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
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Engine4
- Electrical system3
- Air bags3
- Structure1
- Visibility/wiper1
- Power train1
- Fuel system, gasoline1
- Fuel/propulsion system1
- Visibility1
- 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
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
0
0
3
2
2
2
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 0 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 0 |
| 2024 | 0 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
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.
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.”
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.”
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…”
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.”
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.”
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.