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.
NHTSA data on file today
The 2003 Infiniti I35 has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 93 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #20V008000 Frontal Passenger Air Bag Inflators May Explode NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #16V349000 Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #15V287000 Passenger Air Bag Inflator may Rupture NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #15V226000 Passenger Air Bag Inflator may Rupture NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #03V455000 NISSAN/CRANK/CAM POSITION SENSOR WELD NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine 44 complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 27 complaints
- Electrical System 13 complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 10 complaints
- Air Bags 8 complaints
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC) 8 complaints
Of the 93 complaints on file, 2 report a crash (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
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 from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2003 Infiniti I35 at the time. AI output can be wrong; confirm anything you find with a mechanic.
Next step
Looking at a specific 2003 Infiniti I35? Check the actual car
This checklist covers the model. From your free try.vin dashboard you can go further — paste the seller's listing for a deal score, or drop their photos for an AI condition report.