2005 Infiniti G35 Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2005 G35 most often describe two patterns: an air bag warning light that comes on and stays on (frequently tied to the passenger-side seat sensor and recalls 10V175000), and unusually high oil consumption on the VQ35 "rev-up" engine, with some reporting a quart or more burned per thousand miles. The rest of the complaints cluster around stalling with the VDC/SLIP and service-engine lights, an unreliable fuel gauge and refueling problems, a failing high-mount brake light, and premature brake wear. Reports appear from very low mileage up past 150,000 miles, so many of these show up on well-used cars.

1. 1
   Air bags

   Air bag warning light / passenger seat sensor

   • 38 complaints (18%)
   • median 87,000 mi at 9.0 yrs old (33 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,300 (median of 11 quotes)
   • filed 2007–2025

   Owners describe the air bag warning light coming on or blinking and staying on. Dealers typically traced it to the passenger-side occupant sensor or side module and quoted repairs in the hundreds to thousands of dollars; several complaints say the light returned after recall 10V175000 work or that the dealer declined further coverage because the recall had already been performed. Some owners report the light lit again after the recall repair was completed. Reported from about 45,000 to 186,000 miles, spread fairly evenly across the sample with no clear mileage threshold.

   Recall 10V1750004 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether recall 10V175000 was performed and whether the light has come back since. With the key on, confirm the air bag lamp does its self-check and goes out.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “There was a recall for airbags on this vehicle on april 27, 2010. I purchased this vehicle about a month ago. The air bag light has been blinking every since day one, so I looked up the recalls and found that this was a problems. I also called infinity and they said the recall on this vehicle had been fixed and no further assistance will be given to this vehicle. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10615060, filed 2014-07, 186,025 miles

   “Air bag light keeps coming on 2005 Infiniti G35 sedan. I have taken it multiple times to riverside Infiniti (riverside, ca) for the same occurrence. Their claim is they had to reset the codes for which I was charged for. Once I drove it off their lot, the air bag light once again came back on. I had to exit the freeway to call them back. They told me to bring it back. I turned back around and proceeded back to the Infiniti dealer. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10328858, filed 2010-05, 75,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine

   Stalls while driving with VDC, SLIP and service engine

   • 38 complaints (18%)
   • median 110,000 mi at 10.0 yrs old (36 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $500 (median of 8 quotes)
   • filed 2007–2022

   Owners describe the engine cutting out at speed or at a stop, sometimes with hard steering and limited power assist, and the VDC OFF, SLIP and service-engine lights coming on. Dealers and mechanics commonly diagnosed a camshaft or crankshaft position sensor, with repairs around $500, and some owners report the stalling returning after the sensor was replaced. Others report the car restarting after a pause or needing a tow. Mostly reported between about 50,000 and 150,000 miles, at both highway and low speeds.

   6 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for any stored codes and history of cam/crank sensor replacement. Check that the VDC, SLIP and service-engine lights are off after start-up and during a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving my car in rush hour traffic, washington, dc. My car, for no apparent reason shut off and a light service engine soon came on. There was no warning that the car was going to cut-off. It simply shut off in the middle of traffic. I tried to restart and was unsuccessful the first couple of times. About the 4th try my car started and I continued to my destination. The ses light remained on. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10555877, filed 2013-12, 73,125 miles

   “Driving car then it stalled. Tried to restart and all lights came on (engine, vcf, slip-light). Wouldn't start for 2 minutes. Once restarted, engine light stayed on. Drove car to get diagnostic test. Diagnostic says camshaft position sensor. Researched and found same happenings on 2002 & 2003 models; Infiniti has recall on those. Called about my VIN and Infiniti claims that my VIN is not included in recall.”

   NHTSA complaint #10762535, filed 2015-09, 144,820 miles
3. 3
   Fuel system

   Fuel gauge reads wrong / hard to refuel

   • 36 complaints (17%)
   • median 102,627 mi at 9.4 yrs old (32 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $1,300 (median of 7 quotes)
   • filed 2006–2026

   Owners report the fuel gauge showing empty when the tank is full, sticking near half, or fluctuating, and some describe running out of fuel despite a reading of a quarter tank. Others report the car accepting only about six gallons at a fill-up. Dealers reportedly quoted several hundred to around $900 for the refueling problem, and some owners replaced senders and pumps without fixing the gauge. Reported from roughly 55,000 to 200,000 miles, often on cars well past 100,000 miles.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Fill the tank during the test drive and watch the gauge move; ask whether the EVAP filler tube warranty enhancement was applied and whether senders or pumps were replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I ran out of gas on my commute home from work. My gas hand read a quarter of a tank when I completely ran out of gas leaving me stranded on the interstate. Since this happened I've done some research and it's a common problem for G35 Infiniti's. They gave a recall on the nissan and Infiniti SUV for this exact problem same year my 2005 Infiniti was made. The G35 sedan and coupe should be included in this recall.”

