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2003 Infiniti QX4

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2003 QX4.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2003 Infiniti QX4 is an SUV equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission that achieves EPA fuel economy ratings of 14/19/16 mpg while requiring 5.3 quarts of 5W-30 API oil for engine maintenance. Ownership data for this model year documents 22 total complaints largely focused on the suspension system alongside four recalls, marking it as a distinct entry within the 1997-2006 production run. This places the 2003 model in a moderate position regarding reliability history, situated between the 75 complaints recorded in 2001 and the single issue reported in 2004.

Model year2003 2002 2000 1999 1998 1997

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.3 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque87-108 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy14/19/16 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24 · 490 CCA battery, OE oil filter 1520865F0E. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 24 · 490 CCAOEM · verified

Tail / brake / turnTAILOEM · verified

Tire sizeP245-65SR17OEM · verified

Wheel / rim8-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	1520865F0E
Engine air filter	16546V0100
Fuel filter	164000W005
Spark plug	224015M015 alt 224015M016
Front wiper blades	288903W41A alt 288903W40A
Serpentine belt	11920AG900 alt 117204P102
Thermostat	212306N20A alt 1305031U00
Cabin air filter	27277VP03A

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	183.1 in
Overall width	72.4 in
Overall height	70.9 in
Wheelbase	106.3 in
Curb weight	4352 lb
Track (front / rear)	59.8 / 59.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	55/45

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	14 / 19 / 16 mpg
Drivetrain	Rear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the QX4 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.7–12.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.70 sec — 2001 SUV

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2001	SUV 3.5L V6	8.70 sec	16.50 sec	240 hp	4x4
2001	SUV 3.5L V6	9.30 sec	17.00 sec	240 hp	4x4
2001	SUV 3.5L V6	9.60 sec	17.01 sec	240 hp	4x4
1997	SUV 3.3L V6	11.50 sec	17.90 sec	168 hp	4x4
1997	SUV 3.3L V6	12.00 sec	18.70 sec	168 hp	4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.3 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, SYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 87-108 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 28.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil	SYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	5.8 Pints
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	5.3 qt
Power Steering Fluid	ATF
Transfer Case Fluid	ATF
Transfer Case Fluid Capacity	4.6 Pints

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts	65 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	28.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	87-108 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	18.0-25.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	18.0-25.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	750 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	50 rpm
Spark Plug Gap	0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque	18.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing	15, Not adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance	2 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPM	Idle rpm

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	.99 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	6.10 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	24
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	490 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	11-14 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	170 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)	43.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	34.0 psi
Engine Compression	142
Engine Oil Pressure	14 psi @ Idle, 43 psi @ 2000 rpm psi
Intake Valve Lash	0.010-0.013 in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	24-31 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	127-134 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.004 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	1.1 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	1.1 in
Rotor Minimum Machining	1.024 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

14-15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90-95

14–15 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

79-36 ft. lbs., step 2: +60 degrees-66

79–36 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

1	72.0 ft. lbs.	72 ft. lbs
2	Loosen all bolts completely in order.
3	26.0-32.0 ft. lbs.	26–32 ft. lbs
4	90-95 degrees	90–95 degrees

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

24-28 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90-95

24–28 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 mi	Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
At 60,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 mi	Steering System (inspect) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2003 Infiniti QX4 represents a notable inflection point in the generation’s federal record. Complaints dropped to 22 from 39 in 2002 and 75 in 2001, marking the lowest figure since 1998, while recalls held steady at four—down from 2002’s peak of six but equal to 2001. Investigations remained at two for the second consecutive year, suggesting lingering scrutiny, though the data doesn’t specify root causes. Top complaint areas shifted toward suspension and structural issues, with fewer reports of brake-related problems compared to earlier years. This trend implies Nissan addressed some of the generation’s earlier reliability concerns by 2003, though the persistence of investigations warrants caution. **Given the reduced complaints, stable recalls, and absence of fire-related incidents, the 2003 QX4 appears to be one of the stronger years in the generation to buy.**

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

2 involved a crash · 0 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02’03’04 ’06

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 22 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Suspension5

Suspension,Structure3

Service Brakes, Hydraulic3

Structure2

Air Bags1

Steering,Structure1

Engine1

Fuel/Propulsion System1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V008000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 09/01/2020

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… 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…

15V287000Air BagsReported 15/05/2015

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 71 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
ITB09-063C	2026-04-13	Structure	CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
ITB13-052E	2024-05-20	Electrical System	INTELLIGENT KEY NOT DETECTED / ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See…
ITB17-009H	2024-04-29	Visibility/Wiper	WINDOW GLASS WARRANTY INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY…
ITB13-007I	2024-04-29	Visibility/Wiper	REMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See…
ITB09-039K	2024-04-29	Visibility/Wiper	WINDSHIELD CRACKING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific QX4. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 24 battery Vehicles taking 5.3 qt Engine oil filter 1520865F0E Engine air filter 16546V0100 Fuel filter 164000W005 Spark plug 224015M015

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2003 QX4 take?

5.3 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2003 QX4 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the QX4 get?

EPA figures are 14 city / 19 highway / 16 combined mpg.