NHTSA vehicle safety data

2003 Infiniti I35 Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2003 Infiniti I35 has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 93 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Infiniti dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2003 Infiniti I35, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2003 Infiniti I35 owner complaints

Owners have filed 93 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Infiniti I35, describing incidents dated September 14, 2004 to April 7, 2021.

Most-cited components

Engine 69 complaints
Electrical System 13 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control 10 complaints
Air Bags 8 complaints
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) 8 complaints
Power Train 5 complaints

Of the 93 complaints on file, 2 report a crash (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11420889 · Filed June 14, 2021
Camshaft sensor according to the Infiniti dealership (Ray Brandt on Causeway in Metairie La.) Is malfunctioning at makes the car engine die while driving. Then when you restart the car the engine revs fine in neutral but once in drive it won't go over 5 mph. Also the timing chain tensioner fails on…
ODI #11407567 · Filed April 12, 2021
2003 INFINITY I35 STALLS/DIES WITHOUT WARNING, SPITS/JERKS FORWARD, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, TCS AND SLIP. HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING BUT USUALLY STARTS RIGHT BACK UP AFTERWARDS. HAS HAPPENED A NUMBER OF TIMES HAVE REPLACED ONE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND STILL HAVE THE SAME ISSUE.
ODI #11399113 · Filed March 4, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWN A 2003 INFINITI I35. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHCILE DECELERATED, LOSS MOTIVE POWER, AND STALLED WITH AN UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND CONTINUED DRIVING HOWEVER, THE FAILURE…

Read all 93 complaints

Owner-reported

2003 Infiniti I35 mileage at failure

81 of the 93 complaints on file for the 2003 Infiniti I35 give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Engine	Median 100,000 miles	Middle half 80,000–155,000 miles	Based on 63 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2003 Infiniti I35 in 3 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Engineering Analysis EA21-002: Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Open since September 17, 2021
Engineering Analysis EA15-001: Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Open since February 24, 2015
- Recall 14V-668
- Recall 15V-284
- Recall 15V-285
- Recall 15V-286
- Recall 15V-287
- Recall 15V-312
- and 188 more on the investigation page
Preliminary Evaluation PE14-016: Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Closed March 2, 2015
- Recall 13V-172
- Recall 14V-428
- Recall 14V-700
- Recall 14V-763
- Recall 14V-770
- Recall 14V-787
- and 3 more on the investigation page

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Frontal Passenger Air Bag Inflators May Explode

NHTSA #20V008000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported January 9, 2020 · Nissan North America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 307,962 vehicles

Repair completion: 47.81% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified February 12, 2020 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

Defect description

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 are equipped with non-desiccated, frontal passenger air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Safety consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer remedy

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 or Infiniti customer service at 888-810-3715.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture

NHTSA #16V349000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported May 24, 2016 · Nissan North America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 413,852 vehicles

Repair completion: 42.08% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified December 19, 2016 · Vehicles built May 8, 2003 – August 2, 2004 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

Defect description

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, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Nissan is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45, 2003-2004 Infiniti I35, 2006-2008 Infiniti M35 and M45, and 2007-2008 Nissan Versa vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Nissan is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Infiniti I35 vehicles originally sold, or registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Safety consequence

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer remedy

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 service at 1-800-647-7261.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Passenger Air Bag Inflator may Rupture

NHTSA #15V287000 · Air Bags · NHTSA notice

Reported May 15, 2015 · Nissan North America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 1,090,569 vehicles

Repair completion: 39.65% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified June 15, 2015 · Vehicles built July 10, 2001 – June 3, 2003 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

Defect description

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2001-2003 Nissan Maxima, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4 and I35, 2003 FX35 and FX45, and 2001 I30 vehicles. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Safety consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer remedy

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on June 15, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. Note: On December 18, 2015 Nissan informed NHTSA of an amendment of this recall to remove 2004-2005 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 vehicles.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Passenger Air Bag Inflator may Rupture

NHTSA #15V226000 · Air Bags · NHTSA notice

Reported April 17, 2015 · Nissan North America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 12,606 vehicles

Repair completion: 92.64% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified June 16, 2015 · Vehicles built February 18, 2003 – August 2, 2004 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

Defect description

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 registered, in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Saipan, Guam, and American Samoa, as well as Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and Georgia, are included. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

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-701.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

NISSAN/CRANK/CAM POSITION SENSOR WELD

NHTSA #03V455000 · Engine and Engine Cooling · NHTSA notice

Reported November 17, 2003 · NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 630,000 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign R3021/R3022 · Owners notified December 22, 2003 · Vehicles built July 1, 2001 – June 30, 2002 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR OR CAM POSITION SENSOR MAY HAVE AN IMPROPER SOLDER JOINT DUE TO SOLDER DEFORMATION CAUSED BY HEAT STRESS ACCELERATED BY THE EXISTENCE OF FLUX RESIDUE DURING THE SOLDERING PROCESS.

