The 2003 draws 7 complaints per run and the 2004 2.42, a 2.9-fold gap within the same model. Half of all complaints arrive by 10 years of age, so 90.8% land after the 4-year basic warranty ends. The system owners report most is Engine, with 55 complaints, typically at 11.5 years.
Infiniti I35 years to avoid — and the best ones
| Model year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Enough history? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 29 | 12 | yes | |
| 2003 | 84 | 12 | yes | |
| 2002 | 65 | 12 | yes |
Does the market discount it? In our listings a 2003 I35 asks a median $2,995, against $4,000 for a 2004, the next model year: about 25% less, so sellers do price some of the trouble in.
Among the 3 Infiniti I35 years with enough history, the three to walk away from are 2003, 2002, 2004; the three worth hunting are 2004, 2002, 2003.
When it starts to break
| Age at failure | Complaints | Running total | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 years | 4.6% | covered | |
| 1 year | 5.3% | covered | |
| 2 years | 7.2% | covered | |
| 3 years | 9.2% | covered | |
| 4 years | 11.2% | you pay | |
| 5 years | 13.2% | you pay | |
| 6 years | 16.4% | you pay | |
| 7 years | 25.7% | you pay | |
| 8 years | 36.2% | you pay | |
| 9 years | 44.7% | you pay | |
| 10 years | 53.9% | you pay | |
| 11 years | 67.1% | you pay | |
| 12 years | 82.9% | you pay | |
| 13 years | 91.4% | you pay | |
| 14 years | 96.1% | you pay | |
| 15 years | 100% | you pay |
Basic warranty on this car is 4 years / 50,000 miles. Only 9.2% of reported failures happen inside it — the remaining 90.8% come out of the owner's pocket. Powertrain cover (6 years / 70,000 miles) reaches further, but it only covers the engine and transmission, which account for about 61% of the complaints here.
What actually fails — and at what age
What waits further out is Engine at 11.5 years — past every basic warranty, and the bill lands on whoever owns the car then.
| System | Complaints | Typical age | Crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 11.5 yrs | 1 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 7.4 yrs | — | — | |
| Air Bags | 11.2 yrs | 4 | — | |
| Electrical System | 11.1 yrs | 1 | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 7.9 yrs | 3 | 1 | |
| Suspension | 5.6 yrs | 2 | 1 | |
| Power Train | 7.7 yrs | 1 | — | |
| Unknown Or Other | 11.1 yrs | — | — |
What else in this class
6 models share the I35's vehicle class. Per production run, the Toyota Camry draws 5.65, the Honda Accord 4.02 and the Dodge Challenger 3.27, against 5.09 for the I35.
| Same class as the I35 | Complaints on record | Recall campaigns | Years built |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Camry | 161 | 1983–2026 | |
| Honda Accord | 415 | 1981–2026 | |
| Dodge Challenger | 77 | 1981–2026 | |
| Toyota Prius | 109 | 2001–2026 | |
| Hyundai Elantra | 117 | 1992–2026 | |
| Nissan Altima | 148 | 1993–2026 |
The table shows totals on record; the rates per production run are in the sentence above.
Good year or bad year — the VIN settles it.
- Check any VIN against complaints for its exact build year and plant
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Frequently asked questions
Is the Infiniti I35 reliable?
By complaints per production run it is worse than typical: 5.09 against 3.73 for the average car, and in the middle of its class rivals.
Which I35 years should you avoid?
By complaints per production run, 2003, 2002, 2004. The cleanest years old enough to judge are 2004, 2002, 2003. Years newer than 6 are left out: complaints keep arriving for years after a car is sold.
When do I35 problems usually start?
Half of all complaints arrive by 10 years of age. The most reported system is Engine, typically at 11.5 years, followed by Engine and Engine Cooling.
Will the warranty cover I35 problems?
Mostly not: basic cover is 4 years / 50,000 miles, and only 9.2% of reported failures fall inside it. Powertrain cover lasts longer, but engine and transmission make up about 61% of the complaints here.
Is the I35 more reliable than the Toyota Camry?
Yes: 5.09 complaints per production run for the I35 against 5.65 for the Toyota Camry.
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