Menu

2003 Infiniti FX35Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 61 owner complaints about the 2003 Infiniti FX35, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 10 safety recalls, and for recall 21V-139 the manufacturer reports only 26% of affected cars repaired.

2003 Infiniti FX35
46
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.2× the FX35 median · #3 of 10 years by complaints
Safety recalls10Lowest repair rate 26%Owner complaints615 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage128kAir bags, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 20, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2003 Infiniti FX35 has problems

61 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Air bags131
Latches/locks/linkages120
Electrical system80
Structure80
Seats51
Engine and engine cooling40
Power train41
Engine40
Exterior lighting30
10 other systems163

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

10 recalls

2003 Infiniti FX35 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

26%repaired · 2023 Q1

Air bags: frontal

Recall 21V-139 · Mar 4, 2021 · 26,158 vehicles · 6,805 repaired

Risk. A tear in the air bag may decrease air bag performance, and increase the risk of injury.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

36%repaired · 2021 Q2

Passenger side: inflator module

Recall 20V-008 · Jan 9, 2020 · 307,962 vehicles · 111,354 repaired

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

33%repaired · 2018 Q1

Passenger side: inflator module

Recall 16V-349 · May 24, 2016 · 413,852 vehicles · 138,299 repaired

Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

27%repaired · 2017 Q1

Air bags

Recall 15V-287 · May 15, 2015 · 1,090,569 vehicles · 297,865 repaired

Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 6 more recalls
35%repaired · 2017 Q1

Air bags

Recall 15V-226 · Apr 17, 2015 · 12,606 vehicles · 6,775 repaired

Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Exterior lighting: headlights

Recall 06V-328 · Aug 31, 2006 · 105,200 vehicles

Risk. THIS STANDARD IS TO REDUCE TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS AND INJURIES RESULTING FROM TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS, BY PROVIDING ADEQUATE ILLUMINATION OF THE ROADWAY, AND…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Exterior lighting

Recall 06V-244 · Jul 11, 2006 · 105,200 vehicles

Risk. THIS STANDARD IS TO REDUCE TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS AND INJURIES RESULTING FROM TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS, BY PROVIDING ADEQUATE ILLUMINATION OF THE ROADWAY, AND…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Power train: automatic transmission

Recall 03V-164 · May 5, 2003 · 164 vehicles

Risk. IF THE BOLTS COME LOOSE, THE PROPELLER SHAFT MAY COME OFF THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Infiniti.

Best & worst years

2003 vs. every other FX35 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the FX35 median. How we score

'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2003 Infiniti FX35, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Air Bag Inflator RuptureEA15001 · still open
    Led to recall 14V-668
  2. Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureEA21002 · still open
    Open
  3. Air Bag Inflator RupturePE14016 · closed Mar 2, 2015
    Led to recall 14E-073
In owners' words

What FX35 owners report

Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

My airbag light came on again recently, without any incident and I am concerned that this means my car is now unsafe. This happened in 2017 and it was a repair that was made without charge. I have now been informed that it would cost over $1,000 to repair, but I think this is a malfunction that…
Complaint 11719497 · Feb 20, 2026
Ever since I bought my infiniti the air bag light flashed rapidly on the dash. I received notice a couple years ago about the air bags being recalled.I took my vehicle to Roseville Infiniti and supposedly the airbags were replaced I expected it to take a couple hours it was in and out in under 2…
Complaint 11649383 · Mar 20, 2025
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 INFINITI FX35. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V008000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…
Complaint 11415922 · May 10, 2021 · 150,000 miles

Own a 2003 FX35?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.