Safety consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON, CREATE A NO START CONDITION, CAUSE REDUCED ENGINE POWER, OR CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRANK POSITION SENSORS. CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR(S), AND IN SOME CASES, THE VARIABLE TIMING CONTROL SENSOR(S). VEHICLES INVOLVED IN A PREVIOUS RECALL CAMPAIGN, 01V357, ARE ALSO INCLUDED IN THIS NEW CAMPAIGN. THE REPLACEMENT SENSORS USED IN THAT CAMPAIGN ARE ALSO AFFECTED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.

Notes

NISSAN RECALL NO. R3022/INFINITI RECALL NO. R3021.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

2003 Infiniti I35 4-DR. w/SAB

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 4

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 4

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

3 investigations

93 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Infiniti I35.

Electrical System; Vehicle Speed Control; Engine

ODI #11420889

Incident: January 9, 2021 · Filed: June 14, 2021

Camshaft sensor according to the Infiniti dealership (Ray Brandt on Causeway in Metairie La.) Is malfunctioning at makes the car engine die while driving. Then when you restart the car the engine revs fine in neutral but once in drive it won't go over 5 mph. Also the timing chain tensioner fails on this car and can cause severe engine damage while the car is being driven. I've looked up both of these problems and have spoken with Nissan and Infiniti and a simple internet search will also confirm that these 2 problems are extremely common on this 5th generation engine. Nissan even lost 2 class action lawsuits on the timing tensioner. Well if Nissan lost 2 court battles over an engine defect that every Nissan internet forum says is a very very common problem then why isn't there a recall. And shouldn't hazing headlights be a safety issue on ALL cars? Almost all cars have this problem and manufacturers keep building cars with UNSAFE headlights. Why aren't these recalls? Thank you for this website. As an American Citizen and consumer with a daughter these safety concerns are very troubling to me and all my friends and business associates.

Engine

ODI #11407567

Incident: April 7, 2021 · Filed: April 12, 2021

2003 INFINITY I35 STALLS/DIES WITHOUT WARNING, SPITS/JERKS FORWARD, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, TCS AND SLIP. HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING BUT USUALLY STARTS RIGHT BACK UP AFTERWARDS. HAS HAPPENED A NUMBER OF TIMES HAVE REPLACED ONE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND STILL HAVE THE SAME ISSUE.

Power Train; Engine

ODI #11399113

Incident: October 2, 2020 · Filed: March 4, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWN A 2003 INFINITI I35. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHCILE DECELERATED, LOSS MOTIVE POWER, AND STALLED WITH AN UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND CONTINUED DRIVING HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED OF A CAMSHAFT CYLINDER MISFIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,440.

Power Train; Engine

ODI #11317694

Incident: March 9, 2020 · Filed: March 12, 2020

REPLACED COMPLETE EXHAUST SYSTEM, ALL O2 SENSORS, BOTH CAM SENSORS, FUEL PUMP WITH STRAINER, FUEL PUMP RELAY, SPARK PLUGS AND COILS, FUEL REGULATOR, HAD KEY PROGRAMMED, KEY ANTENNA REPLACED, VEHICLE FAILS TO START

Engine

ODI #11309964

Incident: February 15, 2015 · Filed: February 18, 2020

MY 2003 INFINITY I35 STALSL WHILE DRIVING ON LOCAL ROADS AND BUSY STATE HIGHWAYS LOCATED IN THE GREATER HILTON HEAD SC AREA. IT REQUIRES COASTING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON. I THEN CAN RESTART THE ENGINE AND RETURN TO MY HOME AS SOON AS I CAN. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND FOUND A RECALL NOTICE THAT DESCRIBED MY PROBLEM. SINCE DISCOVERING THE PROBLEM, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL. I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO THEM TWICE NOW TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AT MY EXPENSE. THE PROBLEM HAS AGAIN RETURNED AND I DON'T WANT TO PAY A 3RD REPAIR BILL TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT OTHERS ARE GETTING FIXED UNDER THE RECALL ( 03V455000). THIS IS GETTING EXPENSIVE, VERY DANGEROUS, AND ELIMINATES THE USE OF MY CAR BY MY WIFE. SHE IS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT AND I UNDERSTAND HER FEAR. WHAT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS NEEDED TO GET THIS PROBLEM TAKEN CARE OF.

