Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2003 Infiniti FX35Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 10 safety recalls and 60 owner complaints for the 2003 Infiniti FX35. Most complaints involve air bags (13) and latches/locks/linkages (12). The EPA rates it 17 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
17mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
10campaigns
Latest Mar 2021
Owner complaints
60
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$3,650est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

10 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: frontal

Free remedy

Nissan North America, Inc. (INFINITI) is recalling certain 2003 INFINITI FX35, 2006-2008 FX35 and FX45 vehicles that previously received a replacement front passenger air bag assembly under recall number 20V-008. The air bag cushion was folded incorrectly, which could increase internal pressure and tear the air bag cushion during deployment.

Air bagsReported Mar 4, 2021NHTSA 21V139000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Jan 9, 2020NHTSA 20V008000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported May 24, 2016NHTSA 16V349000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 7, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

60 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2003 – Feb 2026
  1. Air bags13
  2. Latches/locks/linkages12
  3. Electrical system8
  4. Structure8
  5. Seats5
  6. Power train4
  7. Engine4
  8. Engine and engine cooling4
  9. Exterior lighting3

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each FX35 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
200360
20080
201113
201214
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
2
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 7, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

13 reports1 crash
“My airbag light came on again recently, without any incident and I am concerned that this means my car is now unsafe. This happened in 2017 and it was a repair that was made without charge. I have now been informed that it would cost over $1,000 to repair, but I think this is a malfunction that should be covered by the Dealer, as there has been an issue with the airbags before.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 20, 2026Air bagsODI 11719497

Latches/locks/linkages

12 reports
“I BOUGHT MY VEHICLE USED (2003 FX 35) IN 2010 AND HAVE EXPERIENCED WHAT SEEMS TO BE SOME VERY COMMON COMPLAINTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VEHICLE . DEFECTS THAT THE LOCAL DEALERS (MCALLEN , TEXAS) HAVE REFUSED TO ADDRESS. 1) CRACKED DASH. SEVERAL LARGE CRACKS RUNNING THE LENGTH OF THE DASHES. 2) FAULTY CAR LOCK ACTUATORS. THIS SEEMS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS THAT THE PROBLEMS CAN BE SO PREVALENT (CHECK THE WEB) , BUT YET NISSAN FAILS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT. I CAN UNDERSTAND THE DASH NOT BEING A HAZARD , HOWEVER, THE LOCKS CAN BE. I CANT EVEN OPEN MY HATCH, AND THIS IS SUPPOSE TO BE A LUXURY VEHICLE? *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 21, 2014Structure, Latches/locks/linkagesODI 10637788

Electrical system

8 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 INFINITI FX35. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE ENGINE, VDC, AND SLIP WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT WAITED TEN MINUTES BEFORE RESTARTING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED LESS THAN A MILE DOWN THE ROAD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SIX TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE LEFT AND RIGHT CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSORS WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED SHEEHY INFINITI OF CHANTILLY (LOCATED AT 4145 AUTO PARK CIR, CHANTILLY, VA 20151, (703) 372-0381) AND AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED BY PHONE THAT THE FAILURE COULD ALSO BE DUE TO A LOOSE WIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SHEEHY DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAMSHAFT CRANK POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 35590467. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 2, 2019Electrical system, EngineODI 11205345
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 7, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S5)
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 7, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
FX35 2WD
Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152217$3,650523
FX35 AWD
Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
152017$3,650523
  • FX35 2WD
    Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    15 city · 22 hwy · $3,650/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • FX35 AWD
    Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    15 city · 20 hwy · $3,650/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 7, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Infiniti FX35 as of Nov 7, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 7, 2026
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2003 FX35 questions

How many recalls does the 2003 Infiniti FX35 have?

10 safety recalls as of Nov 7, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2003 Infiniti FX35 problems?

Owners filed 60 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (13), latches/locks/linkages (12), electrical system (8). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2003 Infiniti FX35 get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Infiniti FX35 at 17 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 7, 2026