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Campaign 17V068 Posted February 2, 2017 46 units

2002 INFINITI QX4/Pathfinder Recall 17V068: Takata Air Bag

RN
Reviewed by the RecallNotify editorial team
Published May 25, 2026

Recall 17V068 covers 46 2002 INFINITI QX4 and Pathfinder vehicles for passenger air bag inflator rupture. Free repair once INFINITI opens it.

INFINITI is recalling 46 2002 QX4 and Pathfinder vehicles under recall 17V068 because the passenger frontal air bag inflator can rupture during deployment. If that happens in a crash, metal fragments can strike occupants and cause serious injury or death; the dealer repair will be free once INFINITI opens the final remedy.

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What's wrong?

The passenger frontal air bag inflator is the metal canister inside the air bag module on the dashboard side of the 2002 QX4 and Pathfinder. In a crash that deploys the front air bags, the inflator burns propellant to create gas, which fills the passenger air bag in a fraction of a second. The air bag depends on the inflator opening in a controlled way.

In this INFINITI recall, the affected vehicles use Takata ammonium nitrate inflators. Long exposure to high humidity, high heat, and temperature cycling breaks down the propellant inside the inflator. When the air bag deploys, that degraded propellant creates abnormal pressure, and the inflator can rupture instead of releasing gas safely into the air bag.

There is no warning sign before failure. The air bag light, normal driving feel, and routine cabin checks do not tell you whether this inflator will rupture during a crash deployment.

Who's affected?

Covers QX4 and Pathfinder SUVs from the 2002 model year, both involving the passenger-side front air bag inflator module.

2002 INFINITI QX4 front air bag
2002 Nissan Pathfinder front air bag
Units affected46
Field incidentsNHTSA has logged no field incidents to date.

A matching 2002 QX4 or Pathfinder does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.

What's the safety risk?

An inflator rupture can send metal fragments into the cabin, striking occupants and causing serious injury or death. If your VIN is included, treat the front passenger air bag as the risk area and contact an INFINITI dealer for the repair timeline. Repair will be free at any franchised INFINITI dealer once INFINITI opens it.

What should I do?

  1. Check your VIN to confirm your 2002 INFINITI QX4 or Pathfinder is included in this recall.
  2. Wait for INFINITI's owner notice before scheduling the final dealer repair.
  3. Call INFINITI customer service at 1-800-647-7261 with questions and reference recall number 17V068.
  4. Keep passengers out of the front passenger seat until the air bag assembly replacement is complete.
  5. Bring the recall notice to a franchised INFINITI dealer once the repair opens; the dealer replaces the front passenger air bag assembly so the Takata inflator no longer ruptures during deployment.

What happens at the repair

This recall is listed with an interim repair status. Once INFINITI opens the final dealer repair, an INFINITI technician will replace the front passenger air bag assembly, including the passenger frontal air bag module with the Takata inflator, free under the recall. Parts and labor are covered. For repairs paid before the owner notice, INFINITI's reimbursement statement covers the cost of obtaining that earlier remedy. Keep documentation and ask the service desk how to submit it under the reimbursement process.

ReimbursementReimbursement available

Timeline

February 2, 2017 NHTSA published the recall
February 3, 2017 Dealer notification began
March 30, 2017 Interim owner notification (was planned for this date)
March 31, 2017 Owner notification mailed

Frequently asked questions

What is recall 17V068?

Recall 17V068 covers 46 2002 INFINITI QX4 and Pathfinder vehicles with Takata passenger frontal air bag inflators. In a crash that deploys the front air bags, the inflator can rupture and send metal fragments toward occupants, causing serious injury or death.

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 17V068. If it is, call an INFINITI dealer and ask whether the front passenger air bag assembly replacement is available for your VIN. Reference recall number 17V068 when you call.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the safety defect at no cost, and the remedy says dealers will replace the front passenger air bag assembly free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at a franchised INFINITI dealer.

What is the safety risk?

The safety risk is metal fragments entering the cabin during an air bag deployment. The defect involves the passenger frontal air bag inflator, which can rupture in a crash and strike occupants. The free repair replaces the front passenger air bag assembly.

What if I bought this vehicle used?

The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2002 INFINITI QX4 or Pathfinder is included, then call an INFINITI dealer with recall number 17V068.

More information

NHTSA campaign pagenhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V068000
INFINITI customer service1-800-647-7261
NHTSA recall #17V068
NHTSA recall # (full)17V068000

Source documents

This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →