Recall 10V312 affects 46 2002 INFINITI QX4 and Pathfinder vehicles for a passenger air bag inflator defect. Repair is free at any franchised INFINITI dealer.
INFINITI is recalling 46 2002 QX4 and Pathfinder vehicles because the front passenger air bag inflator was built with improperly installed propellant wafers. The defect can raise pressure during air bag deployment, rupture the inflator housing, and send pieces toward occupants; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The front passenger air bag inflator in the 2002 QX4 and Pathfinder is the metal canister that creates gas to fill the air bag during a crash. Inside it are propellant wafers, which burn in a controlled way so the passenger air bag deploys at the intended speed and pressure.
In affected vehicles, some inflators were assembled without one of those wafers. With normal driving vibration, the remaining wafers can break down into powder over time. Powder burns faster than intact wafers, so pressure inside the inflator can rise suddenly when the air bag deploys.
There is no warning sign before failure. The issue is inside the inflator, so an owner would not hear, smell, or feel a change during normal driving.
Who's affected?
Covers 2 SUV models in the same model year, both tied to the front air bag component.
| 2002 INFINITI QX4 | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2002 Nissan Pathfinder | front air bag |
| Units affected | 46 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the front passenger air bag inflator housing ruptures, pieces of the inflator can strike occupants and cause injury. Keep passengers out of the front seat until your VIN is checked and schedule the repair soon if included. Repair will be free at any franchised INFINITI dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2002 INFINITI QX4 or Pathfinder is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised INFINITI dealer and ask about the front passenger air bag module assembly replacement that fixes the affected inflator.
- Reference recall number 10V312 when you call the dealer.
- Bring the owner notice if you have it. The dealer repair is free.
- Call INFINITI customer service at 1-800-647-7261 with questions before your appointment.
What happens at the repair
The listed dealer repair is a replacement of the front passenger air bag module assembly. Once the recall repair is available through the dealer, an INFINITI technician replaces the affected module with a new assembly. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. If your VIN is included, ask the INFINITI service desk to confirm the passenger air bag module replacement for recall 10V312 and whether any related inspection is needed before the new assembly is installed.
Timeline
| July 6, 2010 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 19, 2010 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 10V312?
Recall 10V312 covers 46 2002 INFINITI QX4 and Pathfinder vehicles with a front passenger air bag inflator defect. The propellant wafers inside the inflator were installed incorrectly, which can cause the inflator housing to rupture during deployment. INFINITI dealers will replace the front passenger air bag module assembly for free.
What should I do if my 2002 INFINITI QX4 or Pathfinder is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 10V312. If it is, contact a franchised INFINITI dealer and ask for the front passenger air bag module assembly replacement. Reference recall number 10V312 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair this safety defect at no cost, and the remedy for recall 10V312 is a free replacement of the front passenger air bag module assembly at a franchised INFINITI dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is injury from the front passenger air bag inflator. INFINITI reported that the inflator housing can rupture during air bag deployment, and pieces of the inflator can strike and injure vehicle occupants. The repair path is the free air bag module replacement.
What if I bought my 2002 INFINITI QX4 or Pathfinder used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included, then call a franchised INFINITI dealer with recall number 10V312 and ask for the free air bag module replacement.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/10V312000 |
|---|---|
| INFINITI customer service | 1-800-647-7261 |
| NHTSA recall # | 10V312 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 10V312000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 3, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →