2012 INFINITI M37 Owner Complaints

The front passenger airbag warning light came on with a dash warning flashing light. I isolated the fault to the passenger seat weight sensor, which prevents the airbag from deploying when a passenger of less than 90 pounds is sensed in the front seat. The time from the onset of the warning light to discovery of the actual fault was less than a week and this was facilitated by a mechanic with a sophisticated enough OBD reader to flesh out Infiniti codes. I called my local Infiniti dealer in Tacoma, WA and they were able to supply a part number but it has been discontinued for the 2011-2013 Infiniti M37 models. Without this sensor working, the passenger airbag may not deploy in the event of a collision, and that is unsatisfactory/downright unacceptable. These cars will operate for 20 plus years and are otherwise engineered to last 200/000 miles. I have 90,000 miles on the odometer and the car is otherwise in great shape, but I may be forced to scrap it if I can't resolve the weight sensor malfunction.

NHTSA ID

11711442

Incident

Jan 12, 2026

The contact owns a 2012 Infiniti M37. The contact stated that the front passenger's side air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was quoted a diagnostic fee and declined to pay the fee. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.

NHTSA ID

11593625

Incident

Apr 11, 2023

Mileage

68,000 mi

The contact owns a 2012 Infiniti M37. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to an independent mechanic for an oil change, she was informed that the radiator pressure O-ring was leaking coolant. The independent mechanic diagnosed that the radiator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 96,294.

NHTSA ID

11499969

Incident

Dec 31, 2022

Mileage

96,294 mi

Passenger Air Bag Sensor Failed. Concerned Passenger Airbag will not deploy when passengers are in the car. This is a Very Known and Problematic issue with Infiniti and Infiniti will not address this critical safety issue. Infiniti says repairs would be the owner responsibility and cost in excess of $8,000. This is a critical safety issue and needs to be addressed by Infiniti before someone gets hurt.

NHTSA ID

11479314

Incident

Mar 17, 2022

airbag light blinks. We tried the reset and it worked until someone sat in the seat. Called dealer and they said the seat bottom needs replacing as it’s a occupancy sensor. Cost for part + labor = 5K .. Totally outrageous. safety issue

NHTSA ID

11436513

Incident

Oct 1, 2021

When the steering wheel is adjusted up, down or the telescopic adjustment is used a loud pop is heard, the casing comes apart and it is no longer possible to turn the wheel left or right.

NHTSA ID

11421979

Incident

Feb 11, 2020

WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS ADJUSTED TO A NORMAL SETTING THE CASING POPS AND IT BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE WHEEL.

NHTSA ID

11386304

Incident

Nov 11, 2019

Mileage

70,121 mi

THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT WENT ON IN MY 2012 INFINITI M-37 UPON STARTING IT THE MORNING OF 10/09/2020. I BROUGHT IT INTO MY LOCAL TAMPA INFINITI DEALERSHIP ON 10/21/2020 WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR AND HAVE HAD OVER 90% OF THE SERVICING COMPLETED. MY SERVICE ADVISOR MICHAEL ENGLISH EXPLAINED TO ME THAT IT WOULD COST OVER $7104 TO REPLACE THE BOTTOM OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. IN ADDITION A DIAGNOSTIC SENSOR WOULD LIKELY NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $450. HE ALSO TOLD ME THAT THIS PROBLEM IS ONE THAT OCCURS IN A NUMBER OF INFINITI AUTOMOBILES OF THIS TYPE. HE WAS SORRY THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED BY ANY WARRANTY AND THAT IT DIDN'T SEEM FAIR THAT A RECALL WASN'T AVAILABLE TO REMEDY THE SAFETY PROBLEM. MY CAR HAS ONLY 120,000 MILES ON IT AND RUNS VERY WELL AND IS WORTH ABOUT $8000 AS A TRADE IN BUT NOT WITH A FAULTY PASSENGER SEAT SAFETY HAZARD. I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX THIS PROBLEM THAT COST NEARLY AS MUCH THE CAR IS WORTH. HOW COULD INFINITI MAKE OR DESIGN A SEAT WITH AIR BAG SENSORS THAT CANT BE REPAIRED WITHOUT HAVING TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE SEAT? THIS IS THE RESULT OF POOR ENGINEERING AND IS A PRODUCT SAFETY HAZARD FORCING MANY CONSUMERS TO CHOOSE BETWEEN HAVING SAFETY EQUIPMENT OR DOING WITHOUT BECAUSE OF THE HIGH EXPENSE TO REPAIR. I'VE NEVER HAD AN ACCIDENT TO DEPLOY THE AIRBAGS AND MY CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGE KEPT AND PROPERLY MAINTAINED. THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND THERE SHOULD BE A REMEDY FOR ALL THOSE OWNERS OF THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. I HAVE NOTICED THERE ARE MANY OWNERS OF SIMILAR INFINITI VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID

11376775

Incident

Oct 9, 2020

I NOTICE WHEN I BROUGHT THIS CAR AT 47,000 MILES USED THE CAR WAS LACK OF POWER AND HESITATED TO GO WHEN TRYING TO PASS OTHER CAR ..I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST SOFTWARE PROBLEMS BUT IT HAPPENED THE 2ND TIME , BUT THIS TIME ALMOST COST THE ACCIDENT,WHEN I WAS GOING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN THE HESITATED FOR ABOUT 6TO9SECOND DELAY BEFOR IT TAKE OFF WAS CLOSE OF OTHER CAR HITTING ME

NHTSA ID

11362297

Incident

Oct 15, 2018

Mileage

53,000 mi

PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR HAS FAILED AND THE DEALER HAS QUOTED ME A PRICE OF $7019 TO REPAIR IT, SAYING THE SEAT HAS TO BE REPLACED. THE COST IS EXORBITANT, AND APPROACHES TO HE TOTAL VALUE OF THE CAR. THIS IS A DEFECT OF THE PART AND THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS THAT CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BARE.

NHTSA ID

11340954

Incident

Jul 22, 2020

Mileage

45,000 mi

AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON. I WAS TOLD BY DEALERSHIP THAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR ON PASSENGER SEAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED WHICH COST AROUND $5500. *TR

NHTSA ID

11328083

Incident

Jun 1, 2020

PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIRBAG SENSOR TURNS OFF AIRBAG WHEN AN ADULT IS SEATED THERE. THIS OCCURS ALMOST EVERY TIME I HAVE A PASSENGER IN THAT SEAT. I CAN OCCASIONALLY GET IT TO TURN AIRBAG ON BY SHUTTING CAR OFF AND RESTARTING, SOMETIMES IT TAKES 3 CYCLES OF OFF/ON. MOST TIMES IT STILL WON'T RESET AND MY PASSENGER HAS TO MOVE TO A REAR SEAT. THIS HAPPENS EVEN WITH A 200 LB. MAN SEATED THERE. THIS IS MY 4TH INFINITI AND THEY'VE ALL HAD THIS ISSUE. INFINITI SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND MAKE NEEDED REPAIRS TO THE AIRBAG SENSOR

NHTSA ID

11181254

Incident

Feb 19, 2019

Mileage

108,000 mi

I PURCHASED MY CAR USED WITH APROX 45,000. MILES ON THE ODOMETER, I TEST DROVE IT & IT RAN & HANDLED PERFECT. AS SOON AS I TOOK THE CAR HOME I BROUGHT IT TO MY MECHANIC TO CHECK IT OUT, I GOT THE OIL & FILTERS CHANGED & CAR INSPECTION, ALL WAS GOOD. I OWNED THE CAR FOR 3 YEARS & MAINTAINED IT REGULARLY. ONE MORNING I STARTED IT UP & IT STARTED POPPING & JUMPING (THE DAY BEFORE IT HAD RUN PERFECTLY) & MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS FLASHING. AT THIS TIME THERE WAS APPROX 65,000. MILES ON THE ODOMETER, THERE WAS LESS THAN 1000 MILES SINCE MY LAST OIL CHANGE. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC & THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NO OIL IN IT..THE OIL WAS COMPLETELY GONE. THERE WAS NO OIL SPOTS IN MY DRIVEWAY AT ALL WE COULDN'T UNDERSTAND WHERE THE OIL COULD HAVE GONE IN LESS THAN 1000 MILES SINCE MY LAST OIL CHANGE. THE MECHANICS FILLED IT WITH OIL, I DROVE IT ONLY LOCALLY A FEW WEEKS & WHEN I CHECKED IT AGAIN THE OIL WAS GONE..WITH NO OIL STAINS IN MY DRIVEWAY. I CALLED INFINITY, THEY TOWED IT TO INFINITY DEALERSHIP IN NJ, THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT WAS DUE TO NEGLECTING TO HAVE THE OIL CHANGED & I NEEDED A NEW MOTOR WHICH COST APPROX $12,000. I TOLD THEM I HAVE RECEIPTS OF THE OIL CHANGES & THEY SAID THEN IT WAS NEGLECTED PRIOR TO MY OWNING IT WHICH I CANNOT UNDERSTAND HOW THAT COULD BE AFTER OWNING THE CAR FOR OVER 3 YEARS WITHOUT A PROBLEM, THEY THEN ACCUSED ME OF NEGLECTING THE CAR BECAUSE I DIDN'T BRING IT TO THEM FOR MAINTENANCE. NO ONE I SPOKE TO CAN UNDERSTAND HOW IT COULD RUN COMPLETELY OUT OF OIL IN LESS THAN 1000 MILES & IT DIDN'T START RUNNING BAD GRADUALLY IT LITERALLY HAPPENED OVERNIGHT. ONE MECHANICS I SPOKE TO SAID IT MAY BE A DEFECT TO LOOK UP RECALLS, I SAW A SIMILAR ISSUE ON SOME MODEL INFINITIES BUT MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I NOW HAVE LESS THAN 69,000. MILES ON AN INFINITY WHICH NEEDS A NEW MOTOR THAT COSTS MORE THAN THE CAR VALUE.

NHTSA ID

11171140

Incident

Jun 1, 2018

Mileage

65,000 mi

2 DAYS AGO I WAS LEAVING THE MARKET & MY CAR WON'T START EVERY LIGHT FROM ENGINE , BRAKES, ELECTRICAL COME ON. I WAITED 15 MINUTES @ IT STARTED. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 7 TIMES. I HAVE MAY SERVICED ON A REGULAR BASIS. I'VE MENTIONED IT TO MY DEALER, I THOUGHT IT COULD BE MY BATTERY, IT WAS NOT. THE SAID THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON. I'VE HAD TO CALL FAMILY TO COME & GET SEVERAL TIMES. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY EACH TIME.

NHTSA ID

11144828

Incident

Oct 28, 2018

Mileage

65,000 mi

I'D LIKE TO REPORT A PROBLEM THAT HAS OCCURRED WITH MY 2012 INFINITI M37 WHICH SEEMS TO BE PRETTY FATAL. THE PLASTIC COVER THAT COVERS THE STEERING WHEEL'S ROD CRACKS OPEN WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TILTED TO A LOWER POSITION. ONCE THE COVER IS CRACKED, STEERING WHEEL RUBS ON TO THE PLASTIC BEHIND IT AND MAKES THE STEERING WHEEL NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. IF SOMEONE FACED THIS ISSUE BY CHANGING THEIR STEERING WHEEL POSITION WHILE DRIVING, IT WILL SURELY LEAD TO A FATAL ACCIDENT. THIS ISSUE SEEMS TO HAPPEN TO OTHER VEHICLES AS WELL ACCORDING TO THE FORUM LINK ATTACHED: HTTP://FORUMS.NICOCLUB.COM/STEERING-WHEEL-RUBBING-PLASTIC-HOUSING-T609452.HTML I HAVE TRIED TO CONTACT INFINITI REGARDING THIS ISSUE AND THE ANSWER I RECEIVED WAS THAT THERE'S NOTHING THEY COULD DO SINCE I AM OUT OF WARRANTY. HOWEVER, THAT PART OF THE VEHICLE IS BARELY USED NOR TOUCHED WHICH MAKES THIS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT BUT NO ONE WANTS TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS. SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY RELATED ISSUE I'D LIKE TO ASK NHTSA TO GET INVOLVED AND HELP US OUT ON THIS MATTER. THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND I WILL AWAIT FOR YOUR RESPONSE.

NHTSA ID

11102883

Incident

Mar 7, 2018

Mileage

100,000 mi

TOTAL LACK OF ACCELERATION WHEN PASSING. THERE IS A 2-3 SECOND DELAY PRIOR TO THE DOWNSHIFT AND I'M NEVER SURE WHEN THE ACCELERATION WILL TAKE PLACE. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS FROM 50MPH AND UP. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR AND IT HAS NOT CHANGED OVER TIME. INFINITY REPROGRAMMED THE ECM AND NO IMPROVEMENT WAS NOTED. I GAVE UP ON THEIR SERVICE SUPPORT. THANKS

NHTSA ID

11076011

Incident

May 1, 2014

Mileage

18,000 mi

WHEN ENTERING & EXITING THE CAR THE STEERING WHEEL WILL ADJUST. WE STARTED NOTICING A NOISE AND THEN IT MADE A LOUD POP. I NOTICED THAT THE PLASTIC HOUSING AROUND THE COLUMN WAS IN A BIND. I MOVED THE STEERING WHEEL UP TO BE ABLE TO STEER. THIS IS RIDICULOUS ON THIS TYPE OF CAR. I'VE READ MANY COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND NOT THERE IS NO RECALL??? IS THERE A RECALL OR NOT? CAN THIS BE FIXED REASONABLY?

NHTSA ID

11024529

Incident

Sep 18, 2017

Mileage

100,000 mi

PLASTIC SURROUNDING STREAMING COLUMN SEPARATED. STEARING WILL NOT TURN ALL THE WAY AND THE PLASTIC IS RUBBING AGAINST EACH OTHER MAKING A NOISE WHILE TRYING TO TURN OR ANY STEARING.

NHTSA ID

10966616

Incident

Mar 16, 2017

Mileage

53,063 mi

FAILURE OF THE TELESCOPIC STEERING COLUMN. A BROKEN LIMITER CAUSED THE TILT MOTOR TO EXERT BEYOND IT'S THRESHOLD CAUSING FAILURE DURING ENTRY/EXIT AUTOMATIC OPERATION. STEERING WHEEL NOW RUBS ON PLASTIC TRIM PIECES. REGARDLESS OF WHAT INFINITI CLAIMS, THERE HAVE BEEN MANY OTHERS WITH SAME ISSUE: HTTP://FORUMS.NICOCLUB.COM/STEERING-WHEEL-WON-T-TURN-UNLESS-COLUMN-TILTED-UP-T611149.HTML HTTP://FORUMS.NICOCLUB.COM/STEERING-WHEEL-RUBBING-PLASTIC-HOUSING-T609452.HTML HTTP://FORUMS.NICOCLUB.COM/STEERING-COLUMN-SHROUD-POPPING-UP-T610716.HTML HTTP://FORUMS.NICOCLUB.COM/STEERING-WHEEL-SOUNDS-LIKE-A-MICE-WHEEL-T610742.HTML HTTP://FORUMS.NICOCLUB.COM/STEERING-WHEEL-POWER-TILT-MALFUNCTION-11-M37X-T600860.HTML

NHTSA ID

10919338

Incident

Oct 24, 2016

Mileage

50,000 mi

DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS KEEP FAILING. THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS ON ALL FOUR DOORS HAVE FAILED AND HAVE BEEN REPLACED. WHEN THEY FAIL, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO LOCK OR UNLOCK THE DOOR. VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 75,000 MILES.

NHTSA ID

10914165

Incident

Oct 6, 2016

Mileage

75,000 mi

2012 M37 49,700 MILES. WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS IN THE POSITION SELECTED FOR DRIVING, THE WHEEL LOCKED UP.UNABLE TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT. DEALER SAID UPPER STEERING SHAFT FAILED.

NHTSA ID

10908745

Incident

Aug 26, 2016

Mileage

49,700 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 INFINITI M37. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TILTED DOWNWARD, IT WAS UNABLE TO BE TURNED LEFT OR RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,541.

NHTSA ID

10894718

Incident

Aug 5, 2016

Mileage

72,541 mi

OPENED CAR WITH TOUCH KEY AND TELESCOPIC STEERING WHEEL MADE LOUD POPPING SOUND. STEERING WHEEL DID NOT GO TO SET POSITION AND WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER AFTERWARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT MOVING THANKFULLY AS IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER AFTER THE POPPING SOUND. THE STEERING WHEEL HAD TO BE KEPT IN AN UPWARD POSITION TO STEER AT ALL WITH DIFFICULTY.

NHTSA ID

10865525

Incident

May 6, 2016

Mileage

66,068 mi

VEHICLE WON'T START REPLACED BATTERY 2 WITHIN 4 MONTHS INFINITY DEALERSHIP CAN'T FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS BUT CAR WON'T START . CAN CHARGE BATTERY DRIVE SMALL DISTANCE AND CAR WILL NOT START HAD TWO PLACES CHECK ALTERNATOR AND STARTER STATED NO PROBLEM BUT UNABLE TO FIND THE DRAIN

NHTSA ID

10852240

Incident

Dec 21, 2015

Mileage

41,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 INFINITI M37. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, BLACK SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND A BALL OF FLAMES IMMEDIATELY SHOT OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DIALED 911. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED APPROXIMATELY 20 TO 30 MINUTES LATER AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. BOTH A FIRE AND A POLICE REPORT WERE FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE REMNANTS OF THE VEHICLE WERE TOWED AWAY BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000.

NHTSA ID

10818391

Incident

Jan 28, 2015

Mileage

33,000 mi