Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Infiniti G35 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I was driving my car and heard a loud sound and then my airbags went off. I lost control on my steering and was able to coast the car to shoulder. The airbags deployed even though there was no collision with another car. Under further inspecting it looks as if all the bolts came loose on the drive Trane. I have no idea why the airbags went off. I did sustain an minor injury to my hand. police were called, fire trucks checked for possible fire hazards. I looked for recalls and or air bag malfuctions for this year make and model but did not find any. Had I not been in the far right lane I could have been in a serious accident. The airbags deploying scared me. Both the driver and passenger side airbags went off. I was the only one in the vehicle.
Reporting a sudden acceleration. Came to a stop (traffic light)suddenly the engine roared and the car took off with full speed. Hit a van at the drivers side backwheel area.the car was totalled. The insurance co.(21st century) hired an engineer who did not find any fault with the engine..this happened 2 times before.I complained to the dealer they could not duplicate the problem either before. Looked on the internet .several drivers had the same terrible experience. (allworldauto.com /2004infiniti G35 user comments/complaint) I am reporting this before someone will die.
Window goes down on its on when try to put it up just comes right down alarm goes on but dnt lock doors dash light cuts off at times when I accelerate vehicle starts off fine 2 seconds later feels like it locks up and just gets sluggish starts running fine come to complete starts and takes off slow lights come on dash vehicle won't start I pull key out ignition put back and starts up fine.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Infiniti G35. While driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle jerked and stalled. The vehicle was able to restart. In addition, the anti-slip, check engine, and vdc warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,000.
2004 with approx. 7,200 miles. Rattling noise heard in 1st and 2nd gear. Dealer said it needed new tranny. Replaced tranny. Picked up car and while driving home, could not get it into 5th or 6th gear. Back to dealer. Was told that tranny was bad and had to be replaced again. Picked up car and within a week heard a knocking noise in 5th gear, vibration in stick shift and a clanking noise when applying the brakes for the first time after car sitting for a bit. Later found out that dealer lied about installing the 2nd transmission. Dealer refuses to tell me or give me paper work stating what was done on car the 2nd time they had. Infiniti consumer affairs and regional manager have not proven to be out for consumers interest. In fact, they call lying about the 2nd tranny a "mistake". …
2004 Infiniti G35 lost power when driving. Service engine soon light as well as vdc lights are on. It is hesitant to start after that. Has happened at least one time each during the last three times the car was driven. Major safety issue as the it has happened when turning at a major intersection. Luckily we were able to coast the car to the side of the road. Same issue exist on the 2003 G35 in which there was a recall for, but none exists for the 2004 models. Contacted infinit in which I was told there was no active campaigns for my model, except for the side airbags. Was told that this would be treated as a repair (subject to very high dealer costs) and not a recall. I have found many other post on the internet with the same issue for the same model and the same complaint that it is not addressed by Infiniti. …
This complaint is in regards to the 6 speed manual transmission. I have had the car several months and have noticed a rattle/grinding noise eminating from the transmission while the car is stopped and idling. The car must be warmed up and have been driven in stop and go traffic for approximately 15 minutes in order to hear the noise. When I depress the clutch pedal, the noise stops. I understand this is an issue with the "throw out" bearing in the manual transmission that has apparently been resolved in the 2005 model. In addition to the noise while idling, I have noticed a "clunk" sound when shifting into and out of first gear. The noise is getting worse, but is currently tollerable. The noise while idling is not tollerable.
There was no crash or resulting injuries--but having a clutch which sticks May eventually lead to a catastrophic incident. The dealership addressed the problem at 50,000 miles, but it has since returned. There are many G35-devoted websites and blogs where G35 owners complain about the same problem, but it does not appear they have followed up by filing a complaint. Many owners report the same sticky clutch problem at various speeds. For me, it's happening at any speed whether it is slow or fast. Infiniti claims this requires a new clutch--given that the owners have had their problems at various points of mileage, I am not convinced this is related to the clutch itself. Thanks very much.
Several times when driving my 2004 Infiniti g35x, the car will accelerate when I downshift in the "tiptronic" mode from 3rd to 2nd or from 2nd to 1st. Although this has not caused an accident, I wanted to provide this information to you as I am not sure if this is the way the car is intended to operate. This condition would potentially cause an accident at an low speed (30 miles per hour or less) where the driver was not expecting the car would "lunge" forward when downshifting with a tiptronic transmission
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Infiniti G35. The contact stated that while traveling 35 MPH, the vehicle lost all power with the illumination of the check engine and traction control warning lights. The engine was still running but the vehicle would not accelerate. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or repaired. The failure and the current mileages were 54,000.
Transmission complaints in other G35 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2004 Infiniti G35?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2004 Infiniti G35, 9% of the model year's 244 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Infiniti G35 transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2004 Infiniti G35, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2004 Infiniti G35 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 9,000 miles, and 64% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.