Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 534 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Infiniti G35, and it carries 7 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 121 | 23% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 51 | 10% |
| Engine | 41 | 8% |
| Exterior lighting | 37 | 7% |
| Service brakes | 36 | 7% |
| Electrical system | 27 | 5% |
| Visibility | 19 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 16 | 3% |
| Power train | 13 | 2% |
| Air bags | 13 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
my g35 dies randomly i tried to have nissan in garden city kansas to fix they said they dont work on recalls not safe to drive 3 hours to Wichita kansas im not sure what todo
NHTSA complaint: Engine
MY CAR LEAKS FUEL UNDER REAR IF I AM FUELING. CAN ONLY ADD 2 TO 3 GALLONS OF FUEL OR FUEL WILL SPILL. ALSO HAVING THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR ISSUE. CAR WAS ON RECALL LIST FOR ALL 7 RECALLS AND VIN. CHECK SAYS ALL HAVE BEEN FIXE
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
The contact owns a 2003 Infiniti G35. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 03V200000 (Exterior Lighting); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manu
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
The ignition switch will not return to selection 3 after cranking.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The car engine cuts off / stalls while driving. This has happened multiple times. When driving on highway, the engine stops running, the car loses all power, and it is very difficult to restart the car. I had the car ins
NHTSA complaint: Engine
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
NHTSA complaint: Power train
Complete center console not working. Stuck on auto a/c with no way to defrost windshield and it was raining. No modes work, no cd, no radio, no heat, no defrost- front or rear. I have already had this happen before, repl
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
Twice while driving approximately 70 mph on the freeway, the engine shut off without warning and the service engine soon warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle coasted. There was no shoulder to pull over to. I put it
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2003 Infiniti G35. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
ON CERTAIN SEDAN AND COUPE MODEL VEHICLES, THE BRAKE STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION.
Risk: IF THIS OCCURS, THE BRAKE LAMPS WILL NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE IS APPLIED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
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
ZF SERVICE IS RECALL CERTAIN CLUTCH KIT ASSEMBLIES, PART NUMBER SX: K70358-01, SHIPPED TO WHOLESALERS AS SERVICE PARTS BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2010, AND MARCH 8, 2011. THESE SERVICE PARTS ARE INTENDED FOR USE ON MODEL YEAR 2003-2006 NISSAN 350Z AND INFINITI G35 VEHICLES. THE SX: K70358-01 CLUTCH KIT
Risk: AN OVERSIZED CLUTCH DISC COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO MOVE UNINTENTIONALLY ON THE INITIAL START-UP, IF THE DRIVER DOES NOT FOLLOW THE INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS AND FAILS TO USE THE SERVICE BRAKES WHILE
Fix: ZF SERVICE NOTIFY WHOLESALERS TO RETURN ANY AFFECTED CLUTCH KIT ASSEMBLIES STILL IN INVENTORY FOR FREE REPLACEMENT KITS. THIS CONDITION WILL CORRECT ITSELF AFTER THE FIRST START-UP AND USAGE OF THE C
CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIA
Risk: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH
Fix: AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FUEL FILLER HOSE MAY CRACK AND RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE HOSE WHILE REFUELING.
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
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
| Reliability raw | 67 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 71 | good |
| Maintenance | 73 | good |
| Depreciation | 52 | average |
| Performance | 62 | average |
| Efficiency | 36 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 534 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 121 of them (23%). There are 7 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 67/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 71/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2003 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 63/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.