Infiniti I35 Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Infiniti I35 options? We analyzed 3 model years (2002–2004) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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Found a Infiniti I35? Check that exact car.
Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Infiniti I35 has 206 owner complaints and 13 safety recalls across model years 2002–2004. The most reported issue area is ENGINE. 2003 drew the most complaints; 2004 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Infiniti
- Model
- I35
- Model years analyzed
- 2002–2004 (3 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 206
- Safety recall campaigns
- 13
- Crash-related complaints
- 13
- Fire-related complaints
- 2
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2003 (95 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2004 (35 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- ENGINE
- Reliability signal
- Poor
By model year
Infiniti I35: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe INFINITI I35 has 206 NHTSA complaints and 13 recalls on record. 13 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 206 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 13 federal recall campaigns
- 13 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Sep 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
13 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS
AIR BAGS
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
AIR BAGS
AIR BAGS
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2002–2004. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 206 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
206 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
The red airbag light on the instrument panel IS on. I have taken the car to the infinity dealer and they say a sensor is out and would be $800 to $1000 to repair. It seems the airbag system should be warranted as long as the car is registered. The mfg book says if this light is on the airbag may inflate, not inflate when needed, just not work. I am concerned, I do not want the bag to inflate as I or my wife is driving. This not a very good safety system if can go out from just one sensor it seems it should have a redundant system for this.This is a safety issue that seems infinity should have to fix especially with the problem with airbags. I do not want my wife or I to be a statistic for a bad airbag system.
The steering wheel is hard to turn and it makes a weird noise when turning it. And I have gotten things sent to me about the airbags being recalled
ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING. LOST ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT SOON CAME ON ALONG WITH SEVERAL OTHER WARNING LIGHTS, ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART READILY AND THEN STALLED AGAIN WITHOUT WARNING. HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED FROM THE ROAD FOR REPAIR. THE CAM SHAFT SENSOR AND CRANKSHAFT SENSORS WERE REPLACED. THIS IS THE EXACT SAME REPAIR CONDUCTED UNDER THE RECALL 03V455000 FOR INFINITI I35S FOR 2002 AND 2003. OBVIOUSLY THIS PROBLEM CONTINUED IN CARS PRODUCED IN EARLY 2004.
TWO MOTOR MOUNTS BROKE LOOSE FROM RUSTED FRAME. VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 100,000 MILES ON IT. VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AT A NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND THE DEFECT WAS FOUND. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN CONNECTICUT IN JUNE OF 2017 AND DRIVEN TO LAS VEGAS NEVADA. VEHICLE HAD 89,00 ORIGINAL MILES WHEN PURCHASED.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 INFINITI I35. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V349000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT HAD BEEN WAITING OVER A YEAR TO HEAR FROM THE MANUFACTURER IN REGARDS TO THE PARTS BEING AVAILABLE FOR THE TAKATA RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 INFINITI I35. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V349000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Read 14 more owner reports
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 INFINITI I35. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V349000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
"TAKATA RECALL" WHEN WILL THE PARTS BE AVAILABLE? I DO NOT WANT TO BE A STATISTIC. MY HUSBAND AND I DO A LOT OF HIGHWAY TRAVELING IN HUMID AREAS.
TAKATA RECALL STILL NOT FULFILLED.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 INFINITI I35. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V349000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN MAY OF 2016. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE PROVIDED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 INFINITI I35. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V349000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 INFINITI I35. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V349000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 INFINITI I35. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V349000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 INFINITI I35. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V349000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 INFINITI I35. WHILE DRIVING 80 MPH, THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE COMPUTER SYSTEM WAS REPLACED AFTER THREE REPAIRS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.
