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 ↗2008 INFINITI G35 airbags problems
severe 30 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
30
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
4crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 30 airbags complaints filed for the 2008 INFINITI G35, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
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.
What stands out
Airbags accounts for 32% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 9 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 30 airbags complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
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.
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 failure pattern owners describe
The most common complaint is the passenger occupant sensor (OCS) malfunctioning intermittently. When an adult sits in the front passenger seat, the airbag warning light illuminates or blinks, falsely indicating the airbag is disabled. The light may stay on for 10–30 minutes, requiring the passenger to shift position repeatedly. Dealers diagnose this as sensor or seat cushion failure and quote $4,000–$7,000 to replace the entire passenger seat assembly. Infiniti issued Recall 08V521000 in November 2008 for this exact problem on some 2008 G35 vehicles, but many cars with identical failure modes—manufactured in the same window—were excluded from the recall. Infiniti refuses to cover out-of-recall vehicles and customer service explicitly declines to help. Beyond sensor noise, owners report critical deployment failures: one vehicle struck a tree head-on but the steering wheel airbag never deployed; another hit a stationary truck at 25–45 mph with no airbags deploying despite severe front-end damage. A third vehicle had airbags fire spontaneously over a pothole at 35 mph. One curtain airbag deployed without warning while the car sat parked, unoccupied, and off. Owners describe their core concern plainly: if the sensor disables the airbag in an actual crash, occupants will have zero protection.
Failure modes owners describe
Passenger Occupant Sensor (OCS) Malfunction - Intermittent Disabling
The passenger-side occupant sensor fails intermittently, causing the airbag warning light to illuminate and indicate the airbag is 'off' or disabled even when an adult is seated. The sensor misclassifies occupancy weight. Dealers acknowledge a design defect but many refuse further repair attempts. Some vehicles are included in Recall 08V521000 (NHTSA Campaign Number 08V521000); many others with identical symptoms are not, despite nearly identical manufacturing windows.
When: Occurs intermittently during vehicle operation, typically once passenger seated; often recurs; mileage ranges 25–200,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag warning light illuminates or blinks when passenger is seated; Light indicates 'airbag off' despite occupant in seat; Light may remain on for 10–30+ minutes before clearing; Intermittent behavior—issue comes and goes; Passenger must adjust seating position repeatedly to get light to extinguish
Codes mentioned: B1018 - OCS Sensor Mat Malfunctioning / Unit Fail, B1022 - Occupant Sensor (Unit Fail) Past Code
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers cite need to replace passenger seat bottom/cushion assembly or entire seat frame, estimated cost $4,000–$7,000. Some dealers refuse to repair under warranty, claiming system is working as intended. One vehicle repaired but failure recurred at 86,000 miles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 08V521000 issued November 2008 for occupant sensor failure on certain 2008 G35 VINs, but exclusion list includes many vehicles with identical failure modes; manufacturer refuses coverage for out-of-recall vehicles; Infiniti customer service has explicitly declined to help on documented cases citing cost savings.
Steering Wheel Airbag Non-Deployment in Frontal Collision
In a significant frontal crash (approximately head-on impact with tree at 35 mph), the steering wheel (driver) airbag failed to deploy while the left front side airbag did deploy. Vehicle experienced severe impact yet steering wheel bag remained inert.
When: During frontal collision at approximately 35 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel airbag did not deploy on frontal impact; Left front side airbag deployed; Driver sustained severe welts from side airbag straps and chest trauma; Driver sustained broken tibia and fibula (two surgeries, three months in cast)
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle was struck head-on into tree in heavy rainstorm. Nissan performed cursory investigation and claimed nothing was wrong, though owner disputes this based on lack of airbag deployment and brake issues.
Complete Airbag Non-Deployment in Frontal Collision
In a front-end collision at estimated 25–45 mph with stationary truck, both driver and passenger airbags failed to deploy despite significant frontal impact. Dealer acknowledged a 2008 recall existed for the same year/make/model but stated the specific VIN was excluded. Police attended and ambulance was called for injuries to the other vehicle.
