Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Infiniti I35 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Camshaft sensor according to the Infiniti dealership (Ray Brandt on Causeway in Metairie La.) Is malfunctioning at makes the car engine die while driving. Then when you restart the car the engine revs fine in neutral but once in drive it won't go over 5 mph. Also the timing chain tensioner fails on this car and can cause severe engine damage while the car is being driven. I've looked up both of these problems and have spoken with Nissan and Infiniti and a simple internet search will also confirm that these 2 problems are extremely common on this 5th generation engine. Nissan even lost 2 class action lawsuits on the timing tensioner. Well if Nissan lost 2 court battles over an engine defect that every Nissan internet forum says is a very very common problem then why isn't there a recall. And shouldn't hazing headlights be a safety issue on ALL cars? …
My 2003 infinity I35 stalsl while driving on local roads and busy state highways located in the greater hilton head sc area. It requires coasting to the side of the road, turning the vehicle off. The service engine light turns on. I then can restart the engine and return to my home as soon as I can. I researched the problem and found a recall notice that described my problem. Since discovering the problem, I took it to the dealer and they informed me that my vehicle was not covered by the recall. I have taken it back to them twice now to fix this problem at my expense. The problem has again returned and I don't want to pay a 3rd repair bill to fix a problem that others are getting fixed under the recall ( 03V455000). This is getting expensive, very dangerous, and eliminates the use of my car by my wife. She is afraid to drive it and I understand her fear. …
While driving on the freeway last night during rush hour my car engine just stopped. . The dash lights came on,( slip, TCS,brake,check engine soon, oil and battery). I was able to get to the shoulder safely. Very scared but safe I was in the middle lane. Turned off ignition waited a few and restarted. Took surface street the rest of the way. 3-4 hours it started fine, however while driving back 25 miles on a residential street it happened again. Got it stared and some lights remained on (slip,TCS,check engine soon). Haven't started it today. Going to mechanic on Monday. Only have 65000 miles on the car. I phoned Infiniti consumer affairs and was told my VIN wasn't and is not part of any recall and if it turns out to be the same issue I still have to pay for diagnosis and repairs.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Infiniti I35. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated that there was a complete loss of power. In an attempt to correct the failure, the contact stopped the vehicle, placed it in the park position, and depressed the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the vehicle accelerated. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. Nissan south of union city (4080 jonesboro road, union city, georgia 30291, [phone]) was made aware of the failure and requested a diagnostic be performed on the vehicle. A certified Nissan independent mechanic replaced the alternator, starter, and battery; however, the failure recurred. The failure mileage was approximately 138,500.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Infiniti I35. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V287000 (air bags). While driving 30 MPH, the contact stated that the engine lost power and the vehicle stalled in the middle of traffic. The contact had to make several attempts for the engine to restart. The contact stated that the vehicle displayed symptoms of NHTSA campaign number: 03V455000 (engine and engine cooling), but the VIN was not included. The contact stated that the check engine and s.l.I.p warning indicators illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures and did not assist. The failure mileage was 4,500.
Driving on highway @55mph when engine stopped functioning. Lost power steering and power brakes and careened off the road almost hitting a house. When I went to start the engine it had great difficulty ( took about 30 seconds ) when it finally started the service engine soon, TCS and slip lights were on. Took car to mechanic and was told that the crank angle sensor and cam position sensor is faulty but Nissan and govt. Failed to add the proper VIN numbers to the recall because this is the 30th car he's seen with the exact same problem and he knew immediately what it was when he saw the combination of indicator lights and vehicle problems.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Infiniti I35. While driving 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the camshaft sensor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred multiple times at various speeds. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the camshaft and crankshaft sensor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure continued. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 198,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Infiniti I35. While driving 45 MPH, the service engine and TCS/slip warning indicators illuminated. The engine power reduced and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was restarted and accelerated independently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the cam shaft position circuit failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 03V455000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Infiniti I35. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. A few days prior, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart after two attempts. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the failure was unable to be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 03V455000 (engine and engine cooling). The approximate failure mileage was 139,000.
Tl* the contact own a 2003 Infiniti I35. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehcile decelerated, loss motive power, and stalled with an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, restarted the vehicle and continued driving however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was notified of a camshaft cylinder misfire. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 117,440.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling
On certain passenger vehicles, the circuit board for the crank position sensor or cam position sensor May have an improper solder joint due to solder deformation caused by heat stress accelerated by the existence of flux residue during the soldering process.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the crank position sensors. Camshaft position sensor(s), and in some cases, the variable timing control sensor(s).
Engine complaints in other I35 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2003 Infiniti I35?
NHTSA has 69 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2003 Infiniti I35, 74% of the model year's 93 complaints. The component named most often is engine (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Infiniti I35 engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 03V-455 (engine and engine cooling, Nov 17, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 Infiniti I35 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 101,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
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.