CAN COMMUNICATION CODES – DIAGNOSTIC TIPS AND GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2008 INFINITI G37 electrical problems
severe 13 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
3fires
When does it fail?
Of the 13 electrical complaints filed for the 2008 INFINITI G37, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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
Of the 5 model years of INFINITI G37 we track for electrical problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 13.
Electrical accounts for 20% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 8 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical 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.
CAN COMMUNICATION – NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗INTELLIGENT KEY NOT DETECTED / ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗CAN COMMUNICATION â NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗CAN COMMUNICATION CODES â DIAGNOSTIC TIPS AND GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2008 G37's electrical system shows persistent problems across multiple subsystems. The integrated Panasonic CD changer is the most common complaint—owners describe it operating when the ignition is off, moving discs unprompted, refusing to eject or accept discs, and causing repeated battery drain. One owner went through three batteries in seven years; another pulled the radio fuse only to lose heating, defrost, and navigation control simultaneously (all on the integrated BOSE unit). Infiniti dealerships quote $500–$550 per replacement, and owners report replacement units failing within weeks.
Airbag warnings plague owners at various mileages (54,000–76,000 miles and earlier). The occupant classification sensor and airbag control module fail routinely; dealers quote $1,000–$5,000+ to replace. Owners note that disconnecting the battery can trigger the warning light. A recall (08V521000) exists for this vehicle's airbags but is frequently deemed not applicable to specific VINs.
Two separate vehicle fires reported—one an explosion at the front end while parked, the other originating at the seat warmer button. Both were total loss; the fire department confirmed electrical origin on one. Airbag sensor lights blinked prior to the first fire.
Secondary issues include clicking behind the tachometer (correlating to 2,000–3,000 RPM), unintended engine surge during braking in the first 2,000 miles, and one case of airbag deployment from a pothole strike with subsequent battery-hold failure.
Same INFINITI G37 electrical reports on nearby years: 2009
Failure modes owners describe
CD Changer malfunction with parasitic battery drain
Stock Panasonic CD changer operates continuously when vehicle is off, moving discs around, refusing to eject or accept discs, and draining battery. Owners report 3+ battery replacements, parasitic electrical draw diagnosis at dealership, and replacement CD changers failing within weeks to months.
When: Occurs immediately after ownership; battery drain evident within months to years of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: CD changer operates with ignition off; Discs move around unprompted; Discs won't eject or load; Battery drains repeatedly; Replacement CD changers fail prematurely
Repairs/costs cited: $500–$550 per CD changer replacement; first diagnosis $138. Pulling radio fuse disables heat, defrost, AC, and navigation (integrated BOSE unit).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall identified. Infiniti advised no refund available. BBB claims filed; Infiniti unresponsive. Panasonic CD changers still used in newer Infiniti models.
Airbag warning light and occupant classification sensor failure
Airbag warning light illuminates or flickers while driving or parked. Dealership diagnosis identifies failed occupant classification system control unit, passenger-side airbag sensor failure, or airbag control module damage. Owners report uncertainty about airbag deployment capability when warning is active. Some owners refused repair due to cost.
When: At 54,360 miles and 76,000 miles reported; also reported early in ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminates; Airbag warning light flickers while driving; All sensor lights blink on dashboard; Uncertainty about airbag deployment reliability
Repairs/costs cited: $1,000–$5,000+ for airbag control module or sensor replacement. Third-party reflashing of airbag module chip available as alternative but requires repeated service.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Campaign 08V521000 (airbags, electrical system) exists but vehicle often excluded per VIN. Infiniti confirmed no recall applicability in multiple cases.
Vehicle fire—electrical origin
Two separate incidents of vehicle fire with confirmed or suspected electrical cause. One owner woken by explosion in front end; fire dept ruled it electrical. Second incident—fire started at seat warmer button location on console, large enough to reach roof. Both vehicles total loss.
When: Incident #1: 4/13/19 early morning, parked overnight. Incident #2: while owner sleeping.
Symptoms owners cite: Explosion in front end of vehicle; Fire in engine compartment; Blinking sensor lights preceding fire; Airbag sensor light active prior to fire; Fire originating at seat warmer button console area
Repairs/costs cited: Total loss in both cases. Fire dept response required; hood cut open to access engine compartment fire.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Infiniti indicated no recall on vehicle and no interest in investigating cause per owner account. No manufacturer follow-up on fire investigation.
Airbag deployment from minor road contact (pothole)
Driver-side airbag deployed after hitting a pothole or bump with no front or rear impact. Insurance denied claim due to lack of collision damage.
When: During normal driving after hitting road irregularity
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag deployed from pothole/bump contact; No collision or impact damage present; Battery will not hold charge after deployment; Battery requires jump-start prior to each use
Repairs/costs cited: Insurance claim denied. Ongoing battery charging issue after deployment.
Clicking noise from behind tachometer
Clicking sound originates behind tachometer gauge. Noise occurs when tachometer needle is between 2,000 and 3,000 RPM while driving; noise increases in frequency and loudness at higher speeds.
When: Occurs during normal driving when RPM in 2K–3K range
Symptoms owners cite: Clicking noise behind tachometer; Clicking correlates to RPM range 2K–3K; Noise increases with vehicle speed
Engine speed increase during braking
Engine revs up uncontrollably when braking; occurs repeatedly within first 2,000 miles of driving.
When: First 2,000 miles of ownership; seven occasions reported
Symptoms owners cite: Unintended engine speed increase while braking; Multiple occurrences early in vehicle life
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner in Stage 2 lemon law proceedings
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
I've been having a continuing problem in regards the stock panasonic cd changer. The cd changer is moving discs around when the power to the car if off, won't eject discs or receive them. This malfunction is draining my battery. I brought the car into a Infiniti service shop and they advised me that the cd changer was malfunctioning and would repair if for $500.00, by inputting a remanufactured…
Clicking noise coming from behind the tachometer. While driving, the clicking noise happens when the tachometer is between 2k & 3k. The faster I drive, the louder & faster the clicking. *tr
Had electrical trouble with your 2008 INFINITI G37?
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 electrical problem on the 2008 INFINITI G37?
It's a meaningful issue. 13 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 54,360 and 96,000 miles, with the median around 76,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 54,360; a quarter make it past 96,000. 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 $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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/G37.
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.