YearToAvoid

2008 Infiniti EX35 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2008 Infiniti EX35 ranks worst of 5 model years, with a complaint index of 100, 44 complaints, 3 recalls, and a rank of 1 (worst first). Airbags and steering are the top problem areas, so it carries an Avoid verdict.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
100/100
#1 of 5 EX35 years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
44
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
3
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
5
reported in complaints
Fires
2
Injuries
3
Top issue
Airbags
Best nearby year
2011
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
19
16.5 city / 23.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0

Top 2008 Infiniti EX35 problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags11 (25%)
  2. Steering11 (25%)
  3. Engine10 (23%)
  4. Electrical System6 (14%)
  5. Structure & Body4 (9%)
  6. Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (7%)
  7. Fuel System2 (5%)
  8. Other2 (5%)
  9. Transmission & Powertrain2 (5%)
  10. Brakes1 (2%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Front airbags sometimes failed to deploy in frontal crashes, including one impact that resulted in a fractured vertebra.
  • Steering wheels have lost connection to the wheels entirely, spinning 360 degrees with no effect on vehicle direction while driving.
  • Rear tire areas have caught fire while vehicles were parked, in some cases destroying the car.
  • The passenger airbag warning light has illuminated and flashed, later diagnosed as a broken airbag sensor or electrical fault tied to the same issue covered by two recall campaigns.
  • The engine has stalled at low speed and entered limp mode without warning.
  • The vehicle has stopped suddenly while in motion, related to a fuel pump issue that owners tied to a prior recall repair.
2008 Infiniti EX35 complaints: complaints filed per month3Jan 2010Feb 2013Jun 2014Apr 2015Mar 2016Jan 2017Jan 2019Apr 2021
44 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2010 to Apr 2021; peak Jun 2014 (3).

2008 Infiniti EX35 recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 15V054000Feb 2, 2015Steering16,973 vehicles

    Steering:column

    Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2008 Infiniti EX35 vehicles equipped with the power tilt/telescope option included in the premium package, manufactured June 29, 2007, to April 25, 2008, 2009 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 vehicles manufactured October 31, 2007, to April 16, 2008, and 2009 Nissan GT-R vehicles manufactured March 14, 2007, to April 25, 2008. The steering column outer tube may not be round, resulting in extra stress being applied to the upper steering bearing. This stress may cause the bearing retainer to fracture, creating extra play in the steering wheel or a possible loss of steering.

    Risk: Extra play in the steering wheel or a loss of steering may increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering shaft on the Infiniti EX35, FX35, and FX45 vehicles, and will replace the steering column assembly on the Nissan GT-R vehicles, free of charge. The recall began on March 9, 2015. Infiniti owners may contact customer service at 1-800-662-6200. Nissan owners may contact the GT-R hotline at 1-866-668-1487.

  2. NHTSA 08V521000Oct 7, 2008Electrical System204,361 vehicles

    Electrical system:software

    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) control units. A varistor in the ocs control unit located in the passenger seat cushion may have been manufactured out of specification. Under certain conditions, this could cause an interruption of signal between the ocs and the air bag control unit (acu).

    Risk: This could result in the passenger air bag being suppressed which could fail to provide adequate protection in the event of a crash.

    Remedy: 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 replaced with a new one manufactured to specification. The recall began on november 4, 2008. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261 or infiniti at 1-800-662-6200.

  3. NHTSA 08V066000Feb 12, 2008Airbags16,365 vehicles

    Air bags

    Nissan is recalling 16,365 my 2008 infiniti ex35 and my 2009 nissan murano vehicles. Due to incorrect software programming, the air bag control unit (acu) may cause the passenger air bag not to operate as designed if the vehicle battery becomes significantly discharged.

    Risk: This could result in the passenger air bag not inflating in a crash in which it was designed to do so, and increasing the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the acu in affected vehicles. The recall began on february 19, 2008. Owners may contact infiniti at 1-800-662-6200 or nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

2008 Infiniti EX35 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
16.5 MPG
Highway
23.5 MPG
Combined
19 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,200
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2008 compared with other EX35 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020082009201020112012
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2008Avoid10044319
2009Caution508019
2010Avoid7515019

All Infiniti EX35 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2008 Infiniti EX35 reliable?
It has the highest complaint index (100) and the most complaints (44) among the 5 model years with data, plus 3 recalls, so it ranks worst and carries an Avoid verdict relative to other EX35 years.
What problems does the 2008 Infiniti EX35 have?
NHTSA complaints point to airbags (25% of complaints) and steering (25%) as the top problem areas, followed by engine issues (23%). Median mileage at failure across all complaints was 75,300 miles.
Does the 2008 Infiniti EX35 have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls: one for a steering shaft on vehicles with the power tilt/telescope option, one for an electrical occupant classification sensor issue, and one for airbag control unit software that could stop the passenger airbag from deploying.
What year Infiniti EX35 should I avoid?
Based on NHTSA data, 2008 and 2010 are rated Avoid, with 2008 having the higher complaint index of the two (100 vs 75). 2011 is rated Best and 2012 is rated Good among the years covered.
What is the fuel economy of the 2008 Infiniti EX35?
EPA rates it at 19 mpg combined (16.5 city / 23.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,200.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.