Selling an old Infiniti I30 or I35

So on a 2002 or 2003, check whether that sensor recall was done before you give up on the car. If it's past saving, we buy whole non-running and junk cars, and pickup is free anywhere in the US.

What the I30 is

Wikipedia lists the I30 with the Nissan Maxima as its relative, a front-wheel-drive midsize sedan built at Nissan's Oppama Plant in Yokosuka, Japan. Its generation table gives the A32 (built 1994-1998) V6 engines up to the 3.0-liter VQ30DE, a 4-speed automatic, and the Infiniti J30 as the I30's predecessor. The A33 that followed (1998-2004) lists a 3.0-liter VQ30DE-K among its engines. EPA's data carries both I30 and I35 names between 1996 and 2004.

The split below follows model years, not exact generation dates.

1996-1999: alternators and air bags

These four years hold 119 complaints. The 1998 has the most, 49, and 20 of them name the air bags. The 1998 and 1999 also report 5 and 4 fires.

Two recalls replaced the alternator because a diode could have been damaged when it was built, which can short and melt the plastic housing. 99V129 covered 1998 cars (17,000 vehicles in the campaign). 02V171 covered 1997-1998 cars (161,000). Both campaigns say "passenger vehicles," so other Nissan and Infiniti models may be counted in those totals.

2000-2004: suspension, throttle and engine sensors

The later cars hold 330 complaints. On the 2001, suspension leads with 16 of 77. Recall 02V146 matches that area: on 2001-2002 cars the pin at the end of the front lower control arm could break where it mounts to the frame, and dealers replaced both arms. That campaign covered 90,500 vehicles.

The 2002 has 72 complaints, 11 crashes and 15 injuries, and its complaints report 11 deaths. That is every death in the I30's file. Its leading topics are air bags (11), engine (10) and engine and engine cooling (10). Five campaigns touch the 2002: the control arm recall above, two air bag campaigns below, and two more. 02V043 added a new accelerator pedal stopper on cars with electronic throttle control (39,000 vehicles). 03V455, the sensor recall, covered 2002-2003 cars in a 630,000-vehicle campaign that NHTSA doesn't break out by model.

The 2004 has 36 complaints, and 13 of them name the air bags. On these years, four separate campaigns cover the passenger-side inflator: 15V287 (2001-2003), 15V226 (2003-2004, I35s in certain areas), 16V349 (2003-2004) and 20V008 (2001-2004). Each also covers other Nissan and Infiniti models; 15V287 alone counts 1,090,569 vehicles.

Complaints and recalls by model year

Every number here comes from NHTSA's complaint file, counted October 10, 2026. Some I30 recalls span two to four model years each, so summing that I30 column lands above 9.

Fix it or sell it?

The youngest I35 left the line more than two decades ago, so a big repair rarely makes sense. Check these first:

1. Open recalls. The air bag inflator, sensor and control arm remedies are listed as dealer repairs. Run the VIN at NHTSA.
2. Engine trouble on a 2002-2003. Ask whether the 03V455 crank and cam position sensors were replaced; NHTSA's VIN search shows it.
3. Front suspension trouble on a 2001-2002. Recall 02V146 replaced the front lower control arms on these years; broken suspension explains the choice if it isn't covered.

If fixing it would cost about what a running one fetches, old or high mileage walks through selling it instead.

Selling an I30 or I35 whole

1. Check the trunk badge for I30 or I35, then note the VIN, mileage and symptoms.
2. Get an I30 offer through our site, or ring (877) 421-6008.
3. Say whether the sedan can roll and what it's sitting on: gravel, pavement or grass. Pickup is free anywhere in the US.
4. Don't strip it. The alternator, wheels and catalytic converter stay on; flag anything a previous owner took.
5. The driver will need your I30 title and a photo ID. Lost title? Read selling with no title.

Other Infiniti models: see the Q45, the G35 and the M45.