Problems · NHTSA complaints

2012 Infiniti FX35 problems

Owners filed 14 complaints about the 2012 Infiniti FX35 with NHTSA between Nov 2013 and May 2026. The most-cited component is engine (4).

Complaints
14
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine4
  2. Electrical system3
  3. Air bags3
  4. Structure1
  5. Visibility/wiper1
  6. Power train1
  7. Fuel system, gasoline1
  8. Fuel/propulsion system1
  9. Visibility1
  10. Other / unknown4

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

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 6, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20131
20140
20150
20163
20172
20182
20192
20200
20211
20221
20230
20240
20251
20261

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Engine

4 reports
“This engine uses a metal timing chain inside the engine. Infinit chose to use plastic guides and tensors to keep the chain in place and not wear stretch. This choice of PLASTIC results in the eventual failure of the components that are needed to keep the chain in place. First signs of impending failure is a rattle inside the engine. Eventual the chain will break loose and destroy the engine. The parts themselves can be purchased at any auto parts store for under $50.00, however labor is in the thousands or engine complete failure. A simple search of the internet will show that nearly all owners experience this. Most opting to sell the vehicle or chance failure does not occur. My mechanic has confirmed and I will go to an Infiniti dealer if need be.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 19, 2026EngineODI 11738759

Electrical system

3 reports
“The contact owns a 2012 Infiniti FX35. The contact stated while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle failed to shift gears properly. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the PCM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired however, the repair was pending. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 14, 2021Electrical systemODI 11424834

Air bags

3 reports
“TAKATA RECALL NEEDED ON INFINITI FX35 2012. I WAS IN MOTION, DRIVING 75 MPH ON THE FREEWAY. A PIECE OF DEBRIS BOUNCED OFF OF A CAR IN MY LEFT LANE AND FLEW UNDERNEATH MY CAR. BANG! MY AIRBAGS EJECTED AND SLAMMED MY FACE HARD. MY WHOLE FRONT WINDSHIELD BLEW WHITE. I COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING IN FRONT OF ME. TRYING TO PUSH THE AIRBAG DOWN WITH ONE HAND, WHILE STEERING WITH THE OTHER HAND AT THE SAME TIME, I WAS ESSENTIALLY DRIVING BLIND ON THE FREEWAY WITH SPEEDING CARS ALL AROUND ME. ON TOP OF THAT I COULDN'T MOVE, BECAUSE THE SEATBELTS LOCKED ME. IT'S A WONDER I DIDN'T SLAM ON THE BREAKS, OR SWERVE INTO THE OTHER LANES, A PERFECTLY NATURAL REACTION. I USED MY PERIPHERAL VISION TO MOVE INTO THE SLOWER LANES TO THE RIGHT OF ME. THE LAST LANE ENDED UP BEING THE EXIT LANE. WHEN THE FOUR OF US GOT OUT TO EXAMINE WHAT WE THOUGHT WOULD BE A HUGE DENT, WE WERE SHOCKED. THE CAR LOOKED PERFECT. NO COLLISION. NO DAMAGE. IT WAS THE AIRBAGS. HAD WE BEEN INJURED OR WORSE YET, KILLED IN A CRASH THAT DAY (NOT TO MENTION ALL THE PEOPLE IN THE SURROUNDING CARS) WE WOULD NEVER HAVE ASCERTAINED THAT IT WAS AS A RESULT OF THE FAULTY AIRBAG SENSOR. IT HAPPENED SO QUICKLY THAT I WOULD…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 15, 2018Air bagsODI 11120141

Structure

1 report
“INFINITI FX35 2012 DASHBOARD IS FALLING APART IN PIECES. VEHICLE HAS 69,000 MILES ON IT. THE DASHBOARD SEEMS TO BE MELTING AS IT HAS BECOME STICKY AND THE REFLECTION IS BLINDING ME IN THE WINDSHIELD WHEN I DRIVE. THE ISSUE HAS PROGRESSED TO CRACKS EVERYWHERE AND INFINITI IS REFUSING TO SERVICE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE! I AM BLINDED EVERY TIME I DRIVE. PICTURES OF CRACKS PROVIDED. THE REFLECTION PICTURE IS HARD TO TAKE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 30, 2019Structure, Visibility/wiperODI 11216988

Visibility/wiper

1 report

Power train

1 report
“I REPORTED MY VEHICLE IS A WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. I TOOK IT IN FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED ME THAT NO CODES WERE DETECTED; HOWEVER BELIEVES IT IS THE ALTERNATOR. THE CAR HAS 39K MILES. AS A PREVIOUS OWNER OF A 2011 INFINITI, I BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT AS I AM THE SECOND OWNER AND DRIVEN IT FOR LESS THAN 6K. I INITIATED A CLAIM WITH NALLEY CONSUMER AFFAIRS TO NO AVAIL; THE REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT THERE IS NO LISTING OF WHAT IS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. CLAIM # 28141832. I HAVE REQUESTED THAT THE REGIONAL MANAGER CONTACT ME.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 23, 2017Power train, Electrical systemODI 11019091
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 6, 2026

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