GVWR: Class 1D: 5,001 - 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg)
Make: INFINITI
Manufacturer: NISSAN MOTOR COMPANY, LTD
Manufacturer Id: 996
Model: QX4
Model Year: 2003
Note: The full model change for each vehicle line ranges from 0 to 9 except for the XTERRA and NISSAN QUEST; in the case of the XTERRA, the code starts from "2" and in the case of the NISSAN QUEST, the code starts from "2"
THE BUILT-ON RUNNING BOARDS (THESE ARE NOT AN ADD-ON FEATURE TO THE VEHICLE, BUT CAME STANDARD ON ALL QX-4S) HAVE BRACKETS AND A TUBULAR STEEL SUPPORT BEAMS THAT SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF ANY PASSENGER STEPPING ON THEM TO ENTER THE VEHICLE. THE SUPPORT BEAM AND SUPPORT BRACKETS HAVE ENTIRELY RUSTED AWAY; THERE IS LITTLE TO NO OTHER RUST ON OTHER AREAS OF THE VEHICLE. A LOCAL BODY SHOP IDENTIFIED AND NOTIFIED THE OWNER OF THE DANGER ASSOCIATED WITH NON-SUPPORTED RUNNING BOARDS. A CONSUMER COULD EASILY BE INJURED IF STEPPING ON THE RUNNING BOARDS TO ENTER THE VEHICLE AND HAVING THEM COLLAPSE. THE INJURY CERTAINLY COULD BE MORE ACUTE FOR ELDERLY, DISABLED, OR CHILDREN IN THE EVENT OF A COLLAPSE. THE TUBULAR STEEL SUPPORT BEAMS AND BRACKETS HAVE NO RUST INHIBITOR ON THEM WHILE THE OTHER METAL SECTIONS OF THE RUNNING BOARDS WERE COATED WITH RUST INHIBITOR AND SHOW NO RUST. THERE WAS A DESIGN FLAW EITHER ASSOCIATED WITH THE TYPE OF METAL USED OR A LACK OF RUST INHIBITOR ON THE PARTS THAT HAVE DISINTEGRATED. THE COST TO REPLACE IS QUITE EXORBITANT AND THE REPLACEMENTS MAY HAVE THE SAME DESIGN FLAW. THE SHORT TERM SOLUTION HAS BEEN TO ENTIRELY REMOVE THE RUNNING BOARDS OFF OF THE VEHICLE TO ELIMINATE THE DANGER. THIS MAKES FOR A TALL VERTICAL STEP-IN, BUT IS LESS RISKY THEN THE FAULTY RUNNING BOARDS. *TR
2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT
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