Head-to-head reliability
Infiniti G35 vs FORD F 150
How the Infiniti G35 and FORD F 150 compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Infiniti G35 vs FORD F 150: The G35 has 260.6 complaints per year, while the F-150 has 1131.1. The G35's top issues are electrical and airbag sensor failures, while the F-150's are transmission problems. Both have recalls, but the F-150 has more. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Infiniti G35 or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Infiniti G35
The Infiniti G35 is a sporty sedan that, in used form, shows a pattern of electrical gremlins and airbag sensor failures. Owners report intermittent stalling, hesitation to start, and dashboard warning lights, which can be unnerving and potentially dangerous. The airbag sensor issues mean the passenger airbag may not deploy when needed, a critical safety concern. While the engine itself has some reports of runaway acceleration and stalling, the electrical system seems to be the root of many problems.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup that, in used form, is plagued by transmission issues, particularly with the 10-speed automatic. Owners describe hard shifts, jerking, clunking, and even sudden loss of power, which can be alarming and unsafe. Electrical problems also surface, with camera and pre-collision assist malfunctions. With a much higher complaint volume, the F-150's issues are more widespread and potentially more costly to repair.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Infiniti G35 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,824 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 17 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 91 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 260.6 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 62 Better | 287 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 5 | 1 Better |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Infiniti G35
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM392
- 02AIR BAGS264
- 03ENGINE239
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING202
- 05ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING194
Owners report intermittent stalling while driving, hesitation to start, and multiple warning lights illuminating (check engine, slip, battery) before the engine shuts down. This can be a major safety issue, especially at speed.
The front passenger seat airbag sensor frequently fails, causing the airbag to be deactivated even when a passenger is present. Owners report the airbag light illuminating, indicating the airbag may not deploy in a crash.
Some owners report sudden, unintended acceleration with RPMs reaching redline without pressing the accelerator, and others report stalling while driving. These issues can lead to loss of control and are terrifying for owners.
“PURCHASED CAR, USED, 6/2011. WAS TOLD IT WAS A OWNER BUY BACK DUE TO IT NOT STARTING. FINANCE MANAGER GUARANTEED PROBLEM HAD BEEN FIXED. IN SEPTEMBER 2011 CAR STARTED HESITATING TO START-REQUIRING ME TO LET MY FOOT OFF BRAKE/CLUTCH. INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD ILL…”
“MY CAR HAS BEEN STALLING WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED. SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS COME UP (CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, SLIP LIGHT, BATTERY LIGHT) AND THEN THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN COMPLETELY. UPON PLACING THE CAR IN PARK, I AM ABLE TO RE-START IT. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
The 10-speed automatic transmission is a major source of complaints, with owners reporting hard and delayed shifts, jerking, clunking, and even sudden loss of power while driving. This can be dangerous in traffic and may require costly repairs.
Owners report various electrical issues, including warning messages for front camera malfunction and pre-collision assist not available, which appear every time the truck is started. These failures can disable safety features.
Headlight issues are common, with owners reporting problems that may affect visibility at night, increasing the risk of accidents.
“I started noticing hard and delayed shifts from 7th into 8th gear. My RPM's were not increasing when this happened, and then on a very crowded major road I lost all power, vehicle shut off and drifted, then started up and jerked again very hard. This failure…”
“I am reporting a safety-related transmission problem I experienced with my 2020 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 automatic transmission. While driving normally, the transmission shifts hard (ie: jerks, clunks) between 4-5 and 5-6 gears, and has on occasion…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Infiniti G35 — 17 recalls
The defect: NISSAN IS RECALLING 204,361 MY 2007-2008 ALTIMA, ALTIMA HYBRID, 350Z, 350Z ROADSTER, MY 2008 ALTIMA COUPE, ROGUE, MY 2009 MURANO, AND INFINITI MY 2007-2008 G35 SEDAN, MY 2008 G37 COUPE AND EX35 PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS' OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) CON…
The risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG BEING SUPPRESSED WHICH COULD FAIL TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL TEST THE SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND ACU SYSTEMS USING A SPECIAL TOOL TO CHECK THAT IT IS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. IF NECESSARY, THE SEAT CUSHION (CONTAINING OCS HARDWARE) WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFI…
The defect: NISSAN IS RECALLING 204,361 MY 2007-2008 ALTIMA, ALTIMA HYBRID, 350Z, 350Z ROADSTER, MY 2008 ALTIMA COUPE, ROGUE, MY 2009 MURANO, AND INFINITI MY 2007-2008 G35 SEDAN, MY 2008 G37 COUPE AND EX35 PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS' OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) CON…
The risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG BEING SUPPRESSED WHICH COULD FAIL TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL TEST THE SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND ACU SYSTEMS USING A SPECIAL TOOL TO CHECK THAT IT IS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. IF NECESSARY, THE SEAT CUSHION (CONTAINING OCS HARDWARE) WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFI…
The defect: NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2007 INFINITI G35 SEDANS MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 29, 2004 THROUGH AUGUST 25, 2006 AND INFINITI G35 COUPES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 1, 2004 THROUGH MAY 30, 2007. THE WIRE HARNESS CONNECTING THE BELT TENSION SENSOR (BTS) AND THE OCCUPANT DETECTION SE…
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
The fix: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-662-6200.