I WAS APPROACHING TO INTERSECTION TRAFFIC LIGHT, SLOW DOWN FORM 35MPH TO STOP SAW THE GREEN SIGNAL, TRY TO MOVE BY APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR CAR DOES NOT MOVE. ON THE DASH I SAW THE LIGHTS ABS AND TCS OFF COMING UP AND GOING EVERY 3 SECONDS. TURN ON THE EMERGENCY LIGHTS HIT THE BREAK PUT THE CAR TO PARKING & PUT TO THE D GEAR IT MOVED SLOWLY AND OTHER TWO LIGHTS CAME ON SEAT BELT LIGHT EVEN THOUGH WAS WEARING IT, AND AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. EVEN IF I APPLY ACCELERATOR NO NOISE OF HUMMING NOTHING, WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MOVE TO THE NEAREST PLACE (GAS STATION AT THE INTERSECTION) & ABLE TO PARK. AFTER PARKING IT I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND OPEN THE HOOD TO SEE WAS EVERYTHING ALRIGHT WITH MY CAR AT THIS TIME I FELT THE STRONG SMELL OF SOME WIRE OR PLASTIC BURNED ( FELT THE SAME SMELL WHILE VEHICLE STARTED TO STALL AT THE INTERSECTION BUT WAS NOT THAT STRONG). EVERYTHING LOOKED ALRIGHT. LET IT COOL DOWN A BIT THEN CHECKED FLUIDS, ALL THE FLUIDS WERE OK. TRIED TO CRANK DID NOT START, ALL THE LIGHT STAYS ON AND AS I TRIED TO CRANK ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH FLASHES BUT DOES NOT TURN ON. TRIED BY PUTTING INTO NEUTRAL AND CRANKING IT TURNED ON ABOUT TO MOVE AND ABS TCS OFF LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING EVERY 3 SECONDS. PARKED BACK AND TURNED OFF. WAITED FOR 10 TO 15 MINUTES AND TRIED TO TURN ON NO TURNING ON. ALL THE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN I PUT THE KEYS AND TURN TO READY. AS TRIED TO CRANK IT ALL THE LIGHTS FLASHES. CALLED MY BROTHER CAME GAVE ME JUMP IT CRANKED BUT TCS ABS STARTED FLASHING. TOOK OUT THE BATTERY WEN TO AUTOZONE 24HRS STORE TO CHECK IT OUT THEY SAID BATTERY IS GOOD 79% CHARGE STILL REMAIN. CAME BACK INSTALLED BATTERY TRIED TO CRANK DID NOT HAPPEN. GOT THE JUMP FROM MY BROTHER IT CRANKED, BUT AFTER FEW SECONDS LIGHTS ABS TCS OFF STARTED FLASHING. PARKED IT AND LEFT OVERNIGHT. TOWED IT TODAY TO SERVICE CENTER WAITING FOR THEM TO DIAGNOSE IT. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 INFINITI I35. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER THE BATTERY WAS RECHARGED, BUT IT FAILED TO ACCELERATE OVER 5 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 208,000.
WHILE DRIVING ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS MY VEHICLE JUST STOPPED. FIRST INCIDENT WHILE DRIVE ON HIGHWAY, MY VEHICLE SHUT OFF, I WAS UNABLE TO STEER OR CONTROL THE VEHICLE. WHILE STOPPED, I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE SECOND OCCASION , I WAS TRAVELING 30 MPH AND THE VEHICLE JUST STOPPED. I RESTARTED IT. ON THE MOST RECENT OCCASION, JANUARY 13, 2015, I WAS AT A RED LIGHT, THE CAR STOPPED RUNNING. WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR I EXPERIENCED AN ELECTRIC SHOCK THROUGH MY CAR KEY. I AM HAVING A MECHANIC CHECK OUT WHAT IS HAPPENING. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND FRIGHTENING. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 INFINITI I35. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AND REGAINED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAM SHAFT SENSORS WERE FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CAM SHAFT SENSORS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY RESTART AFTER THE FAILURES OCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE TODAY AND THE CAR STARTED TO STALL. SEVERAL LIGHTS CAME ON LIKE SERVICE, ENGINE LIGHT, BREAK LIGHT. THEN TOTAL SHUTDOWN. I TOOK IT TO LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE SUSPECTS THAT THERE'S A PROBLEM WITH IGNITION AND KEY TUMBLER. THIS SOUNDS A LOT LIKE THE GM PROBLEM WITH WEAK KEY TUMBLERS AND CAUSING SUDDEN STALL AND CRASH. PLEASE INVESTIGATE IF INFINITI I35 2004 HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR
Showing 20 of 206 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Infiniti I35
These pages show model-year patterns across 3 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Infiniti I35, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Infiniti I35 has 206 complaints on record across 3 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Infiniti I35 has 13 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 13 of the Infiniti I35's 206 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Infiniti I35 vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Infiniti I35 vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Infiniti I35 has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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By state
Check a Infiniti I35 by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Infiniti I35.
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Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Infiniti I35 reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Infiniti I35 reliable?
Poor. The Infiniti I35 has 206 NHTSA owner complaints and 13 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is ENGINE. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Infiniti I35 years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2003 (95 complaints), 2002 (76 complaints), 2004 (35 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Infiniti I35 problems?
Top reported issues: ENGINE (60 complaints); ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (48 complaints); AIR BAGS (32 complaints).
Does the Infiniti I35 have recalls?
Yes — 13 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Infiniti I35. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.