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? Almost all cars have this problem and manufacturers keep building cars with UNSAFE headlights. Why aren't these recalls? Thank you for this website. As an American Citizen and consumer with a daughter these safety concerns are very troubling to me and all my friends and business associates.
2003 Infiniti I35 engine problems
69 complaints (74% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 100,250.
- owner complaints
- 69
- of this car's complaints
- 74%
- typical mileage
- 100,250
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Engine4
- Exhaust system: emission control1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Infiniti I35 engine problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Infiniti I35 engine
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- This could cause the "service engine soon" warning light to come on, create a no start condition, cause reduced engine power, or cause the engine to stop running without warning during vehicle operation, which could result in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the crank position sensors. Camshaft position sensor(s), and in some cases, the variable timing control sensor(s). Vehicles involved in a previous recall campaign, 01v357, are also included in this new campaign. The replacement sensors used in that campaign are also affected. Owner notification began on december 22, 2003. Owners should contact nissan at 1‑800‑647‑7261 or infiniti at 1‑800‑662‑6200.
Recall number 03V455000 · Recall details
What 2003 Infiniti I35 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
2003 infinity i35 stalls/dies without warning, spits/jerks forward, check engine light, tcs and slip. Happens while driving but usually starts right back up afterwards. Has happened a number of times have replaced one camshaft position sensor and still have the same issue.
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.
Replaced complete exhaust system, all o2 sensors, both cam sensors, fuel pump with strainer, fuel pump relay, spark plugs and coils, fuel regulator, had key programmed, key antenna replaced, vehicle fails to start
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. What additional information is needed to get this problem taken care of.
Car shuts down. Over three years ago it died while driving. I took it to the infinity dealership. They told me it was cam sensor. Had it & crank sensor replaced. Problem persisted. Took back to infinity & was told it was the cylynoid. Had thatbreplace. Problem persisted. The infiniti dealer said the timing chain need replaced but my car was not worth spending that amount of repair. My car is well kept with it just now tirning over 100,000 miles. I got a second opinion from a certified custom nissan/infiniti shop. He laughed at the timing chain suggestion. They have built & repaired thousands of my vehicle & others witj timing chains ...chains do not have issues on cars with very little milage & grandma driving style!. They changed the sensors for me again using original infiniti parts. My car ran fine for 2 years. Now I face the same problem once more. Unfortunately beyond recall limit that I am certain the dealership knew about 3 years ago which would have been within recall correction time limits! My car looses all power & all dash lights come on (engine, tcs, slip,brake, etc). Soetimes it will instantly come back alive. Most times it is just dead. Scenarios vary: 60 MPH on freeway, sitting at red light, upon acceleration, going 5 MPH, after 5 minutes of drive time, after days of drive time, ... There is no pattern or peticular action that causes it. It is very scary & dangerous to me & all around me. Now I have a great car in like new condition with only 100,000 miles, paid for, that I have to replace with no money or continue to endanger myself & others. I am furious. !!!! Is there nothing else I can do? Is there nothing that infiniti can do?
Car stops without warning on city street
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 infiniti i35. While driving between 35-40 MPH, the vehicle decelerated without warning. The contact placed the transmission into neutral, restarted the engine, and the drove away safely. An independent mechanic came to the contact's home to diagnose the vehicle, but the test could not be read. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 128,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 infiniti i35. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency 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 the federal safety agency 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.
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.
Questions about the 2003 Infiniti I35 engine
Does the 2003 Infiniti I35 have engine problems?
Owners have filed 69 complaints about the engine of the 2003 Infiniti I35, 74% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2003 Infiniti I35 engine problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 100,250 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2003 Infiniti I35 engine?
Yes, 1 recall: 03V455000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Infiniti I35 have bad engine?
The Infiniti I35 model years with the most engine complaints are 2003 (69 complaints), 2002 (23 complaints) and 2004 (10 complaints).
Other 2003 Infiniti I35 problems
Electrical 13Acceleration 10Driver assistance 9Airbags 8Transmission 5Brakes 4Fuel system 4Body 1Seats 1Steering 1Suspension 1
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2003 Infiniti I35?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history