Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Infiniti M35 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owned a 2008 Infiniti M35. The contact stated that while driving approximately 27 MPH, another vehicle making a left turn from the opposite direction failed to yield and crashed into the front driver's side of the vehicle by the front tire location. The contact stated that the under-hood components were pushed to the right side of the vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact did not recall whether warning lights were illuminated. The contact noticed that there was a significant amount of steam coming from under the hood, and the contact turned off the engine. A police report was filed. The contact was transported to the Emergency Room by the daughter's boyfriend. The contact sustained severe, persistent pain from the left hip through the buttock and the knee. The left big toe and three little toes were weak and numb. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Infiniti M35. After slowing the vehicle down, the contact was involved in a front end collision with a motorist traveling on the wrong side of the highway. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. It was not determined whether or not the vehicle was destroyed. A police report was filed. The driver of the other vehicle was injured and transported to the hospital. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage approximately 115,000. Updated 10/18/17 the consumer stated the vehicle was totaled.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 Infiniti M35. The contact stated that NHTSA campaign number: 16V349000 (air bags) exceeded a reasonable amount of time for repair. The contact received the second notification in January of 2017. The dealer (Infiniti of south atlanta 4201 jonesboro rd, union city, ga, 30291) stated that the parts were available; however, they experienced issues with the dashboard fracturing due to the remedy. The dealer was waiting on dashboards before repairing the passenger side air bag inflator. The manufacturer was not contacted. In addition, the contact stated that the fuel tank nozzle continued to click off when the fuel tank was half full. Per the manufacturer, the contact received a warranty letter for the failure and a sticker. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. …
The passenger seat occupancy sensor (ocs) mat is not working properly (code b1018) and is causing the passenger side air bags to be turned off. Infiniti has quoted me $3,250 to correct the problem which requires the replacement of the entire front passenger lower seat assembly (1\2 of a seat for $3,250 !!!). After repeated attempts to Infiniti USA, and the president of Infiniti worldwide - roland krger, infinit has said no to providing me any financial assistance to correct this problem. Along with the non functioning air bag, my well cared for car has rust forming on the header just above the windshield. I am writing to advise on the fault design and\or manufacture of the ocs and of Infiniti's unwillingness to provide a reasonably priced repair. I will never buy another Infiniti or Nissan product again, and suggest you do not.
This complaint is related to NHTSA recall 16v-349 for passenger side airbags. This recall was initiated in early summer of 2016 and I received a letter from infinity about the recall in August of 2016. I was given an original time frame of sept to oct 2016 for completion of repairs on my car. Now infinity is estimating it will be late nov. 2016 or later before parts are available. In the meantime I have a car where you can't use the front passenger seat. And since the possibility of injury or death is that great of a risk, how can anyone be safe on the passenger side of the car front or back. Allowing the manufacturer (infinity) to push these repairs out this long without due consideration and compensation to the customers is totally unreasonable. Why isn't NHTSA holding infinity more accountable in this matter?
The passenger dashboard on my Infiniti is cracking and Infiniti will not warranty part. The crack is occurring over the passenger airbag and I am concerned for the safety and security of my family. Resolution has been unsuccessful and I feel that Infiniti has sold me an inferior produce even if out of warranty. The year of the vehicle is 2008, and there should not be these kinds of deterioration of materials. The lack of customer satisfaction and consideration of the safety of the occupants is unacceptable.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Infiniti M35. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V349000 (air bags) however, the dealer refused to perform the repair. The contact stated this was due to their refusal to sign a waiver absolving the technician of any liability of damages caused by them for attempting to perform the repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Part distribution disconnect. The VIN was not available.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 Infiniti M35. The contact received an interim recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 16V349000 (air bags) more than eight weeks ago. It was unknown when the manufacturer would send the second notice to confirm that the parts were available. The contact was uncertain as to when the vehicle would be repaired by a dealer. The manufacturer was not notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 Infiniti M35. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V349000 (air bags) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 Infiniti M35. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V349000 (air bags); however, the part needed to repair the vehicle was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Related recalls
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.
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.
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.
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.
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,…
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.
NHTSA investigations
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
Airbag complaints in other M35 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2008 Infiniti M35?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the air bags of the 2008 Infiniti M35, 33% of the model year's 60 complaints. The component named most often is side/window (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Infiniti M35 airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 20V-008 (inflator module, Jan 9, 2020); NHTSA recall 17V-028 (inflator module, Jan 10, 2017); NHTSA recall 16V-349 (inflator module, May 24, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 Infiniti M35 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 120,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to air bags 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.