YearToAvoid

2006 Infiniti M35 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2006 Infiniti M35 ranks worst of the 5 model years with data, with a complaint index of 100, 210 complaints, and 5 recalls. It carries an Avoid verdict, driven mainly by Structure & Body (27%), Steering (25%), and Airbag (23%) complaints.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
100/100
#1 of 5 M35 years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
210
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
5
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
8
reported in complaints
Fires
1
Injuries
4
Top issue
Structure & Body
Best nearby year
2010
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
18
16 city / 22.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
4 / 0

Top 2006 Infiniti M35 problems

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

  1. Structure & Body57 (27%)
  2. Steering53 (25%)
  3. Airbags49 (23%)
  4. Engine32 (15%)
  5. Electrical System22 (10%)
  6. Suspension, Wheels & Tires20 (10%)
  7. Other10 (5%)
  8. Brakes9 (4%)
  9. Fuel System4 (2%)
  10. Transmission & Powertrain3 (1%)

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

What owners report

  • Owners report sudden unintended acceleration while braking, in some cases crashing into walls or other vehicles.
  • Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during collisions, including a multi-vehicle highway crash.
  • Brake system failure was reported at 171,140 miles, causing a rear-end collision.
  • A camshaft or transmission valve issue was linked to a check engine light and, in one case, a fire after the vehicle was left unrepaired at 143,000 miles.
  • Electrical complaints describe a flickering navigation screen in reverse, a malfunctioning Bluetooth module, and poor headlight beam patterns creating a dark blind spot.
2006 Infiniti M35 complaints: complaints filed per quarter172005 Q22008 Q12010 Q32012 Q42014 Q42016 Q42018 Q42021 Q3
210 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2005 Q2 to 2024 Q2; peak 2017 Q1 (17).

2006 Infiniti M35 recalls

5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 20V008000Jan 9, 2020Airbags307,962 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

    Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback, 2001-2004 Infiniti I30 and I35, 2002-2003 Inifiniti QX4, 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 and 2006-2010 M35 and M45 vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated, frontal passenger air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

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

    Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators with alternate desiccated inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 888-737-9511 or Infiniti customer service at 888-810-3715.

  2. NHTSA 17V028000Jan 10, 2017Airbags152,554 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

    Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2012 Nissan Versa hatchbacks originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan) and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A". Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" above, Nissan is recalling certain 2009-2010 Infiniti M35 and M45 and 2009 Nissan Versa sedans and hatchbacks originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B". Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Nissan is recalling certain 2005-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45, 2006-2010 Infiniti M35 and M45, and 2007-2008 Nissan Versa vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

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

    Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began on June 8, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

  3. NHTSA 16V349000May 24, 2016Airbags413,852 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

    Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45, 2003-2004 Infiniti I35, 2006-2010 Infiniti M35 and M45, and 2007-2011 Nissan Versa vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Nissan is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45, 2003-2004 Infiniti I35, 2006-2008 Infiniti M35 and M45, and 2007-2008 Nissan Versa vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Nissan is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Infiniti I35 vehicles originally sold, or registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

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

    Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began December 21, 2017. All owners should receive a second notice by May 15, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

See all 5 recalls for the 2006 Infiniti M35 →

2006 Infiniti M35 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
16 MPG
Highway
22.5 MPG
Combined
18 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,600
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
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.

2006 compared with other M35 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020062007200820092010
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2006Avoid100210518
2007Avoid75155419
2008Caution5060519

All Infiniti M35 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2006 Infiniti M35 reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2006 M35 has the highest complaint index (100) and the most complaints (210) of the 5 model years tracked, earning it an Avoid verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Infiniti M35?
NHTSA complaints show Structure & Body issues as the top problem area (27% of complaints), followed by Steering (25%) and Airbags (23%).
Does the 2006 Infiniti M35 have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2006 M35, covering airbag inflators and an accelerator pedal sensor issue.
Which Infiniti M35 model years should I avoid?
Both 2006 and 2007 carry an Avoid verdict, with 2006 having the higher complaint index (100 vs 75). The 2010 model year has the lowest complaint index at 0 and rates Best.
At what mileage do 2006 Infiniti M35 problems typically appear?
Median mileage at failure varies by system: Steering issues appeared around 59,750 miles, Suspension around 92,500 miles, and Structure & Body issues around 101,000 miles.

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.