The Lemon Index
20041st generation
About average · most complaints: brakes
Fewest complaints of its generation (1st generation).
21 owner complaints, first 3 years 17 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2003 Lincoln Aviator 1292003 Lincoln Navigator 1742003 Volvo XC90
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 15 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 21V139000 (airbags), 20V008000 (airbags) and 16V349000 (airbags) done? It has 10 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- NHTSA has an open investigation into desiccated air bag inflator rupture. Has this car had that problem?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Do the seats adjust, heat and lock in place properly?
- Infiniti sent dealers 90 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “5 speed a/t dtc diagnoses for p1701, p1702, p1703, p1704, p1705, p1754, p1759, p1764, p1769,…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Infiniti's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 21 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 0K to 16K miles (1K to 26K km) on the car (15 of all 21 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Front axle and differential have been seperated 3 times. Also power steering has failed.
2003 Infiniti FX35 owner · NHTSA complaint 10095926
More owner reports
The child was able to move the gear from park without the consumer being present to step on the brakes or without the key being in the vehicle. The manufacture states the vehicle is designed as such.
NHTSA complaint 10119008
Recall to tighten torque of front brake caliper mounting folds.
NHTSA complaint 10099692
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 5.3M views · 2003–2008 Infiniti FX35
- Infotainment, battery & electrical186K views
2004 Infiniti FX35 Custom Radio InstallAvenueSound Li · 107K views · 5 videos - Intake, EGR & engine sensors163K views
Infiniti FX35 camshaft position sensor replace 2003 to 2008 p0340Fix it Felix · 152K views · 2 videos - Oil changes & service109K views
2004 Infiniti FX35 FX45 oil service reset tire pressure warning resetarmand salloum · 104K views · 2 videos - Timing chain & engine66K views
Diagnosing engine noise and replacing the belts on a 2008 Infiniti FX35Jimthecarguy · 51K views · 3 videos
Show 4 more
- No-start: theft light, key & ignition63K views
2008 INFINITI FX35 NO CRANK NO START VIDEO DIY...CLICKS...FIXED...Peter L · 33K views · 2 videos - Windows, doors & mirrors54K views
Infiniti 2008+ EX35 FX35 FX50 QX50 QX56 QX60 QX70 QX80 How to Install Door HandleJasmineFatherGarage4k · 33K views · 2 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door47K views
How to Replace Cabin Air Filter 2008 Infiniti FX35 | AQ1087Filterheads · 38K views · 2 videos - Steering & suspension40K views
How to Replace Front Wheel Bearing & Hub Assemblies 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35TRQ · 17K views · 5 videos
Before you buy, watch
2005 fx35 problemsNick · 4K views
2003 FX45 (Part 2). Back to normal like nothing happened. Is anyone else having problems like this.Terry Lee Horne Jr · 327 views
2006 Infinity FX35 AWD Review. How is it holding up over the yearsPaul's Take · 105K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2003 is the same generation.
Problems Infiniti told dealers about
Infiniti sent dealers 90 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- 5 speed a/t dtc diagnoses for p1701, p1702, p1703, p1704, p1705, p1754, p1759, p1764, p1769,…
- Driver's seat squeak/creak noise
- Pop or tick noise from front door window glass
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 10
- Airbags · recall issued 2021
The air bag cushion was folded incorrectly, which could increase internal pressure and tear the air bag cushion during deployment.
- Airbags · recall issued 2020
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.
- Airbags · recall issued 2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Show all 10 recalls
- Airbags · recall issued 2015
Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
- Airbags · recall issued 2015
Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the U.S.
- Lights · recall issued 2006
DURING A CANADIAN COMPLIANCE TEST, CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, 'LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.' THE HEADLAMP…
- Lights · recall issued 2006
DURING A CANADIAN COMPLIANCE TEST, CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAILED TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, 'LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.' A REAR COM…
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2005
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FUEL FILLER HOSE MAY CRACK AND RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE HOSE WHILE REFUELING.
- Brakes · recall issued 2003
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER MOUNTING BOLTS MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY TIGHTENED.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2003
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE BOLTS WHICH ATTACH THE PROPELLER SHAFT(S) TO THE TRANSAXLE AND DIFFERENTIAL(S) MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ADEQUATELY TIGHTENED.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Infiniti FX35 recall, all years · All Infiniti recalls
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- OpenAir bag inflator rupture2015
- ClosedAir bag inflator rupture2014–2015
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,550 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl.
Every Infiniti FX35 year. 2003 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Show 1 older years (2006–2006, YouTube reviews only, no complaint data)
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 7 Infiniti FX35 years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2003 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/infiniti-fx35/?y=2003" title="Infiniti FX35 reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="261" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/infiniti-fx35/2003/">Lemon Index</a> (2003 Infiniti FX35 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2003 Infiniti FX35 reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 93; 100 is average, lower is better).
What are the most common 2003 Infiniti FX35 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (24%), transmission & drivetrain (24%) and seats (19%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2003 Infiniti FX35 have?
10 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Infiniti FX35 get?
17 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2003 Infiniti FX35 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 24% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2003 Infiniti FX35 cost in fuel a year?
About $3,550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2003 Infiniti FX35 have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
Is there a better Infiniti FX35 year than the 2003?
Not nearby: the 2003 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Infiniti FX35 years within 3 model years of it.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works