   NHTSA complaint #11324862, filed 2020-05, 170,122 miles

   “The vehicle was a 2005 Infiniti G35. On 11/8/12, I was driving on the freeway in the middle lane going approximately 65 MPH and the car suddenly lost all acceleration. It dropped from 65 MPH to 0 MPH within minutes and the car seized up and was not responsive to pressing on the gas pedal. I was barely able to get to the right shoulder without causing an accident. The shoulder was extremely narrow and the car was immobile. The gas gauge on the dash said there was still a quarter of a tank of gas left. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10483767, filed 2012-11, 159,900 miles
4. 4
   Engine

   High oil consumption on the VQ35 engine

   • 23 complaints (11%)
   • median 58,000 mi at 6.9 yrs old (18 state mileage)
   • filed 2006–2018

   Owners report the engine using much more oil than expected, often a quart or more per 1,000 miles, with no visible leaks or smoke. They describe low or empty dipstick readings between changes, cold-start noise, and in some cases engine replacement or rebuild. Several say the dealer acknowledged it as a known issue and ran an oil consumption test before deciding on repairs. Reported from roughly 14,000 miles upward, including cars under 100,000 miles; several owners describe it worsening over time.

   What to check: Check the oil level on the dipstick and ask how much oil the car uses between changes; a documented oil consumption test or prior engine work is worth asking about.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I did a oil change on my car this day. I also did the one prior to it. I put 5 quarts in, but only drained about 2-2 1/2 qts. The dealership said that it is a known issue and that they need to do my next oil change and start the oil consumption tests. They said that if it is a problem, they will take the appropriate steps and possibly have the engine replaced.”

   NHTSA complaint #10268694, filed 2009-05, 41,000 miles

   “I was told we can make a shout out for a complaint to nissan/Infiniti for vq35de rev-up engines consuming a lot of oil at 1k miles. I own a 2005 G35 coupe 6 speed manual I have had 1 engine replacement for oil consumption problems and this being my new engine at 60k I am beginning to have the same issue again. I have to add 2.5 quarts of oil at 1k miles, and could damage my engine permanently Infiniti has denied me extended warranty cause of this issue.. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10384847, filed 2011-02, 95,500 miles
5. 5
   Exterior lighting

   High-mount (third) brake light fails

   • 30 complaints (14%)
   • median 77,000 mi at 6.2 yrs old (26 state mileage)
   • filed 2010–2016

   Owners describe the rear high-mount brake light dimming, flickering, or losing individual LEDs until the unit stops working entirely, sometimes noticed at low mileage. Dealers sell the complete replacement unit, and owners report the part plus labor costing several hundred dollars. Several note they have seen the same failure on other cars of this model. Reported from about 45,000 to 125,000 miles, with some owners noticing a single LED out years before total failure.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Have someone watch the high-mount brake light while you press the pedal, and check for dim or dead segments; ask whether the assembly has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The 3rd brake light on my vehicle keeps flickering or going out completely. This is dangerous and also annoying because I have almost been rear ended on numerous occasions because it is out.”

   NHTSA complaint #10367741, filed 2010-11, 45,000 miles

   “I drive a 2005 Infiniti G35 sedan. My 3rd brake light has now been off and on for about 3 weeks now. I have read that many other people who drive the same car as me are having the same problem and have addresses the issue to you. I am very shocked that something has not been done yet. I drive in rush hour traffic most of the day and fear that since my brake light does not come on I will get hit. It seems that this is a technical issue. It is very frustrating to know I could be in a fatal accident just because of a light not working. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10413058, filed 2011-07, 78,000 miles

Buying note. A 2005 G35 can be a sound used car, but check the specific items above before buying: confirm the air bag recall work and whether the warning light has returned, measure oil use over a few hundred miles, and verify the fuel gauge and high-mount brake light actually work. Service records showing sensor and brake work are a plus.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.