Pre-purchase inspection checklist — 2003 Infiniti I35
The 2003 Infiniti I35 is a solid used car but has notable issues, especially with the engine sensor, air bag recalls, and electrical concerns. Always verify recall compliance and ensure components are functioning well.
Known issues to inspect
Defective position sensor
How to check: Check engine light and rough idle.
Frontal airbag inflator problem
How to check: Confirm recall completion with VIN lookup.
Unstable electronic stability control
How to check: Test ESC light and stability in drive.
Test-drive walkthrough
- 01
Cold start
What to check: Listen for rough idling or warning lights.
Red flag: Persistent check engine light
- 02
First minute idling
What to check: Check for unusual engine noises.
Red flag: Knocking or ticking sounds
- 03
Low-speed maneuver
What to check: Ensure smooth steering and ESC light off.
Red flag: ESC light stays on
- 04
Highway acceleration
What to check: Check for smooth acceleration and shifting.
Red flag: Hesitation or jerking
- 05
Hard stop
What to check: Test brakes for smooth stop, no noise.
Red flag: Grinding or squealing brakes
- 06
Parking
What to check: Look for dashboard warning lights.
Red flag: Warning lights remain on
Questions for the seller
Use this exact phrasing.
- Have all recalls been addressed?
- Any recent engine work done?
- History of airbag replacements?
- Any known electrical issues?
- Do you have service records?
Documents to request
Don't sign anything until you have these.
- Recall repair records
- Service history
- Title and registration
- Accident history report
Generated by gpt-4o on 8/20/2026. Grounded in the NHTSA recall corpus and owner-complaint patterns for the 2003 Infiniti I35.