The most-reported I35 run is JNKDA31AX2T (2002 builds) with 22 complaints, 4.3× the typical run. Engine problems make up 28% of reports; 2003 is the worst model year at 7 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for I35 model years 2002–2004.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Infiniti I35 has 35 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 39% of every I35 complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JNKDA31AX2T•••••• | 2002 | 5 | 2 | |
| JNKDA31A63T•••••• | 2003 | — | — | |
| JNKDA31A53T•••••• | 2003 | — | — | |
| JNKDA31A83T•••••• | 2003 | — | — | |
| JNKDA31A73T•••••• | 2003 | 1 | — | |
| JNKDA31A43T•••••• | 2003 | — | — | |
| JNKDA31A93T•••••• | 2003 | — | — | |
| JNKDA31A33T•••••• | 2003 | — | — | |
| JNKDA31A02T•••••• | 2002 | 1 | — | |
| JNKDA31A42T•••••• | 2002 | 1 | — | |
| JNKDA31A52T•••••• | 2002 | 1 | — | |
| JNKDA31A82T•••••• | 2002 | 1 | — |
Each of the other 23 I35 runs has 6 complaints or fewer.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Infiniti I35 the gap between build years is 2.9×: a 2003 car draws 7 complaints per run, a 2004 one 2.4.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 29 | 12 | — | |
| 2003 | 84 | 12 | 1 | |
| 2002 | 65 | 12 | 11 |
Heaviest year here is 2003 at 7 complaints per run; lightest is 2004 at 2.4.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 28% of everything Infiniti I35 owners report: Engine, 55 of 178 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | — | — | |
| Air Bags | 4 | — | |
| Electrical System | 1 | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | 1 | |
| Suspension | 2 | 1 | |
| Power Train | 1 | — | |
| Unknown Or Other | — | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 7 recall campaigns on the Infiniti I35; the 6 below cover build years 2002 to 2004. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 20V008000 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module | 2002–2004 |
| 15V226000 | Air Bags | 2003–2004 |
| 16V349000 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module | 2003–2004 |
| 15V287000 | Air Bags | 2002–2003 |
| 03V455000 | Engine And Engine Cooling | 2002–2003 |
| 02V146000 | Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm | 2002 |
20V008000 was opened in 2020 on cars built from 2002: 18 years on the road before the recall.
The I35 against its rivals
The I35 draws 5.1 complaints per production run; the Buick Century 2.7, the Cadillac Seville 1.9 and the Mazda 626 4.7. That is the highest rate of the 4.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infiniti I35 | 178 | 35 | 6.7% | |
| Buick Century | 1,348 | 494 | 7.9% | |
| Cadillac Seville | 649 | 347 | 6.8% | |
| Mazda 626 | 2,225 | 474 | 6.3% |
How serious were they
Of the 178 reports on the Infiniti I35, 6.7% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Infiniti I35 | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 178 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 12 (6.7%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 2 (1.1%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 15 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 11 | 2,728 |
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Infiniti I35 share of that is 178 complaints over 35 runs, 0.02% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Infiniti I35 VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 178 NHTSA complaints from 35 I35 runs and 7 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which I35 production run has the most complaints?
JNKDA31AX2T, a 2002 build, with 22 complaints, 5 of them after a crash. The typical I35 run has 5.1.
Which I35 years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2003 is heaviest at 7 complaints per run and 2004 lightest at 2.4.
Does the I35 get more complaints than the Buick Century?
Yes: 5.1 complaints per production run for the I35 against 2.7 for the Buick Century.
How many I35 complaints involve a crash?
6.7% of 178 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 2 involved a fire.
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