AI Damage2012 Infiniti FX35: common problems
Owners of the 2012 Infiniti FX35 filed 14 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and air bags. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 14
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 29% of all complaints
- 2 Air bags 21% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 21% of all complaints
- 4 Visibility 14% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel/propulsion system 7% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel system 7% of all complaints
- 7 Powertrain 7% of all complaints
- 8 Structure 7% of all complaints
- Engine: 4 complaints (29% of all).
- Air bags: 3 complaints (21% of all).
- Electrical system: 3 complaints (21% of all).
- Visibility: 2 complaints (14% of all).
- Fuel/propulsion system: 1 complaints (7% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 7-speed
Drive: RWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 14 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 4 | 1 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
First signs of impending failure is a rattle inside the engine. Eventual the chain will break loose and destroy the engine. The parts themselves can be purchased at any auto parts store for under $50.00, however labor is in the thousands or engine complete failure.
The contact stated that on several occasions, while the vehicle was started, there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.
The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the PCM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired however, the repair was pending. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Infiniti fx35 2012 dashboard is falling apart in pieces. Vehicle has 69,000 miles on it. The dashboard seems to be melting as it has become sticky and the reflection is blinding me in the windshield when I drive. The issue has progressed to cracks everywhere and infiniti is refusing to service.
On top of that I couldn't move, because the seatbelts locked me. It's a wonder I didn't slam on the breaks, or swerve into the other lanes, a perfectly natural reaction. I used my peripheral vision to move into the slower lanes to the right of me. The last lane ended up being the exit lane.
Takata recall. I was driving my fx35 2012 infiniti and the airbag spontaneously deployed and exploded. I did not hit any car or object, this was not due to an accident.... Just a deployment. It was a large boom, loud explosion, smell of a strong gun powder odor that burns your eyes. The airbag was torn.
Whited out front window, large impeding airbag in my face, but miraculously, I managed to safely maneuver across two lanes of traffic! The last lane turned out to be the exit off the freeway, where there was a gas station.
I reported my vehicle is a whining noise coming from the engine. I took it in for a diagnosis. The technician informed me that no codes were detected; however believes it is the alternator. The car has 39k miles.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 9,551 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 26% most complained about).
On average one model year of the FX35 has 37 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 14, below average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Infiniti FX35?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, air bags, electrical system. Total complaints: 14. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: knocking, grinding or other noise (21%), windows, sunroof (14%), fuel system, fuel smell (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2012 Infiniti FX35?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2012 Infiniti FX35 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2012 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.