Infiniti G35 2003–2006 problems by year and mileage
1st generation (V35)
NHTSA data through 18 October 20261,137 complaints, 898 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2003 Infiniti G35
Close- Median failure report
- 87,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 533
- Recalls naming this year
- 5
Most reported on the 2003
- Electrical system220 reports · median 90,000 mi
- Visibility equipment68 reports · median 96,000 mi
- Engine and its cooling system67 reports · median 98,000 mi
Recall areas Fuel system, gasoline · Engine and engine cooling · Exterior lighting — brake lights
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2004 Infiniti G35
Close- Median failure report
- 61,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 244
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
Most reported on the 2004
- Engine43 reports · median 106,000 mi
- Electrical system41 reports · median 96,000 mi
- Exterior lighting41 reports · median 87,000 mi
Recall areas Fuel system, gasoline
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2005 Infiniti G35
Close- Median failure report
- 78,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 215
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
Most reported on the 2005
- Airbag system46 reports · median 88,000 mi
- Engine38 reports · median 103,000 mi
- Exterior lighting30 reports
Recall areas Seats
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2006 Infiniti G35
Close- Median failure report
- 55,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 145
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 2006
- Engine and its cooling system21 reports
- Airbag system20 reports
- Exterior lighting20 reports
Recall areas Seats · Exterior lighting — headlights
Check the VIN at NHTSA
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. Latest: the 2003; earliest: the 2006, and the 2003 is 3 years older (part of the gap is age).
The short answer
“Is the 2003–2006 Infiniti G35 reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 80,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 140,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 898
- Recalls
- 7
Most reported
- Electrical system26.5% of complaints · median 93,000 mi
- Engine13.8% of complaints · median 108,000 mi
- Exterior lighting12.8% of complaints · median 81,000 mi
Documented problems
- Engine Oil Consumption (VQ35DE)2003–2004
- Timing Chain Guides and Tensioner2003–2006
- Crankshaft/Camshaft Position Sensors2003–2006
- Front Brakes2003–2005
Owners filed 1,137 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003–2006 Infiniti G35; the electrical system leads with 26.5% of them, and half of the 898 that record an odometer reading came by 80,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
No single peak: the middle half runs 46,000 to 110,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2003–2006 Infiniti G35 last?
On the 2003–2006 Infiniti G35, half of the 898 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 80,000 miles and 90% by 140,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
79 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 11 past 200,000 — each one proof that a G35 reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Infiniti G35 2003–2006 · 898 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
10,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 88 complaints
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 11 complaints (1.2%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 10,000
- 25%
- 46,000
- Median
- 80,000
- 75%
- 110,000
- 90%
- 140,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 88 | 9.8% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 50 | 5.6% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 28 | 3.1% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 33 | 3.7% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 40 | 4.5% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 58 | 6.5% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 65 | 7.2% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 87 | 9.7% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 84 | 9.4% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 69 | 7.7% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 62 | 6.9% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 61 | 6.8% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 42 | 4.7% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 29 | 3.2% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 23 | 2.6% |
| 150,000–160,000 | 17 | 1.9% |
| 160,000–170,000 | 15 | 1.7% |
| 170,000–180,000 | 16 | 1.8% |
| 180,000–190,000 | 13 | 1.4% |
| 190,000–200,000 | 7 | 0.8% |
| 200,000+ | 11 | 1.2% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common G35 problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Infiniti G35 2003–2006
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Hydraulic brake circuit75 reportsmedian 14,000middle half 7,500–31,000
- Engine and its cooling system130 reportsmedian 80,000middle half 30,000–107,000
- Exterior lighting145 reportsmedian 81,000middle half 60,000–111,000
- Airbag system106 reportsmedian 86,000middle half 55,000–116,000
- Visibility equipment83 reportsmedian 88,000middle half 78,000–110,000
- Electrical system301 reportsmedian 93,000middle half 74,000–115,000
- Engine157 reportsmedian 108,000middle half 76,000–140,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 301 | 26.5% | 93,000 | 74,000–115,000 |
| Engine | 157 | 13.8% | 108,000 | 76,000–140,000 |
| Exterior lighting | 145 | 12.8% | 81,000 | 60,000–111,000 |
| Engine and its cooling system | 130 | 11.4% | 80,000 | 30,000–107,000 |
| Airbag system | 106 | 9.3% | 86,000 | 55,000–116,000 |
| Visibility equipment | 83 | 7.3% | 88,000 | 78,000–110,000 |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 75 | 6.6% | 14,000 | 7,500–31,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 68 | 6.0% | 40,000 | 7,000–77,000 |
| Equipment | 63 | 5.5% | 81,000 | 64,000–100,000 |
| Seats | 52 | 4.6% | 67,000 | 45,000–94,000 |
Known problems with the 2003–2006 G35
Engine Oil Consumption (VQ35DE) 2003–2004
High oil consumption and blow-by from worn piston ring sealing, typically surfacing around 60,000-80,000 miles on the earliest cars.
Timing Chain Guides and Tensioner 2003–2006
Premature wear of the timing chain rail guides and tensioner causes rattle/tapping; disintegrating guide material can fall into the oil pan and block pickup.
Crankshaft/Camshaft Position Sensors 2003–2006
Position sensor failures cause stalling at idle and no-start conditions; failure rates were high enough that Nissan addressed them through a recall/service campaign.
Front Brakes 2003–2005
Rotor warping and rapid pad wear generate heavy vibration complaints, concentrated on the sedan in the early years.
Torque Converter Clutch Solenoid (automatic) 2005–2006
TCC solenoid failure as early as around 30,000 miles causes slippage and hard shifts; the fix pairs solenoid replacement with a PCM reflash per TSB.
Before you buy a 2003–2006 G35: the 3-minute check
Generated from 898 mileage-tagged complaints, 7 recall campaigns, 5 documented problem areas.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 7 campaigns cover this generation.
- Check engine oil consumption (VQ35DE) on 2003–2004 cars. What each looks like: Known problems.
- Check timing chain guides and tensioner on 2003–2006 cars.
- Check Crankshaft/Camshaft position sensors on 2003–2006 cars.
- Years differ here: from 145 to 533 complaints a year — compare them by model year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.
G35 problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer, or read the table.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi33% below | At 90k mi59% below | At 120k mi81% below | At 150k mi91% below | At 200k mi99% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 74,000–115,000 | later | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Engine | 76,000–140,000 | later | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Exterior lighting | 60,000–111,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Engine and its cooling system | 30,000–107,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Airbag system | 55,000–116,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Visibility equipment | 78,000–110,000 | later | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 7,500–31,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Infiniti G35 2003–2006 · 898 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 60,000 mi — 33% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 59% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 81% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 91% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 99% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2003–2006 Infiniti G35 recalls (7)
NHTSA records 7 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
The campaigns cluster around the exterior lighting (3), the fuel system (2), seats (1) (why one area can repeat).
Apr 2010 · 2005–2006 · SeatsIn the event of a crash, the airbag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
The defect. Nissan is recalling certain model year 2005 through 2007 Infiniti G35 sedans manufactured from march 29, 2004 through august 25, 2006 and Infiniti G35 coupes manufactured from april 1, 2004 through may 30, 2007. The wire harness connecting the belt tension…
What can happen. In the event of a crash, the airbag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on july 12, 2010. Owners may contact Nissan toll-free at 1-800-662-6200.
Oct 2006 · 2006 · Exterior LightingThis standard is to reduce crashes, injuries and deaths by providing adequate illumination of the roadway…
The defect. Certain vehicles fail to comply with the "vertical gradient" and "headlamp photometric values" requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, 'Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.'
What can happen. This standard is to reduce crashes, injuries and deaths by providing adequate illumination of the roadway, and by enhancing the conspicuity of motor vehicles on the public roads so that their…
The free fix. Dealers will replace the headlamp assemblies. The recall is expected to begin on or about april 16, 2007. Owners may contact Infiniti at 1-800-662-6200.
Dec 2005 · 2003–2004 · Fuel System, GasolineFuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
The defect. On certain passenger and sport utility vehicles, the fuel filler hose may crack and result in fuel leakage from the hose while refueling.
What can happen. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the fuel filler hose. Recall began on february 27, 2006, for Nissan owners, and on march 13, 2006, for Infiniti owners. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261 or Infiniti at…
Nov 2003 · 2003 · Engine and Engine CoolingThis could cause the "service engine soon" warning light to come on, create a no start condition, cause…
The defect. 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.
What can happen. 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…
The free fix. 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…
Jun 2003 · 2003 · Exterior LightingIf this occurs, the brake lamps will not illuminate when the brake is applied, which could result in a crash…
The defect. On certain sedan and coupe model vehicles, the brake stop lamp switch may malfunction.
What can happen. If this occurs, the brake lamps will not illuminate when the brake is applied, which could result in a crash without warning.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the brake lamp switch. Owner notification began on june 23, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the…
Dec 2002 · 2003 · Exterior LightingCertain sedans fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no.
Certain sedans fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." In the assembly of the headlamps, it is necessary to have a means to adjust the headlamps. Tamperproof caps to prevent horizontal adjustment of the headlamps are…
The free fix. Dealers will install the missing tamperproof caps on the headlamp assemblies. Owner notification began january 20, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon…
Sep 2002 · 2003 · Fuel System, GasolineIf the connection comes loose while driving, the engine will stop running due to lack of fuel, increasing the…
The defect. On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel hose connection for the outlet of the fuel pump which is located at the top of the fuel tank may not have been properly attached when the vehicle was assembled and could come loose while driving or when starting the…
What can happen. If the connection comes loose while driving, the engine will stop running due to lack of fuel, increasing the risk of a crash. Also, if the connection comes loose while driving or attempting to start…
The free fix. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, properly attach the fuel hose to the fuel pump. Owner notification is expected to begin october 7, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer…
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 1,137 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 48 (4.2%)
- Fires
- 16
- Injury reports
- 25
- Fatality reports
- 2
G35 problems by model year
The 2003 drew the most complaints of this generation, 533, most of them about the electrical system, and the 2006 the fewest, 145. A typical year drew about 230.
That makes the 2003 stand out at roughly 2.3 times a typical year (what a yearly count can and cannot say).
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 533 | 416 | 87,000 | Electrical system (220) | 5 |
| 2004 | 244 | 192 | 61,000 | Engine (43) | 1 |
| 2005 | 215 | 176 | 78,000 | Airbag system (46) | 1 |
| 2006 | 145 | 114 | 55,000 | Engine and its cooling system (21) | 2 |
What G35 owners reported
The contact owns a 2005 Infiniti G35. The contact stated that the seat failed to recline. The service engine light was illuminated. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V175000 (Air Bags, Seats). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the cause…
2005 · 190,000 miles · Airbag system
The contact's girlfriend owns a 2005 Infiniti G35. The contact stated that his girlfriend received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V175000 (Air Bags, Seats). The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the recall repair was completed; however, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the…
2005 · 85,000 miles · Airbag system
The contact owns a 2005 Infiniti G35. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, there was an abnormal sound as if the sunroof was opened. The contact stated that the sunroof was glued in place to a rubber gasket which had started coming apart. The contact called a local dealer and was informed that the sunroof was no…
2005 · 80,000 miles · Visibility equipment
The contact owns a 2003 Infiniti. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds with the accelerator pedal was depressed, the transmission lever shifted inadvertently into neutral(N) for several few seconds and then remained in drive(D). The contact stated that the check engine, automatic transmission, and…
2003 · 99,000 miles · Transmission and driveline
Built from 898 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built
Other G35 generations
- G35 2007–2008 153 reports with mileage, most about the airbag system