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2003 Infiniti I35 Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2003 Infiniti I35 has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 5 recurring issue clusters, led by “Throttle response loss or surge while driving.” Infiniti manuals split service into Schedule 1 (severe — short trips, city traffic, extreme temperatures) and Schedule 2 (easy highway use). Most US drivers honestly belong on Schedule 1: oil every 5,000 miles. The VQ V6s that power most of the lineup are chain-driven and durable when the oil stays fresh. The two things owners skip at their peril: CVT fluid on QX50/QX60 (extended intervals are how these transmissions die) and oil discipline on the twin-turbo VR30 in Q50/Q60 Red Sport.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2003 Infiniti I35.

Reported to NHTSA

Throttle response loss or surge while driving

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

10 NHTSA complaints · 2004-09 → 2017-04

“WHILE DRIVING THE CAR DOES NOT RESPOND TO THE GAS PEDAL BY ACCELERATING SOMETIMES. I HAVE BEEN AT VERY LOW SPEEDS WHILE TURNING A CORNER OR AT VERY HIGH SPEEDS WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND THE CAR WILL NOT RESPOND TO THE FACT THAT I AM PRESSING THE GAS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10316425
“THE CAR SUDDENLY LOSES THROTTLE CONTROL UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS; THE ENGINE RETURN TO "IDLE SPEED". I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR STARTED SLOWING DOWN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10311512
“RECENTLY, I HAVE NOTICED SUDDEN SURGE OF ACCELERATION @ LOW SPEEDS...AND TODAY IT STOPPED ALL OF A SUDDEN WHILE DRIVING. IT HAPPENED TWICE TODAY AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS ITSELF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10328706

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stall with crank or cam position sensor diagnosis

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

32 NHTSA complaints · 2007-07 → 2021-06

“2003 INFINITY I35 STALLS/DIES WITHOUT WARNING, SPITS/JERKS FORWARD, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, TCS AND SLIP. HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING BUT USUALLY STARTS RIGHT BACK UP AFTERWARDS. HAS HAPPENED A NUMBER OF TIMES HAVE REPLACED ONE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND STILL HAVE THE SAME ISSUE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11407567
“CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT A SPEED OF 30 MPH. DIAGNOSTIC TEST REVEALED CODES FOR CAMSHAFT/CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSORS. VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL. MECHANIC VERIFIED THAT THE SENSORS FAILING WERE THE PROBLEM. CAR TOWED TO HOME”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10864936
“WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES AT VARIOUS SPEEDS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10936151

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stall while driving, sensor not identified

ENGINE

32 NHTSA complaints · 2008-09 → 2020-02

“WHILE IN MOTION, MY VEHICLE STALLS/CUTS OUT COMPLETELY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11073565
“MY DAUGHTER WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. THE CAR STALLED AND HAD TO BE PUSHED FROM THE INTERSECTION. IT STARTED SEVERAL MINUTES LATER. THE CAR HAS STALLED ON ME SEVERAL TIMES PRIOR TO THIS WHEN THE CAR HAS COME TO A STOP AND SOMETIMES WHEN IN MOTION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10464512
“I BOUGHT A USED 2003 INFINITI I-35 ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND IT WAS RUNNING FINE UNTIL ABOUT A WEEK AGO WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING WHILE I WAS DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10641905

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Loss of power steering and brakes after engine shutoff

POWER TRAIN, ENGINE

5 NHTSA complaints · 2007-08 → 2015-07

“DRIVING ON HIGHWAY @55MPH WHEN ENGINE STOPPED FUNCTIONING. LOST POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES AND CAREENED OFF THE ROAD ALMOST HITTING A HOUSE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10745266
“THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH. THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND STEERING BECAME INOPERABLE. THE COMPUTERIZED SYSTEM CODE WAS RESET. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESUME OPERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10320711
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 INFINITI I35. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING OR BRAKE FUNCTIONALITY. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10198935

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Takata air bag recall notices and warning light

AIR BAGS

7 NHTSA complaints · 2014-08 → 2020-01

“TAKATA RECALL 2003 INFINITI I35 PASSENGER AIR BAGS WERE RECALLED AND REPLACED BY DEALER BUT DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. DEALER WILL NOT REPLACE DRIVER'S SIDE TAKATA AIRBAG UNLESS RECALL IS ANNOUNCED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11244449
“DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG NOT RECALLED YET CONFIRMED FROM DEALER- AIRBAG IS TAKATA AIRBAG AND PRONE TO RELEASING SHRAPNEL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11299772
“I RECEIVE A LETTER THAT MY CAR FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG INFLATOR HAS MANUFACTURE PROBLEM AND MAY NOT COME OUT IN CASE OF A ACCIDENT, AND INFINITI SAY THAT THEY WILL FIX IT AND I WANT TO KNOW WERE I CAN GO AND GET IT FIX? AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10629001

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 5,000 mi

Every 5,000 miles under Schedule 1 (most US driving); 7,500 on the easy-use Schedule 2. VQ engines tolerate a lot but reward fresh oil with quiet chains and clean variable-timing operation. VR30 twin-turbo: treat 5,000 as the ceiling.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 5,000 mi

Rotate with every oil change. Staggered-fitment sport models (G37S, Q60) can't rotate front-to-rear — budget rear tires accordingly.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

CVT Fluid (QX50 / QX60)

Every 60,000 mi

CVT-equipped models: replace fluid around 60,000 miles — sooner with towing or hot-climate city driving. Use only Nissan NS-spec CVT fluid. This is the single most skipped, most expensive-to-skip item on modern Infiniti SUVs.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$360–$500

Shop

~$255–$355

DIY

~$80–$180

CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, and lines at every service. Akebono-caliper sport packages wear pads unevenly if the slide hardware isn't serviced — have it cleaned and lubricated with pad changes.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace around 30,000 miles. Twin-intake VQ and VR engines use two filters — replace both, not just the easy one.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace roughly every 30,000 miles or 2 years — Infiniti pairs it with major services. Sport models driven hard should err toward the 2-year mark.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Automatic Transmission Fluid (7/9-speed)

Every 60,000 mi

Conventional automatics (G35/G37/Q50 RWD 7-speed, QX80 9-speed): fluid service around 60,000 miles under severe use keeps shifts clean. Matic-S/Matic-D spec fluid only.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 105,000 mi

Iridium plugs rated to 105,000 miles. On transverse VQ models (older QX60, JX35) the rear bank hides under the intake plenum — pay the labor once, at the full interval.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace about every 15,000 miles; behind the glovebox on most models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Long-Life Coolant

Every 75,000 mi

First replacement at 75,000 miles / 5 years (Nissan blue long-life), then about every 4 years after. Genuine or NS-spec coolant only — mixing types gels.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Drive Belt Inspection

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect from 60,000 miles; replace on cracking, glazing, or tensioner noise. VQ accessory belts announce their age with a cold-start chirp.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually after year 3. Intelligent-Key and always-on telematics draw at rest — weak batteries show up first as slow push-button starts.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

26 crashes 1990–2024

How the 26 occupant deaths break down

15

driver deaths

11

passenger deaths

26

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2003 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

2

complaints mentioning a crash

0

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2003 Infiniti I35 reflects INFINITI's published service intervals and the Schedule 1 / Schedule 2 Maintenance system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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