | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | — | Moderate |
Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound. Repair costs are typical independent-shop ranges for the failure, not figures from these reports.
How often, against how many were built
Scaled by an estimate of how many of these cars exist, the 2003 Infiniti Qx4 draws about 0.5 per 1,000 vehicles, which puts it in the 68th percentile of complaint rates among 2003 vehicles we can rate.
That denominator is the weakest number on the page and it is fair to say so plainly. Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound.
The working figure is 49,571 vehicles. If the true number is twice that, every rate on this page is half what it says; the ranking against other 2003 vehicles, which is what the risk score uses, is far more robust than the rate itself.
What owners wrote
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint narratives, trimmed for length. The odometer reading is the one the owner gave.
Strut, shock or spring failure
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 infiniti qx4. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the contact heard a banging noise coming from the front strut tower on the driver side. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The mechanic stated that where the subframe met the shock tower was completely corroded. The mechanic stated he would have to weld in new metal in order to repair. The vehicle was repaired. There was an open investigation pe11004 (suspension: front: shock absorbe and suspension: front: macpherson strut ). The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 infiniti qx4. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the contact heard a loud banging noise outside the vehicle and suddenly the vehicle began to lean towards the driver's side. The contact maneuvered to the side of the road to inspect the vehicle and then resumed with caution. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop where they informed that the frame was severely rusted; and the front driver side strut tower fractured due to excessive corrosion. The technician also stated that the failure would eventually affect the steering. The contact planned to have the vehicle repaired. There was an open investigation associated with NHTSA action number pe11004 (suspension: front: shock absorber). The failure mileage was 149,000. Updated 03/22/11*lj updated 1/4/11 *cn
Other body or interior problem
This concern is involving the r1109 recall issued by infiniti. The recall was performed six years ago, however rust, and holes in the metal are now visible. I was told that because the recall was already performed, there was nothing they could do to assist me. This vehicle will soon be unsafe to drive.
Running boards are completely rusted, they will either fall off while driving and could cause an accident or an unsuspecting person could be relying on them to enter the SUV and hurt them selves. The SUV was well taken care of, 1 owner, and the frame rails and chassis are considerably rust free. How come these are in such bad condition? Why don't infiniti have replacements for them alone and not the whole running board for over $1300 per side! That's insane and no one is going to pay that for a 11+ year old SUV! *tr
ABS module or sensor failure
While driving at 35 MPH on a dry single lane paved road, I unavoidably ran my infiniti qx4 SUV over a tree branch in the road. The tree branch briefly became entangled under the vehicle and then was expelled. Once the tree branch was released, my ABS light came on. I took my vehicle to my inifiniti dealer who put the vehicle on a lift. Examination showed no damage to the vehicle other than the wiring assembly to the front wheel sensor had its wire and electrical pin pulled from the electrical connector to the front wheel sensor. Abs for the vehicle was disabled. *la
Recalls on the 2003 model year
NHTSA has issued 4 recall campaigns covering the 2003 Infiniti Qx4, affecting an estimated 68,249 vehicles. A recall is a different kind of evidence from a complaint: it is the regulator and the manufacturer agreeing that something has to be fixed, and the fix is free for as long as the car exists.
The campaigns cover air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module, air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module, air bags and steering:column. Whether the work was actually done on the car in front of you is a question only the VIN can answer, and the manufacturer or NHTSA will answer it free.
Recalls also distort complaint counts. Publicity about a campaign reminds owners that complaining is possible, so reports for a recalled component often spike after the recall rather than before it.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
375 vehicles 2022-08-09- Defect
- 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…
- Consequence
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the inflators as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 14, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
307,962 vehicles 2020-01-09- Defect
- 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…
- Consequence
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- 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
1,090,569 vehicles 2015-05-15- Defect
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
STEERING:COLUMN
195,991 vehicles 2011-04-20- Defect
- 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…
- Consequence
- The strut housing may crack and pull away from the inner hood ledge assembly. This may lead to grinding noises, increased steering effort, and possibly the steering column to break, resulting in the loss of steering control, which could result in a crash.
- Remedy
- Nissan will inspect the strut housing and repair the vehicles as necessary, free of charge. An interim notification letter was sent out in may 2011. The second notice was mailed on july 25, 2011. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the car's age. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before assuming it was done.
How it ranks in the 2003 field
The score at the top of the page, placed among its peers. The zones are the same thresholds the scorer applies, read out of the scorer itself, so the picture and the band word cannot disagree.
Scores are ranked within the model year, never across years, because an older car has had longer to accumulate reports.
- Left fewer and less serious reports
- Right more, or worse
- Marker this vehicle
Where 2003 sits in the model line
Elevated risk for a 2003 — 328th riskiest of the 330 2003 vehicles we can rate. The comparison is always within the same model year, so an older car is never penalised for having had longer to break.
Across the 7 model years of this car that carry enough reports to score, 2000 comes out best at 51 and 2002 worst at 60, with 2003 itself at 54.
No other year of this model scores meaningfully better than 2003, so if this generation is what you want, the year is not the lever.
Within the 1997–2004 generation specifically, 2000 is the strongest year at 51 and 2002 the weakest at 60.
Scores compare each year against other cars of the same model year, so a low number on an older car is a real result and not an artefact of age.
Shorter is better. Years with too few reports to score are shown without a bar rather than as a zero, because no data is not good news.
Within the 1997-2004 generation, 2000 Infiniti Qx4 scores best at 51 and 2002 Infiniti Qx4 worst at 60.
Where these figures stop being useful
25 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork. Every count on this page is therefore a floor: it is the number of owners who went to the trouble of filing with a federal agency, which is a small and self-selected fraction of the owners who had the fault.
Of those 25 reports, 18 carried an odometer reading, so the mileages here describe 72% of the sample rather than all of it. Owners also round: readings pile up on multiples of ten thousand, which is why this site publishes "about 90,000 miles" and not "91,438".
Named failure modes come from matching phrases in the complaint text, so a badly worded complaint can land in the wrong bucket. The effect washes out across hundreds of reports and does not wash out across five.
And nothing here predicts what one car will do. These are other people's complaints, filed years apart, on cars maintained by strangers. Read the page as a map of where this model year has previously gone wrong, then have the specific car in front of you inspected.
Questions this page answers
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Infiniti Qx4?
The most-reported failures are strut, shock or spring failure (7 reports, median 125,000 miles), other body or interior problem (3 reports, median 190,000 miles) and abs module or sensor failure (2 reports, median 5,000 miles). Counts come from owner complaints filed with NHTSA, which are voluntary, so they show what owners bothered to report rather than every fault that occurred.
Is the 2003 Infiniti Qx4 reliable?
It scores 54 out of 100 on our risk index, which is elevated — 328th riskiest of the 330 2003 vehicles we can rate. The score is a comparison against other 2003 vehicles, not a prediction about any individual car, and it is built from complaint rates, severity and how early failures appear.
Which year of the Infiniti Qx4 is best?
Within the 1997–2004 generation, 2000 scores best at 51 out of 100 and 2002 worst at 60. Same body, same engines, different luck.
Where this comes from. Every figure above is computed from NHTSA owner complaints and recall records for this exact make, model and year. Complaints are voluntary and self-selected, so treat counts as a floor. The methodology page writes out each formula, and the same numbers are available as JSON.
What breaks at my mileage Compare with another car
Source Owner complaints and recall records published by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, model years 1996–2027 Figures rebuilt Published by AtWhatMileage How every figure is computed