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 95 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Infiniti G35, and it carries 1 recall. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 23 | 24% |
| Unknown or other | 10 | 11% |
| Power train | 5 | 5% |
| Structure | 4 | 4% |
| Service brakes | 4 | 4% |
| Steering | 3 | 3% |
| Suspension | 3 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 3% |
| Engine | 3 | 3% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
B1022 OCCUPANT SENS C/U [COMM FAIL] - CURRENT B1022 OCCUPANT SENS C/U [COMM FAIL] - PAST Passenger seat Air Bag: There is a recall on this part for my vehicle's year make and model, but my VIN shows my car isn't apart of
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
Electronic Steering Column Lock (ESCL) failed leaving me stranded as car was unable to start. There was a recall on the 2009 model but not my 2008 even with identical part.
NHTSA complaint: Steering
Dashboard is melting/cracking causing a glare creating a visibility issue. Definitely a safety issue.
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
Water driving off of the roof of the car got plugged. Also, water running into the engine has caused rust holes. Water has gotten into the car through the sunroof. LOTS of complaints regarding this issue. Needs recalled
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
The contact owns a 2008 Infiniti G35. The contact stated there was a blinking alert for passenger air bag on the instrument panel and the centerpiece console. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and it was confir
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
Runaway acceleration. Three times now in the last two weeks the RPMs went to maximum redline without my foot on the accelerator pedal. Fortunately all occurred when I was at very slow speed and either in a driveway or
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
The Suspension Subframe Crossmember (Front) Part Number: 544B2-EG300 Supersession(s): 544B2EG300 Fits Infiniti G35’s (2007-2009) Have issues where it starts to rust on all areas of it . This includes the joints of the
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
Temperature gauge shows car as running hot even after having thermostat replaced. Car continuously runs hot with no resolution from Infiniti mechanics.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2008 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.
NISSAN IS RECALLING 204,361 MY 2007-2008 ALTIMA, ALTIMA HYBRID, 350Z, 350Z ROADSTER, MY 2008 ALTIMA COUPE, ROGUE, MY 2009 MURANO, AND INFINITI MY 2007-2008 G35 SEDAN, MY 2008 G37 COUPE AND EX35 PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS' OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) CONT
Risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG BEING SUPPRESSED WHICH COULD FAIL TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL TEST THE SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND ACU SYSTEMS USING A SPECIAL TOOL TO CHECK THAT IT IS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. IF NECESSARY, THE SEAT CUSHION (CONTAINING OCS HARDWARE) WILL BE REPLACE
| Reliability raw | 83 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 78 | good |
| Maintenance | 73 | good |
| Depreciation | 52 | average |
| Performance | 62 | average |
| Efficiency | 36 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 95 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 23 of them (24%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 83/100 (excellent) 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 78/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2008 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 69/100. 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.