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 244 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Infiniti G35, and it carries 3 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior lighting | 27 | 11% |
| Engine | 21 | 9% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 15 | 6% |
| Power train | 13 | 5% |
| Unknown or other | 11 | 5% |
| Vehicle speed control | 11 | 5% |
| Air bags | 11 | 5% |
| Seats | 11 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 9 | 4% |
| Fuel system | 7 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Car has unintended acceleration that can only be stopped by turning off ignition key. This happens without warning. When stopped and foot on brake car accelerates to top rpm then brake goes to floor resulting in no contr
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
Lock actuators on passenger side have NEVER worked, fuel pump stops working when filling up tank even though not nearly full (have to repush the pump in several times - sometimes it doesn’t let me fill up tank totally be
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
My heater and AC lights kicks on and off causing my windows to fog making it easy to have an accident. There is a ticking as well but no lights
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
I was driving my car and heard a loud sound and then my airbags went off. I lost control on my steering and was able to coast the car to shoulder. The airbags deployed even though there was no collision with another ca
NHTSA complaint: Power train
This vehicle hit my car and we are trying to find the owners
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
I was driving on Business Highway 85 in Thomasville, North Carolina on a clear, cool day. There were no other cars on the road, and no overpasses. While traveling at about 60 miles per hour, all of a sudden there sounded
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
The transmission continuously slipping and putting code u1000
NHTSA complaint: Power train
WHILE DRIVING 3 WARNING LIGHTS COME ON (VACATION, NO SLIP, AND CHECK ENGINE) THEN I LOOSE CONTROL OF ACCELERATION. I HAD THE CHECK ENGINE CODE READ AND THE CODE IS P2138, WHICH IS THE THROTTLE CONTROL/ PEDAL POSITION SEN
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2004 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.
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 | 76 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 75 | good |
| Maintenance | 73 | good |
| Depreciation | 52 | average |
| Performance | 62 | average |
| Efficiency | 38 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 244 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and exterior lighting is the most reported area with 27 of them (11%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 76/100 (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 75/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2004 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 66/100. 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.