When: During frontal collision at 25–45 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags did not deploy on front-end impact; Vehicle undrivable; severe front-end damage; Driver later complained of dizziness and neck pain
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle was towed from scene. Repair service personnel expressed surprise that airbags did not deploy given severity of crash.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 08V521000 in effect for year/make/model; Infiniti stated VIN was not included in recall despite identical issue.
Spontaneous Airbag Deployment - Vehicle At Rest
Right-side curtain airbag deployed spontaneously while the vehicle was parked in the driveway, unoccupied and engine off. No impact or trigger event occurred.
When: July 2019; vehicle at rest
Symptoms owners cite: Curtain airbag on right side deployed without impact or occupancy; Vehicle was off and unoccupied
Airbag Deployment Over Minor Road Hazard
Airbags deployed when the vehicle drove over a pothole at low speed (35 mph). No collision occurred. Seat belts in both driver and passenger positions subsequently failed to retract.
When: While driving 35 mph over pothole
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags deployed without impact or warning; Both driver and passenger seat belts no longer retracted after deployment
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle was not repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was notified of the failure.
Occupant Sensor Misclassification - Faulty 'Airbag Off' Indication When Seat Occupied
Occupant sensor intermittently or consistently fails to recognize passenger weight, particularly in 85+ lb range, causing 'airbag off' indicator to display despite occupied seat. Some units flash the indicator; in some cases dealer claims system is functioning normally despite light illumination.
When: Low mileage (e.g., 3,200 miles) through higher mileage (137,000+ miles)
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag indicator fails to illuminate when passenger (85+ lbs) occupies seat, or illuminates incorrectly; Sensor may flash intermittently; Indicator light stays on for extended periods before clearing
Codes mentioned: B1018 - OCS Sensor Mat Malfunctioning
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer inspection at low mileage (3,200) found no failures. Multiple visits to dealership in other cases yielded no repairs; technician claimed airbag was functioning properly.
Synthesized from 30 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Infiniti g35. While driving 35 MPH over a pothole, the air bags deployed without impact or warning. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle drove away from the scene. In addition, the contact stated that the driver and passenger seat belts no longer retracted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure.…
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Infiniti g35. Whenever the front passenger seat was occupied, the air bag warning indicator displayed that it was off. The air bag warning indicator started to flash. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the sensor needed replacement on the front passenger side. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The…
We are having a reoccurring problem of the front passenger seat airbag sensor not working. The vehicle has a light which illuminates when the passenger airbag is not "armed" for deployment. The first time we took it to the Infiniti dealership they said they could not replicate the problem. It continued to be a problem for us intermittently for over a year. My main concern was always that if…
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Infiniti g35. The contact stated that the front air bag warning indicator would not illuminate when occupied with a front seat passenger weighing 85 pounds and over, as it was supposed to. The vehicle was taken to the dealer three times for the identical failure. The technician informed the contact that the air bag was functioning properly. The vehicle was not…
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 Infiniti g35 sedan. The contact stated that the air bag indicator does not illuminate when a passenger is seated in the front seat. The sensor indicator illuminates whenever the vehicle is in motion. The dealer inspected the vehicle and tested the sensor while someone was seated in and out of the seat. However, they found no failures with the sensor or air bag…
When the passenger seat is occupied by an adult (150 lbs+), the passenger airbag warning light will sometimes illuminate indicating that the passenger airbag has been disabled. Infiniti has been involved with repairing the car 4 times for this issue. At this point they are no longer willing to further investigate the issue and say it is working as intended even though the light intermittently…
Passenger seat occupancy sensor failure. This disables the airbags for the front passenger. Cost to repair approaches the value of the car ($6k-7k). Seems to be a common issue with this vehicle.
Had airbags trouble with your 2008 INFINITI G35?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2008 INFINITI G35?
It's a meaningful issue. 30 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 21 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 51,000 and 108,000 miles, with the median around 86,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 51,000; a quarter make it past 108,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
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.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2008/INFINITI/G35.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.