YearToAvoid

2009 Infiniti M35 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Good The 2009 Infiniti M35 has a complaint index of 25, the second-lowest among the 5 model years tracked, and earns a Good verdict. NHTSA lists 16 complaints, 5 recalls, and 2 crashes, with engine issues being the top problem area at 31% of complaints.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
25/100
#4 of 5 M35 years
Verdict
Good
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
16
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
5
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
2
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2010
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
19
17 city / 25 hwy
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Top 2009 Infiniti M35 problems

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

  1. Engine5 (31%)
  2. Other4 (25%)
  3. Airbags2 (13%)
  4. Brakes2 (13%)
  5. Electrical System2 (13%)
  6. Steering2 (13%)
  7. Fuel System1 (6%)
  8. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (6%)
  9. Transmission & Powertrain1 (6%)

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 stopped with the brake pedal depressed, leading to collisions.
  • Some describe the engine surging or racing in stop-and-go traffic, causing the vehicle to hit the car ahead.
  • A recurring 'rocks in a can' rattling or dragging noise was reported coming from underneath the vehicle.
  • Owners describe total brake failure or brake lockup during low-speed stops, especially in cold or snowy conditions.
  • Some report the steering pulling hard to one side on slightly uneven roads, described as a severe hazard.
  • Others report warped rotors causing violent steering wheel shaking and grinding noise when braking.
2009 Infiniti M35 complaints: complaints filed per month2Jul 2009Feb 2010May 2011Apr 2014Feb 2016Nov 2016Jan 2019
16 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2009 to Jan 2020; peak Nov 2010 (2).

2009 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 2009 Infiniti M35 →

2009 Infiniti M35 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
17 MPG
Highway
25 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.

2009 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
2007Avoid75155419
2008Caution5060519
2009Good2516519
2010Best020519

All Infiniti M35 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2009 Infiniti M35 reliable based on owner complaints?
NHTSA lists only 16 complaints for the 2009 M35, giving it a complaint index of 25, the second-lowest of the 5 model years with data. It carries a Good verdict relative to other M35 years.
What is the biggest problem area for the 2009 Infiniti M35?
Engine complaints make up 31% of all reported issues, the largest share, with a median failure mileage of 20,000 miles.
Does the 2009 Infiniti M35 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2009 M35, covering airbags, engine accelerator pedal sensors, and a TPMS nut replacement. None are do-not-drive recalls.
Which Infiniti M35 model years should be avoided?
According to NHTSA data, the 2006 and 2007 model years are rated Avoid, with complaint indexes of 100 and 75, far higher than the 2009 model's 25.
How does the 2009 M35 compare to the 2010 M35?
The 2010 M35 has a complaint index of 0 and a Best verdict, while the 2009 M35 has a complaint index of 25 and a Good verdict, making 2010 the lower-risk choice.

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.