Pre-purchase inspection checklist — 2004 Infiniti I35
The 2004 Infiniti I35 has some notable airbag recall issues, especially related to geographic high humidity areas. Known complaints include airbag, electrical, and engine-related matters, requiring careful inspection before purchase.
Known issues to inspect
Passenger airbag inflator recall
How to check: Verify recall completion with the VIN.
Frequent electrical glitches
How to check: Check all lights, radio, and locks operate normally.
Engine cooling system complaints
How to check: Look for coolant leaks and overheating signs.
Test-drive walkthrough
- 01
Cold start
What to check: Listen for unusual engine noises or rough idling.
Red flag: Loud knocks or shuddering.
- 02
First minute idling
What to check: Check dashboard for warning lights.
Red flag: Any warning light staying on.
- 03
City driving
What to check: Test acceleration and smoothness of ride.
Red flag: Jerky acceleration or unusual vibrations.
- 04
Highway acceleration
What to check: Ensure smooth power delivery and stability.
Red flag: Lack of power or instability.
- 05
Braking
What to check: Listen for noises and feel for vibration when braking.
Red flag: Grinding noises or pulsating pedal.
Questions for the seller
Use this exact phrasing.
- Has the airbag recall work been completed?
- Are there any electrical issues?
- Has the engine ever overheated?
- What maintenance records do you have?
- Have there been any accidents?
- Are there any outstanding recalls?
Documents to request
Don't sign anything until you have these.
- Title and registration
- Maintenance records
- Recall completion document
- Accident and repair history
- VIN history report
Generated by gpt-4o on 8/20/2026. Grounded in the NHTSA recall corpus and owner-complaint patterns for the 2004 Infiniti I35.