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severe Owners of the 2008 INFINITI EX35 have filed 10 NHTSA complaints about the airbags, typically surfacing around 88,000 miles at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See airbags across all vehicles →
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2008 EX35 (this page) | 10 |
| 2009 EX35 | 3 |
| 2011 EX35 | 3 |
Of the 10 airbags complaints filed for the 2008 INFINITI EX35, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
All 2 active airbags recalls on this vehicle land at critical or severe — none classified moderate.
Airbags accounts for 23% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 4 categories tracked.
This could result in the passenger air bag not inflating in a crash in which it was designed to do so, and increasing the risk of injury.
This could result in the passenger air bag being suppressed which could fail to provide adequate protection in the event of a crash.
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Infiniti USA Electronic Field Communication Subject: Takata Completion Objectives for Q3 INFINITI is continuing to ask its retailers to urgently help increase customer participation in the Takata recalls to help it achieve 100% customer recall participation for the following vehicles: ? 2001 I30 ? 2002-04 I35 ? 2003-08 FX ? 2002-03 QX4 ? 2006-10 M Sedan INFINITI expects to upload the next refreshed owner list to DBS within the next week. We will also be reassigning VINs to retailers based on information changes. We didn?t reassign any VINs in Q2 to avoid any mid-quarter objective impact. If VINs were repaired out of network, the retailer/region with the original assignment received credit fo
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SERVICE INFORMATION Changes or modifications to the front seat assembly trim materials may affect the proper operation of the Front Seat-Mounted Side-Impact Supplemental Air Bags and Passenger Occupant Classification Sensor and could result in serious personal injury or death. Infiniti STRONGLY RECOMMENDS AGAINST making any change to seat trim materials from the factory equipped condition. This specifically applies to replacing the seat trim with non-factory materials; adding leather/cloth seat covers, seat pads, or seat storage pouches, etc. around or over the seat back and the passenger seat cushion. See this bulletin for further detail.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗INFINITI: SRS PRECAUTIONS DURING SERVICE. INCLUDED IN THE RESTRAINTS SECTION OF THE ELECTRONIC SERVICE MANUAL (ESM) FOR EACH VEHICLE IS INFORMATION NECESSARY TO SERVICE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) SAFELY. IMPROPER MAINTENANCE, INCLUDING INCORRECT REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION OF THE SRS, CAN LEAD TO A SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH CAUSED BY UNINTENTIONAL ACTIVATION OF THE SRS. NO MODEL OR MODEL YEARS LISTED. UPDATED 2/21/14.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SERVICE INFORMATION Information necessary to service the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) safely is included in the "RESTRAINTS" section of the Electronic Service Manual (ESM) for each vehicle IMPORTANT: Turn the ignition switch OFF, disconnect both battery terminals, and wait at least 3 minutes before performing any service on the SRS. See this bulletin for further detail.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SRS PRECAUTIONS DURING SERVICE; INCORRECT REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION OF THE SRS, CAN LEAD TO A SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH CAUSED BY UNINTENTIONAL ACTIVATION OF THE SRS ON ALL INFINITI MODELS WITH THE SRS SYSTEMS.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The 2008 EX35 shows two distinct airbag problems. First is a widespread occupant classification sensor malfunction. Multiple owners report the passenger airbag warning light staying on constantly or illuminating randomly, even with an adult in the seat. Dealership diagnostics identify a communication fault between the ACU (Airbag Control Unit) and OCS (Occupant Classification Sensor) under the passenger seat. Repair costs run $1000 to $6400 depending on which component needs replacement. The frustration here centers on VIN-specific exclusions: three NHTSA recalls exist for this exact issue on 2007–2008 EX35s (campaign 08V521000), yet owners claim their VINs fall outside recall scope despite matching year, model, and symptoms. One owner replaced the OCS; the light returned six weeks later.
The second issue is more serious: two separate complaints describe airbag non-deployment during crashes. One involved a low-speed curb strike that somehow triggered deployment instead. The other two describe crashes where front airbags simply did not deploy—one a full frontal impact after collision with another vehicle, the other a passenger-side impact at 15 mph. Both vehicles were totaled; occupants were injured. Neither situation produced clear diagnostic information in the narratives.