The defect: CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE "VERTICAL GRADIENT" AND "HEADLAMP PHOTOMETRIC VALUES" REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, 'LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.'
The risk: THIS STANDARD IS TO REDUCE CRASHES, INJURIES AND DEATHS BY PROVIDING ADEQUATE ILLUMINATION OF THE ROADWAY, AND BY ENHANCING THE CONSPICUITY OF MOTOR VEHICLES ON THE PUBLIC ROADS SO THAT THEIR PRESENCE IS PERCEIVED AND THEIR SIGNALS UNDERST…
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT APRIL 16, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
FORD F 150 — 145 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 trucks equipped with high series LED headlamps with Autolamp (On/Off) functionality. The Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) may remain activated instead of dimming to parking lamps when the Master Lighting Switch (MLS) is manually rotated from…
The risk: DRL that cannot dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module, free of charge. The recall began March 10, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C03.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 F-150 vehicles. The fastener securing the Power Distribution Box (PDB) 12V cable and Battery Monitoring System (BMS) eyelets to the positive battery terminal may loosen and affect the vehicle's systems such as instrument panel displays and br…
The risk: Inoperative vehicle systems or an engine stall can increase the risk of a crash. Reduced braking and steering efforts increases the risk of a crash. This condition could also create a resistive short, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the positive battery cable/BMS/PDB joint for excess sealant adhesive and remove any excessive adhesive, reassemble the joint, and retorque the fastener, as necessary, free of charge. The re…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causin…
The risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also…
The risk: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's num…
Buyer analysis
Infiniti G35 or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Infiniti G35 has significantly fewer complaints per year (260.6) compared to the Ford F-150 (1131.1). While both have serious issues, the G35's problems are less frequent, but the airbag and stalling issues are critical. The F-150's transmission problems are widespread and could lead to expensive repairs.
Key differences
- The G35 has far fewer complaints per year (260.6) than the F-150 (1131.1).
- The G35's main issues are electrical and airbag sensor failures, while the F-150's are transmission-related.
- The F-150 has more recalls (145) than the G35 (17), indicating a higher rate of manufacturer-identified defects.
- The G35 has more reported deaths (5) than the F-150 (1), but the F-150 has more crash-related complaints (328 vs 91).
- Check for intermittent stalling or hesitation to start, which could indicate electrical system issues.
- Verify that the passenger airbag sensor works by having a passenger sit in the seat and checking the airbag light.
- Test drive the truck and pay attention to transmission shifts, especially between 4th-5th and 5th-6th gears, for any hard shifts or jerking.
- Check for any warning messages on the dash, such as front camera malfunction or pre-collision assist not available, which may indicate electrical issues.
Before you buy
- Have a mechanic inspect the electrical system of the G35, including the battery, alternator, and wiring, to check for corrosion or loose connections.
- For the G35, test the airbag sensor by having a passenger sit in the front seat and observing the airbag light.
- For the F-150, take it for an extended test drive that includes stop-and-go traffic and highway speeds to assess transmission behavior.
- Check the F-150's transmission fluid level and condition, and ask for service records related to transmission repairs.
- Review the recall history for both vehicles and ensure all recalls have been addressed.
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Infiniti G35 or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Infiniti G35 vs FORD F 150
- Infiniti G35 total complaints
- 1,824
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Infiniti G35 total recalls
- 17
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Infiniti G35 avg complaints/year
- 260.6
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Infiniti G35
- Infiniti G35 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN