2003 Infiniti I35: common problems and reliability

One of the weaker I35 years.

95 owner complaints, most about engine. 5 recalls.

Should I buy a 2003 I35?

The 2003 Infiniti I35 has 95 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are engine and engine and engine cooling.

Safety record for the 2003 model year

95
Owner complaints
5
Recalls
2
Crash reports
0
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2003 Infiniti I35 vehicles (US, public record).

The Year Score compares this year with other I35 years only. How we score it

Is 2003 a good year for the I35?

Across the 4 I35 model years we track, complaint volume runs from 2 (2001) to 95 (2003). With 95 complaints, the 2003 I35 sits above the model's median of 76.

These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.

Where owners report problems

engine
44
engine and engine cooling
27
electrical system
13
vehicle speed control
10
air bags
8

Recalls affecting the 2003 I35

air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

Campaign 20V008000

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 bags

Campaign 15V226000

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Infiniti I35, 2003-2005 FX35 and FX45, and 2006 M35 and M45 vehicles originally sold, or currently registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Saipan, Guam, and American Samoa, as well as Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and Georgia, are included. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

air bags

Campaign 15V287000

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.

air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

Campaign 16V349000

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.

Show 1 more recall

engine and engine cooling

Campaign 03V455000

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 owners say across generations

Overwhelmingly positive sentiment regarding long-term reliability and value for money, particularly for well-maintained, high-mileage examples.

Owner insights cover all generations of the I35. See the full I35 owner picture and every model year.

Typical used price

Used I35 listings typically run $5,195–$8,068 across 2002 to 2004 model years.

Other I35 model years

Compare every I35 year side by side to see how 2003 ranks against the rest.

Compare the I35 against its rivals

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