Airbag warning light flashes or stays on continuously. Dealership diagnostics point to communication problems between the Airbag Control Unit (ACU) and Occupant Classification Sensor (OCS), located under the passenger seat. Owners report that replacement parts appear undamaged yet fail.
When: No specific mileage cited; occurs after normal use
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard airbag warning light flashing or constant illumination; Passenger airbag status light indicates airbag off despite adult occupant in seat
Repairs/costs cited: ACU replacement $1000+; OCS replacement estimated $3200–$6400. One owner reset sensor after replacement; light returned after six weeks.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Three recalls exist for 2007–2008 EX35 ACU/OCS problems (NHTSA campaign 08V521000 referenced), but owners report their VINs excluded from coverage despite same model year and symptoms.
Airbag deployed when vehicle struck a 4-foot concrete curb at parking garage gate while moving from stopped position. Owner reports zero bumper damage and minimal contact speed.
When: No mileage given
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag deployed unexpectedly on low-speed impact with curb; Occupant sustained lacerations to forehead and hands; black and blue eyes reported
Repairs/costs cited: Airbag replacement expensive; deployment damaged electrical system.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No response documented. Owner states airbag recall does not apply to their VIN.
Front airbags failed to deploy during full frontal impact. Vehicle struck by another car on driver side (all side airbags deployed), then collided head-on with brick column. Frontal impact was severe enough to total vehicle.
When: No mileage given
Symptoms owners cite: Front airbags did not deploy in frontal crash; Occupant sustained fractured vertebra and concussion
Airbags did not deploy when another vehicle ran red light and struck front passenger side of EX35 at approximately 15 mph. Vehicle destroyed in crash.
When: At approximately 115,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags did not deploy in frontal passenger-side impact crash; Occupant sustained injury
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not notified of failure.
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Infiniti ex35. The contact stated that the air bag sensor illuminated, indicating that the air bags malfunctioned. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number:08v521000 (air bags, electrical system). The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who diagnosed that the front passenger side seat needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The…
The dash board airbag warning light started flashing. It stayed flashing for a few weeks, so I took it to an Infiniti dealership. The dealership told me there was some type of communication problem between the acu and ocs units, located under the passenger seat. They said they couldn't tell any more than that, and would try replacing the acu first (this cost me over $1000). They then said if…
Airbag sensor in passenger side seat is not working , other 2008 ex35 recalled for this, but not mine!!!??? Dealer wants 4600 dollars to repair it!!
Tl* the contact owned a 2008 Infiniti ex35. While driving at approximately 15 MPH and turning left, another vehicle failed to stop at a red traffic light and crashed into the front passenger side of the contact's vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contain sustained an injury, but did not require medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was…
Takata recall
The passenger airbag light stays on constantly. We had the dealership do a diagnostic on it and came back that the occupant control sensor unit in the passenger seat is bad and they want 6400.00 to fix it!! Ironically, other 2007-2008 infinity ex35 models were recalled for the same issue, except mine due to my VIN! Why were 200,00+ other cars from same year and model recalled but not mine? Even…
The 2008 Infiniti ex35 was struck by a car (Honda accord) going through a red light. Initial contact on the driver side of the car - all side airbags deployed. The Infiniti then hit a brick column supporting a building with full frontal impact between the headlights. The front air bags did not deploy. The car was a complete loss - $26,000. The driver suffered a fractured vertebrae and…
The occupant classification sensor does not always function properly. Even with an adult passenger in the front passenger seat, using the seat belt, the passenger air bag status light occasionally is illuminated (indicating air bag is off). This appears to occur randomly. I cannot find a pattern on what causes this to happen. We first noticed it more than 2 years ago, but didn't think much…
It's a meaningful issue. 10 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 67,000 and 112,000 miles, with the median around 88,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 67,000; a quarter make it past 112,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Yes — 2 active recall(s) cover airbags issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.