Engine

ODI #11306318

Incident: July 20, 2016 · Filed: January 31, 2020

CAR SHUTS DOWN. OVER THREE YEARS AGO IT DIED WHILE DRIVING. I TOOK IT TO THE INFINITY DEALERSHIP. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS CAM SENSOR. HAD IT & CRANK SENSOR REPLACED. PROBLEM PERSISTED. TOOK BACK TO INFINITY & WAS TOLD IT WAS THE CYLYNOID. HAD THATBREPLACE. PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE INFINITI DEALER SAID THE TIMING CHAIN NEED REPLACED BUT MY CAR WAS NOT WORTH SPENDING THAT AMOUNT OF REPAIR. MY CAR IS WELL KEPT WITH IT JUST NOW TIRNING OVER 100,000 MILES. I GOT A SECOND OPINION FROM A CERTIFIED CUSTOM NISSAN/INFINITI SHOP. HE LAUGHED AT THE TIMING CHAIN SUGGESTION. THEY HAVE BUILT & REPAIRED THOUSANDS OF MY VEHICLE & OTHERS WITJ TIMING CHAINS ...CHAINS DO NOT HAVE ISSUES ON CARS WITH VERY LITTLE MILAGE & GRANDMA DRIVING STYLE!. THEY CHANGED THE SENSORS FOR ME AGAIN USING ORIGINAL INFINITI PARTS. MY CAR RAN FINE FOR 2 YEARS. NOW I FACE THE SAME PROBLEM ONCE MORE. UNFORTUNATELY BEYOND RECALL LIMIT THAT I AM CERTAIN THE DEALERSHIP KNEW ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN WITHIN RECALL CORRECTION TIME LIMITS! MY CAR LOOSES ALL POWER & ALL DASH LIGHTS COME ON (ENGINE, TCS, SLIP,BRAKE, ETC). SOETIMES IT WILL INSTANTLY COME BACK ALIVE. MOST TIMES IT IS JUST DEAD. SCENARIOS VARY: 60 MPH ON FREEWAY, SITTING AT RED LIGHT, UPON ACCELERATION, GOING 5 MPH, AFTER 5 MINUTES OF DRIVE TIME, AFTER DAYS OF DRIVE TIME, ... THERE IS NO PATTERN OR PETICULAR ACTION THAT CAUSES IT. IT IS VERY SCARY & DANGEROUS TO ME & ALL AROUND ME. NOW I HAVE A GREAT CAR IN LIKE NEW CONDITION WITH ONLY 100,000 MILES, PAID FOR, THAT I HAVE TO REPLACE WITH NO MONEY OR CONTINUE TO ENDANGER MYSELF & OTHERS. I AM FURIOUS. !!!! IS THERE NOTHING ELSE I CAN DO? IS THERE NOTHING THAT INFINITI CAN DO?

Air Bags

ODI #11299772

Incident: January 16, 2020 · Filed: January 16, 2020

DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG NOT RECALLED YET CONFIRMED FROM DEALER- AIRBAG IS TAKATA AIRBAG AND PRONE TO RELEASING SHRAPNEL

Air Bags

ODI #11244449

Incident: August 1, 2019 · Filed: August 16, 2019

TAKATA RECALL 2003 INFINITI I35 PASSENGER AIR BAGS WERE RECALLED AND REPLACED BY DEALER BUT DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. DEALER WILL NOT REPLACE DRIVER'S SIDE TAKATA AIRBAG UNLESS RECALL IS ANNOUNCED. DRIVERS SIDE TAKATA AIRBAG IS "SAME DESIGN AS PASSENGER UNIT," AND IS "LIKELY JUST AS DANGEROUS" ACCORDING TO INFINITI DEALER. 2003 INFINITI I35 AND NISSAN MAXIMA ARE IDENTICAL SHARED PLATFORMS.

Service Brakes; Engine

ODI #11228623

Incident: June 25, 2019 · Filed: July 1, 2019

CAR STOPS WITHOUT WARNING ON CITY STREET

Power Train; Engine

ODI #11205572

Incident: February 13, 2018 · Filed: May 3, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 INFINITI I35. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35-40 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PLACED THE TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL, RESTARTED THE ENGINE, AND THE DROVE AWAY SAFELY. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CAME TO THE CONTACT'S HOME TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE, BUT THE TEST COULD NOT BE READ. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.

Other Infiniti I35 model years

Check your 2003 Infiniti I35 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Infiniti I35 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check an Infiniti VIN