2002 Infiniti I35 Problems

What owners report

Complaints on the 2002 Infiniti I35 are spread across a wide range of systems, but the most repeated theme is the engine quitting: owners describe stalling at speed or at a stop, traced by mechanics to the crank or cam position sensor, which is also the subject of a 2003 recall. The other frequent threads are front-end shake and pull that dealers often called normal, and air bag concerns, most of them tied to recall notifications rather than to a specific failure. Mileage in the sample runs from near-new cars to examples past 200,000 miles.

1. 1
   Engine

   Engine stalls - crank/camshaft position sensor

   • 14 complaints (20%)
   • median 140,000 mi at 10.5 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2002–2024

   Owners describe the vehicle shutting off without warning at various speeds, sometimes restarting on the first try and sometimes needing several attempts, with the check engine, traction control or ABS lights coming on. Mechanics in the complaints most often diagnosed a failed crankshaft or camshaft position sensor, and several owners said the vehicle was not covered by recall 03V455000 or that the recall had already been done. Some also linked the condition to loss of power steering and power braking when the engine stopped. Reported from about 26,000 miles upward, with many complaints between 100,000 and 200,000 miles.

   Recall 03V455000

   What to check: Ask whether recall 03V455000 was performed and whether the crank and cam sensors have been replaced with receipts. Before buying, note whether the engine restarts cleanly from cold and whether any warning lights stay on after startup.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was traveling approx. 70 MPH on the interstate and the vehicle jerked , lost power and re-accelerated without losing power. The tcs off/slip and service engine soon lights all came on simultaneously. I stopped by the store and had difficulty starting the car. I immediately drove to advance auto parts to have it diagnosed because it was right across the street. It was diagnosed as a cam shaft position sensor . Our mechanic recommended we contact Infiniti because there was a recall for this same issue (03v455000). …”

   NHTSA complaint #10538354, filed 2013-09, 156,000 miles

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11175884, filed 2019-02, 94,000 miles
2. 2
   Suspension

   Front-end shake, pull and vibration

   • 10 complaints (14%)
   • median 96,000 mi at 7.5 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2002–2012

   Numerous owners describe the front end pulling strongly to one side or the other, shaking, vibrating or feeling loose on bumpy or uneven roads, in some cases to the point of losing control. Several say the dealer told them the car was behaving normally or that the condition is a known issue handled case by case, and some mention repeat suspension repairs with knocking or squeaking returning afterward. A related 2002 recall covers the front lower control arm, but owners report the symptom whether or not their VIN was included. Reported from brand-new mileage up through 160,000 miles, often on rough roads.

   Recall 02V1460002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Have a shop check the front lower control arms, ball joints, tie rods and struts for play, and ask if recall 02V146000 was done. Drive it at highway speed on an uneven stretch and see whether it tracks straight.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving on the highway and heard knocking sounds coming from the front right-side lower area whenever I ride over a small bump or uneven areas on the road it sound like a suspension problem. I took my car to the dealer and some part of the suspension was fixed. Now the knocking sound is back along with a squeaking noise. I spend approximately $3,500 and seem to have the same dangerous defect. Thank you,”

   NHTSA complaint #10464981, filed 2012-07, 96,000 miles

   “When pressing gfas pedal front end pulls strongly and dagerously to one side or another. Front end palys freely, shaes, vibrate, woble and steps with a very rough and uncontrolable drive. Brakes in speed higher that 30 doesn't stop car. Sometimes when I prees gas pedal nothing happen and car die on me.”

   NHTSA complaint #760485, filed 2002-04
3. 3
   Air bags

   Air bags not deploying in crashes

   • 10 complaints (14%)
   • median 125,000 mi at 11.8 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2002–2016

   Several owners involved in front, side and rear impacts state that the driver air bag did not deploy even when the passenger bag did, and a few report that no air bags deployed at all. When owners contacted the manufacturer, the responses described in the complaints involved explanations about seat belt use and sensor thresholds rather than a repair. Separately, many complaints concern the passenger inflator recalls, with owners saying parts were unavailable or that a dealer could not perform the work. Reported across the full mileage range, from low-mileage crashes to cars above 160,000 miles.

   Recall 20V008000Recall 15V2870004 related service bulletins

   What to check: Confirm with an Infiniti or Nissan dealer whether recalls 20V008000 and 15V287000 were completed and get written proof. Ask a technician to check for stored air bag fault codes and whether the air bag warning lamp behaves normally through a startup self-test.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10714029, filed 2015-05, 125,000 miles

   “I drive a 2002 Infiniti I35 I was involved in a classic t-bone collision the front end of my vehicle totally destroyed and both vehicles were totaled. The passenger airbag deployed in my vehicle but the driver airbag did not deploy. I was wearing my safety belt. When I reported the incident to nissan/Infiniti their response was to send the 2009 airbag safety manual and stated that their were no differences between the 2002/2009 model vehicles. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10291835, filed 2009-11, 74,500 miles
4. 4
   Exterior lighting

   Cloudy, sand-blasted headlights

   • 7 complaints (10%)
   • median 185,000 mi at 12.2 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • owner-quoted repair $1,000 (median of 7 quotes)
   • filed 2013–2014

   A cluster of owners report that the plastic headlight assemblies become fogged and pitted from sun and road exposure, so light output drops noticeably, and they object to the cost of replacement units. Complaints of this kind describe the condition as developing with age rather than from any single event. No repair or remedy is described in these complaints. Reported on cars around 12 years old and at roughly 185,000 miles.

   What to check: Inspect both headlight lenses for yellowing, cloudiness or pitting and check output at night or against a wall. Price replacement assemblies before agreeing on a purchase, and note that polishing kits address surface haze only.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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 $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 the car. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10556532, filed 2013-12, 185,000 miles

   “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 $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 the car. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10556268, filed 2013-12, 185,000 miles
5. 5
   Vehicle speed control

   Sudden loss of acceleration or unintended acceleration

   Mentioned in 6 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe two opposite symptoms from the same area: pressing the gas with no response, leaving the car at idle, and the car revving on its own, lurching forward or accelerating while the brake is applied. In the no-throttle cases mechanics identified a faulty throttle body or sensor, while the surging cases were sometimes not reproducible at the dealer. One owner linked the concern to the 2002 accelerator pedal recall but said their VIN was not included. Mostly between 40,000 and 170,000 miles; the surging reports tend to occur after long highway runs.

   Recall 02V043000

   What to check: Ask whether the throttle body and accelerator pedal assembly have been replaced or serviced and whether recall 02V043000 applies. During a test drive, check that the pedal responds smoothly and that engine speed settles to a normal idle at a stop.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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 stuck accelerator. I tapped the accelerator pedal twice and the car went to idle. I had the car towed to the Infiniti dealership who still has it and has not been able to duplicate the problem. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10372107, filed 2010-12, 160,000 miles

   “1) traveling at high speeds 50-60 MPH for a considerable time frame, one-two hours. On a highway with stop lights-when trying to stop, my Infiniti I35 (yr.2002) accelerates while I am trying to brake. The car lurches foward with the engine going from 1500 RPM to 7000 rpms. The incident repeated itself later on 8/16. We were traveling from baltimore to virgina on route 50--good road accomodating high speeds but has lights as one passes through eastern shore towns. The car was towed to infinite's nearest dealership in va beach. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10088298, filed 2004-08, 59,000 miles

Buying note. On a car this old, records matter more than the model itself: confirm the open air bag and sensor recalls were completed and see receipts for sensor, suspension and cooling work. A pre-purchase inspection that includes the front suspension, throttle response and a cold-start drive is worth the cost here.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.