NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 95 owner complaints for the 2003 Infiniti I35. Most complaints involve engine (44) and engine and engine cooling (27). The EPA rates it 20 mpg combined.
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.
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.
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.
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Engine
44 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSA·Filed Jun 14, 2021·Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11420889
Engine and engine cooling
27 reports
“RECALL - NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V455000. ENGINE STOPPED WHILE DRIVING IN NORMAL CONDITIONS WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT. LOSS COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND THE "SLIP" LIGHT, "TCS OFF" AND "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" ALL CAME ON WITH COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING WITH NO ABILITY TO REGAIN CONTROL. I TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THERE IS A CODE "P0340" - CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAILURE. INFINITI CORPORATE HAD ISSUED A RECALL # R3021 FOR THIS MAJOR ISSUE. WHEN I CALLED INFINITI CORPORATE TO TAKE PART OF THIS SERIOUS RECALL AND SERVICE MY VEHICLE, THEY DID NOT WANT TO HELP CLAIMING THAT THEY DID NOT MARK MY VIN # FOR THE RECALL. THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH MOST INFINITI I35'S AND MANY NISSANS AS WELL. INFINITI SEEMS TO NOT CARE AND HAS PUT MY LIFE IN COMPLETE JEOPARDY. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSA·Filed May 30, 2014·Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (esc), EngineODI 10595187
Electrical system
13 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 INFINITI I35. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE, PLACED IT IN THE PARK POSITION, AND DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. NISSAN SOUTH OF UNION CITY (4080 JONESBORO ROAD, UNION CITY, GEORGIA 30291, (770) 964-4900) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REQUESTED A DIAGNOSTIC BE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. A CERTIFIED NISSAN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR, STARTER, AND BATTERY; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 138,500.”
Owner complaint to NHTSA·Filed Oct 1, 2018·Electrical system, EngineODI 11132773
5 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 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 I35 problems?
Owners filed 95 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (44), engine and engine cooling (27), electrical system (13). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2003 Infiniti I35 get?
The EPA rates the 2003 Infiniti I35 at 20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).