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2008 Infiniti G35 Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2008 Infiniti G35 has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Subframe and body corrosion from water intrusion.” 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.

Save this car as:

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 2008 Infiniti G35.

Reported to NHTSA

Subframe and body corrosion from water intrusion

SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE

5 NHTSA complaints · 2016-07 → 2024-05

“Brought car in for any state inspection and found the front suspension crossmember to 100% rusted thru. Car failed inspection”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11493243
“The contact owns a 2008 Infiniti G35. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, there was an abnormal popping sound as the rear-end of the vehicle lowered to the pavement upon depression of the accelerator pedal”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11475170
“Water driving off of the roof of the car got plugged. Also, water running into the engine has caused rust holes”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11591377

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Passenger seat airbag occupant sensor failure

AIR BAGS

27 NHTSA complaints · 2008-09 → 2026-06

“INFINITY HAS A VOLUNTARY RECALL, NSTSA #08V-521 FOR THE PASSENGER AIR BAG OCCUPANT SENSOR (OCS) ON 2008 INFINITY G35 WITH ERROR CODE B1022”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11093953
“MY PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT ACTIVATED AND WILL NOT GO OFF. I HAVE HAD THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED AS OCCUPANT SENSOR UNIT FAILED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10865264
“PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR FAILURE. THIS DISABLES THE AIRBAGS FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER. COST TO REPAIR APPROACHES THE VALUE OF THE CAR ($6K-7K)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11271090

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Dashboard melting and cracking causing glare

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

11 NHTSA complaints · 2014-10 → 2024-05

“Dashboard is melting/cracking causing a glare creating a visibility issue. Definitely a safety issue”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11591372
“DASHBOARD MELTED CREATING A STICKY, SHINY LAYER ON THE DASH. THIS CAUSES GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD CREATING A VISIBILITY HAZARD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11202889
“TWO COMPLAINTS. 1. THE DASHBOARD IN MY 2008 G35 IS MELTING. IT HAS A TACKY FEEL AND IS EASILY DAMAGED WHEN TOUCHED. MANY CRACKS IN THE DASHBOARD. AT TIMES THE SHINY APPEARANCE OF THE DASHBOARD REFLECTS LIGHT ON THE WINDSHIELD AND MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO DRIVE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10863961

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stalling at low speed

ENGINE

9 NHTSA complaints · 2012-03 → 2020-03

“ALMOST DAILY STALLING AT LOW SPEEDS. WHEN COMING TO A SLOWDOWN, THE VEHICLE WILL STALL WITH NO ERROR CODES OR LIGHTS GIVEN EXCEPT FOR POWER COMPLETELY TURNING OFF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11110938
“I WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC, AND AFTER MOVING OFF ABOUT 10 YARDS, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND ALL THE POWER EQUIPMENT STOPPED WORKING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10691270
“MY CAR HAS BEEN STALLING WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED. SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS COME UP (CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, SLIP LIGHT, BATTERY LIGHT) AND THEN THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN COMPLETELY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11317713

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake rotor warping and brake failure

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

6 NHTSA complaints · 2009-08 → 2020-07

“I PURCHASED A 2008 INFINITI G35 SEDAN. IT IS THE JOURNEY PACKAGE WITH THE OPTIONAL 18-INCH WHEELS. MY ROTORS ARE NOT SAFE. I ONLY HAVE 28,000 MILES ON MY CAR AND MY ROTORS HAVE ALREADY WARPED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10282402
“2008 INFINITI G35. CONSUMER EXPRESS DISCONTENT WITH BRAKE ISSUES ON HIS VEHICLE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE NEEDED BRAKE PADS AND THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 22,000 MILES. *JB”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10344371
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 INFINITI G35. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE REAR BRAKES CEASED. THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SCRAPING NOISE DETECTED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11342325

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Frontal airbag non-deployment in a crash

AIR BAGS

4 NHTSA complaints · 2009-09 → 2016-12

“AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ON V1. UPON REVIEW, A RECALL IS IN EFFECT FOR THE YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL OF V1 FOR "LACK" OF AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10283530
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 INFINITI G35. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TURNING ON THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES HOWEVER, THE BRAKES FAILED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10846076
“ALTHOUGH THE CAR HIT THE TREE ALMOST HEAD-ON, ONLY THE LEFT FRONT SIDE AIR BAG WENT OFF. THE STEERING WHEEL BAG NEVER WENT OFF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10359141

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)

190 crashes 1990–2024

How the 190 occupant deaths break down

123

driver deaths

63

passenger deaths

4

not recorded by seat

190

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2008 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.

10

complaints mentioning a crash

1

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 2008 Infiniti G35 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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