Head-to-head reliability
Infiniti I35 vs Toyota Camry
How the Infiniti I35 and Toyota Camry compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Infiniti I35 vs Toyota Camry: The I35 averages 68.7 complaints per year with 13 recalls, while the Camry averages 214.3 complaints per year with 31 recalls. The I35 has 11 deaths reported, compared to 1 for the Camry, but the Camry's higher complaint volume suggests more frequent issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Infiniti I35 or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Infiniti I35
The Infiniti I35 is a luxury sedan with a relatively low number of complaints per year (about 69), but a high proportion of those complaints involve serious safety issues like stalling and airbag failures. Owners report engine shutdowns while driving, often traced to sensors like the throttle position or crank position sensor, which can cause loss of power steering and braking. Airbag problems are also common, including non-deployment in crashes and warning lights that can cost $800–$1000 to fix. With 13 recalls, many for airbag inflators, living with this car means staying on top of open recalls and being alert to sudden stalls.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry has a much higher total complaint count (over 2,100) but spread over 10 years, averaging about 214 per year—still higher than the Infiniti. The most frequent issues involve the power train, engine, and brakes, with reports of transmission grinding, sudden acceleration, and brake failure. While the Camry has a lower death rate per complaint, the sheer volume of complaints suggests a wide range of problems that can affect ownership. Recalls cover airbag sensors, seats, wheels, and labels, so buyers should check for outstanding recalls.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Infiniti I35 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 206 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 13 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 13 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 68.7 Better | 214.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 15 Better | 163 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 11 | 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 I35
- 01ENGINE60
- 02ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING48
- 03AIR BAGS32
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM23
- 05VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL21
Owners report the engine shutting off without warning while driving at speeds like 50 mph, often due to failed throttle position, crank position, or timing control sensors. This can cause a total loss of power and power steering, making it a serious safety concern.
Similar stalling complaints appear here, with vehicles suddenly cutting out and requiring several attempts to restart. The service engine light may not illuminate, so a buyer should have the sensors checked.
There are reports of airbags not deploying in crashes, leading to severe injuries, and of the airbag warning light staying on due to a faulty sensor. Repair costs can be high, and multiple recalls for inflator modules mean you must verify all recalls are done.
Electrical issues often manifest as stalling or sudden shutdowns, with owners describing the vehicle stopping on the highway and losing steering control. This overlaps with engine sensor failures and can leave you stranded.
“I OWN A 2002 INFINITI I35. WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES PER HOUR, MAKING A LEFT TURN, I WAS HIT ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE (T-BONED). NON OF MY AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND I WAS SEVERELY INJURED. I SUSTAINED INJURIES TO MY NECK, BOTH SHOULDERS AND M…”
“I HAD RECENTLY HAD SOME WORK DONE ON MY CAR TO REPLACE THE RIGHT BEARING WHEEL AND THE POWER STEERING LINE, AS THERE WAS A LEAK AND LOUD ROARING NOISE WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AS CONFIRMED BY THE MECHANIC. ABOUT A WEEK LATER, I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY (…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Owners report grinding noises from the front end during acceleration, which dealers have diagnosed as transmission failure requiring replacement. Some mention recalls for the same issue on certain model years, but parts may be on backorder.
Complaints include uncontrollable sudden acceleration, sometimes leading to crashes, and engine maintenance codes related to coolant valve bypass recalls. These issues can be unpredictable and dangerous.
There are reports of brake pedal going to the floor with no response, such as when driving down a steep hill. This is a critical safety failure that could lead to a crash.
Many complaints involve HVAC problems, like a strong vinegar or mildew smell from the vents, and AC condenser damage from road debris. These are less dangerous but affect comfort and repair costs.
“I turned into a restaurant’s parking lot, found a spot and slowly drove into the lot, I eased off the gas pedal and gently applying the brake as the lot has a slight downward slope. When I reach the chunk (the parking block), I added more force to the brake,…”
“Grinding noise coming from front end upon acceleration. Brought to dealership who confirmed noises coming from transmission. Transmission needs to be replaced per dealer recommendation. Recalls on 2021 Toyota Camry for same issue. Transmissions on backorder a…”
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 I35 — 13 recalls
The defect: 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, 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 and 2006-2010 M35 and M45 vehicles. The vehicles ar…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: 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. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 888-737-9511 o…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45, 2003-2004 Infiniti I35, 2006-2010 Infiniti M35 and M45, and 2007-2011 Nissan Versa vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Missis…
The risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began December 21, 2017. All owners should receive a second notice by May 15, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer s…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Infiniti I35, 2003-2005 FX35 and FX45, and 2006 M35 and M45 vehicles originally sold, or currently registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registere…
The risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-70…
The defect: 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, 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 and 2006-2010 M35 and M45 vehicles. The vehicles ar…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: 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. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 888-737-9511 o…
Toyota Camry — 31 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short cir…
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The lug nuts that attach the wheels to the vehicle may be loose, which can result in wheel detachment.
The risk: A wheel that detaches from a moving vehicle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect and tighten the lug nuts, and replace any damaged components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
Buyer analysis
Infiniti I35 or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Infiniti I35 has fewer complaints per year (about 69) compared to the Toyota Camry (about 214), but the Infiniti's complaints are more often tied to severe safety issues like stalling and airbag non-deployment. The Camry's higher volume means a wider variety of problems, but many are less immediately life-threatening. In practice, the Infiniti may require more vigilance for sudden failures, while the Camry may have more frequent but sometimes less critical repairs.
Key differences
- Infiniti I35 complaints often involve sudden engine stalling due to sensor failures, while Camry complaints more often involve transmission grinding and brake failure.
- The Infiniti has a higher proportion of airbag-related complaints, including non-deployment in crashes, whereas the Camry's airbag recalls are for occupant classification sensors.
- Camry owners report sudden acceleration incidents, a pattern not highlighted in the Infiniti complaints.
- The Infiniti has 13 recalls over 3 years, many for airbag inflators, while the Camry has 31 recalls over 10 years covering seats, wheels, and labels.
- Check for any open recalls, especially airbag inflator modules, and confirm they have been repaired.
- Test drive at various speeds and watch for any hesitation, stalling, or warning lights; have a mechanic scan for pending codes like P0340 related to camshaft position sensor.
- Listen for grinding noises during acceleration that could indicate transmission problems, and check for recalls on the transmission.
- Test the brakes on a downhill slope to ensure they respond properly, and check for any sudden acceleration issues during the test drive.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN.
- Have a certified mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on engine sensors, transmission, and brakes.
- During the test drive, pay attention to any stalling, hesitation, unusual noises, or warning lights.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for sensor replacements or transmission service.
- Verify that all safety recalls have been completed and ask for documentation.
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 I35 or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Infiniti I35 vs Toyota Camry
- Infiniti I35 total complaints
- 206
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- Infiniti I35 total recalls
- 13
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Infiniti I35 avg complaints/year
- 68.7
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Infiniti I35
- Infiniti I35 top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN