RoadVitals

2012 INFINITI FX35 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
14
Latest May 19, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
7
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2012 INFINITI FX35, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Engine426.7%
  • Electrical320.0%
  • Airbags320.0%
  • Visibility213.3%
  • Body & structure16.7%
  • Fuel system16.7%
  • Powertrain (other)16.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

This engine uses a metal timing chain inside the engine. Infinit chose to use plastic guides and tensors to keep the chain in place and not wear stretch. This choice of PLASTIC results in the eventual failure of the components that are needed to keep the chain in place. First signs of impending failure is a rattle inside the engine. Eventual the chain will break loose and destroy the engine. The parts themselves can be purchased at any auto parts store for under $50.00, however labor is in the thousands or engine complete failure. A simple search of the internet will show that nearly all owners experience this. Most opting to sell the vehicle or chance failure does not occur. My mechanic has confirmed and I will go to an Infiniti dealer if need be.

NHTSA ID 11738759 · filed May 19, 2026

The contact owns a 2012 Infiniti FX35. The contact stated that on several occasions, while the vehicle was started, there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.

NHTSA ID 11675274 · filed Jul 22, 2025

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2012 Infiniti FX35. The contact stated while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle failed to shift gears properly. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the PCM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired however, the repair was pending. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID 11424834 · filed Jul 14, 2021

I REPORTED MY VEHICLE IS A WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. I TOOK IT IN FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED ME THAT NO CODES WERE DETECTED; HOWEVER BELIEVES IT IS THE ALTERNATOR. THE CAR HAS 39K MILES. AS A PREVIOUS OWNER OF A 2011 INFINITI, I BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT AS I AM THE SECOND OWNER AND DRIVEN IT FOR LESS THAN 6K. I INITIATED A CLAIM WITH NALLEY CONSUMER AFFAIRS TO NO AVAIL; THE REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT THERE IS NO LISTING OF WHAT IS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. CLAIM # 28141832. I HAVE REQUESTED THAT THE REGIONAL MANAGER CONTACT ME.

NHTSA ID 11019091 · filed Aug 23, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TAKATA RECALL NEEDED ON INFINITI FX35 2012. I WAS IN MOTION, DRIVING 75 MPH ON THE FREEWAY. A PIECE OF DEBRIS BOUNCED OFF OF A CAR IN MY LEFT LANE AND FLEW UNDERNEATH MY CAR. BANG! MY AIRBAGS EJECTED AND SLAMMED MY FACE HARD. MY WHOLE FRONT WINDSHIELD BLEW WHITE. I COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING IN FRONT OF ME. TRYING TO PUSH THE AIRBAG DOWN WITH ONE HAND, WHILE STEERING WITH THE OTHER HAND AT THE SAME TIME, I WAS ESSENTIALLY DRIVING BLIND ON THE FREEWAY WITH SPEEDING CARS ALL AROUND ME. ON TOP OF THAT I COULDN'T MOVE, BECAUSE THE SEATBELTS LOCKED ME. IT'S A WONDER I DIDN'T SLAM ON THE BREAKS, OR SWERVE INTO THE OTHER LANES, A PERFECTLY NATURAL REACTION. I USED MY PERIPHERAL VISION TO MOVE INTO THE SLOWER LANES TO THE RIGHT OF ME. THE LAST LANE ENDED UP BEING THE EXIT LANE. WHEN THE FOUR OF US GOT OUT TO EXAMINE WHAT WE THOUGHT WOULD BE A HUGE DENT, WE WERE SHOCKED. THE CAR LOOKED PERFECT. NO COLLISION. NO DAMAGE. IT WAS THE AIRBAGS. HAD WE BEEN INJURED OR WORSE YET, KILLED IN A CRASH THAT DAY (NOT TO MENTION ALL THE PEOPLE IN THE SURROUNDING CARS) WE WOULD NEVER HAVE ASCERTAINED THAT IT WAS AS A RESULT OF THE FAULTY AIRBAG SENSOR. IT HAPPENED SO QUICKLY THAT I WOULD NOT HAVE KNOWN WHAT HAD COME FIRST - THE ACCIDENT OR THE AIRBAGS.

NHTSA ID 11120141 · filed Aug 15, 2018

TAKATA RECALL. I WAS DRIVING MY FX35 2012 INFINITI AND THE AIRBAG SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED AND EXPLODED. I DID NOT HIT ANY CAR OR OBJECT, THIS WAS NOT DUE TO AN ACCIDENT.... JUST A DEPLOYMENT. IT WAS A LARGE BOOM, LOUD EXPLOSION, SMELL OF A STRONG GUN POWDER ODOR THAT BURNS YOUR EYES. THE AIRBAG WAS TORN. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS HAPPENED AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN A SUBURB STREET, NO MORE THAN 35 MPH. I STOPPED THE CAR RIGHT IN THE LANE AS I WAS IN SHOCK ....SEEING NO OBSTRUCTION I PULLED INTO THE GAS STATION A FEW YARDS UP. LOUD

NHTSA ID 11101285 · filed Jun 11, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

INFINITI FX35 2012 DASHBOARD IS FALLING APART IN PIECES. VEHICLE HAS 69,000 MILES ON IT. THE DASHBOARD SEEMS TO BE MELTING AS IT HAS BECOME STICKY AND THE REFLECTION IS BLINDING ME IN THE WINDSHIELD WHEN I DRIVE. THE ISSUE HAS PROGRESSED TO CRACKS EVERYWHERE AND INFINITI IS REFUSING TO SERVICE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE! I AM BLINDED EVERY TIME I DRIVE. PICTURES OF CRACKS PROVIDED. THE REFLECTION PICTURE IS HARD TO TAKE.

NHTSA ID 11216988 · filed May 30, 2019

INCIDENT HAPPENED ABOUT 9AM WITH TEMPERATURES IN LOW 30SF. AS I WAS PULLING OUT OF PARKING LOT,I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE GLASS TINKERING. IT GOT COLDER/MORE WINDY IN CAR & MORE LIGHT COMING FROM MOONROOF AREA. ABOUT 1/2MILE LATER AS I MAKE LEFT TURN I NOTICED WHAT LOOKED LIKE SMALL DARK CRYSTALS FLYING OFF TOP OF TRUNK AREA. I PULLED OVER, GOT & CHECKED BACK OF CAR. WHEN I WENT TO FRONT OF CAR, I ALSO DIDN'T NOTICE ANY DAMAGE. I GOT BACK IN CAR & OPENED COVERING FOR MOONROOF. I SAW BIG HOLE & WHAT WAS LEFT OF GLASS WAS ALL SHATTERED. I TOOK PICTURES FROM INSIDE & TRIED TO TAKE PICTURES FROM OUTSIDE. I CALLED CAR DEALERSHIP, WHO SAID THEY NEVER HEARD OF ANY SUCH INCIDENT & SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. LATER I INQUIRED ABOUT EXTRA COVERAGE FOR TIRE,WHEEL & GLASS I BOUGHT BUT WAS TOLD MOONROOF WAS NOT INCLUDED. *TR

NHTSA ID 10554080 · filed Nov 28, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

INFINITI FX35 2012 DASHBOARD IS FALLING APART IN PIECES. VEHICLE HAS 69,000 MILES ON IT. THE DASHBOARD SEEMS TO BE MELTING AS IT HAS BECOME STICKY AND THE REFLECTION IS BLINDING ME IN THE WINDSHIELD WHEN I DRIVE. THE ISSUE HAS PROGRESSED TO CRACKS EVERYWHERE AND INFINITI IS REFUSING TO SERVICE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE! I AM BLINDED EVERY TIME I DRIVE. PICTURES OF CRACKS PROVIDED. THE REFLECTION PICTURE IS HARD TO TAKE.

NHTSA ID 11216988 · filed May 30, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

MY 2012 INFINITI FX-35 FUEL GAUGE STOPPED REGISTERING FUEL LEVELS ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO, AND THE WARRANTY EXPIRED THREE MONTHS AGO. I NOTICED THE ISSUE WHEN STARTING THE CAR IN MY GARAGE. I CONTACTED THE INFINITI DEALER, AND THEY MENTIONED THAT I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR WHICH WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE PROBLEM ACTUALLY INVOLVES THE FUEL SENDING UNITS, NISSAN PN 25060-1CB0C AND 25060-1CB1C, WHICH RETAIL AT APPROXIMATELY $130.00 EACH. PARTS AND LABOR ARE IN EXCESS OF $600.00. I LOOKED UP SOME PAST NHTSA BULLETINS INVOLVING NISSAN FUEL SENDING UNITS AND FOUND THE FOLLOWING NHTSA BULLETINS: 10V-074, 10V-075. ALL NISSAN VEHICLES, INCLUDING INFINITI, UTILIZE THE SAME DESIGN FOR THEIR FUEL SENDING UNITS, WHICH INVOLVE A FLOATING ARM WITH CONTACTS THAT SWEEP ACROSS A CONTACT ARRAY TO REGISTER E-F. I CONTACTED INFINITI CUSTOMER CARE WHO INFORMED ME THAT THEY COULD NOT OFFER ANY COMPENSATION TOWARD FIXING THE PROBLEM. I THEN LOCATED A YOUTUBE VIDEO THAT SHOWED THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE CONTACT ARRAY THAT BECOMES OXIDIZED AFTER A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME. I THEN FIXED MY PROBLEM BY REMOVING BOTH FUEL SENDING UNITS FROM THE GAS TANK, AND CLEANING THE CONTACT ARRAY ON EACH USING A COTTON SWAB. THIS IS CLEARLY A FAULTY DESIGN, AND NISSAN SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL FOR ALL MAKES/MODELS....01/04/17 *BF *TR

NHTSA ID 10909638 · filed Sep 26, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I REPORTED MY VEHICLE IS A WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. I TOOK IT IN FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED ME THAT NO CODES WERE DETECTED; HOWEVER BELIEVES IT IS THE ALTERNATOR. THE CAR HAS 39K MILES. AS A PREVIOUS OWNER OF A 2011 INFINITI, I BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT AS I AM THE SECOND OWNER AND DRIVEN IT FOR LESS THAN 6K. I INITIATED A CLAIM WITH NALLEY CONSUMER AFFAIRS TO NO AVAIL; THE REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT THERE IS NO LISTING OF WHAT IS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. CLAIM # 28141832. I HAVE REQUESTED THAT THE REGIONAL MANAGER CONTACT ME.

NHTSA ID 11019091 · filed Aug 23, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .