Infiniti FX35 Best and Worst Years (2005–2013)
Avoid the 2005, 2007, and 2008 Infiniti FX35 years, which carry the highest complaint indexes (88, 75, and 100) and are dominated by airbag and structure/body issues plus multiple recall campaigns. The 2011 model year is the Best pick with a complaint index of just 13 and zero recalls.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
- Model years
- 9
- 2005–2013
- NHTSA complaints
- 265
- Recall campaigns
- 11
- Crashes reported
- 13
- Fires reported
- 1
- Top problem area
- Airbags
FX35 Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Infiniti FX35 problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Avoid | 88 | 94 | 5 | 0 | 9 | Structure & Body | 17.5 | — |
| 2006 | Caution | 63 | 40 | 2 | 0 | 7 | Airbags | 17.5 | — |
| 2007 | Avoid | 75 | 37 | 2 | 1 | 4 | Airbags | 17.5 | — |
| 2008 | Avoid | 100 | 35 | 2 | 0 | 4 | Airbags | 17.5 | — |
| 2009 | Good | 38 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Structure & Body | 18.5 | — |
| 2010 | Good | 25 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Electrical System | 18.5 | — |
| 2011 | Best | 13 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Fuel System | 18.5 | — |
| 2012 | Caution | 50 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Engine | 18.5 | — |
| 2013 | No verdict | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Airbags | — | — |
FX35 years to avoid: what went wrong
2008 Infiniti FX35 Index 100 · 35 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2008 FX35 posts the highest complaint index in the lineup at 100, with Airbags accounting for 54% of its 35 complaints at a median failure mileage of 120,902 miles. This year also recorded one death and 20 injuries, the worst injury count of any FX35 model year, alongside two crashes. NHTSA lists four recall campaigns, all tied to airbag components. Electrical and structure/body issues appeared less often. The severity of airbag-related outcomes makes 2008 the highest-risk year for this model.
2005 Infiniti FX35 Index 88 · 94 complaints · 9 recalls
The 2005 FX35 has a complaint index of 88, the second-worst of any year, built on 94 total complaints. Structure & Body problems lead at 31% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 75,000 miles, followed closely by Airbags at 27% (median 115,000 miles). Owners also reported brake-related incidents, some resulting in crashes. NHTSA lists nine recall campaigns for this year, more than any other FX35 model year, with three tied to passenger airbag inflators. Given the volume of complaints and recall activity, this year ranks near the bottom of the lineup.
2005 structure & body problems →2005 airbags problems →2005 electrical system problems →
2007 Infiniti FX35 Index 75 · 37 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2007 FX35 carries a complaint index of 75 across 37 complaints. Airbags top the list at 24% of complaints (median 80,000 miles), with Structure & Body close behind at 22% (median 64,000 miles) and Electrical System issues at 16%. Owners described airbags failing to deploy in crashes and reported unrelated brake and electrical problems, including one report of fire. NHTSA lists four recall campaigns for this year, three covering airbag inflator replacement. The combination of airbag complaints and recall overlap places 2007 among the years to avoid.
Most common Infiniti FX35 problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Airbags81 (31%)
- Structure & Body54 (20%)
- Other51 (19%)
- Electrical System44 (17%)
- Engine28 (11%)
- Fuel System18 (7%)
- Brakes16 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain12 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires11 (4%)
- Visibility & Wipers10 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- Which Infiniti FX35 years should I avoid?
- NHTSA data points to 2005, 2007, and 2008 as the years to avoid, based on complaint indexes of 88, 75, and 100 and airbag-related recall campaigns. The 2008 model year also recorded one death and 20 injuries, the highest of any FX35 year.
- What is the best Infiniti FX35 year to buy?
- The 2011 model year is rated Best, with a complaint index of only 13, 11 total complaints, and zero recall campaigns. 2009 and 2010 are also rated Good, with complaint indexes of 38 and 25.
- Does the Infiniti FX35 have airbag recalls?
- Yes. Airbags are the top problem area across all FX35 years, accounting for 81 of 265 total complaints (31%). Several recall campaigns, including 20V008000 and 16V349000, cover front passenger airbag inflator replacement on multiple model years.
- Is the 2012 Infiniti FX35 reliable?
- The 2012 FX35 is rated Caution, with a complaint index of 50 across 14 complaints and no recalls listed. Engine issues were its top reported problem area.
- How many total complaints does the Infiniti FX35 have?
- Across 2005-2013, NHTSA lists 265 total complaints and 11 recall campaigns for the FX35, with Airbags (31%) and Structure & Body (20%) as the leading problem areas.