Infiniti G35 2005 Owners say they will never buy another Nissan

New Jersey, NYMany disgruntled consumers have filed complaints against Nissan North America Inc. over the Nissan brake defect in their Infiniti G35 2005. Not only are they out-of-pocket for the cost of brake pad and brake rotor replacements (that a class action suit claims Nissan should cover under warranty); vehicle owners also say the break defect has undercut the Infiniti's resale value.

Andrew (not his real name pending a lawsuit) from Lewisville, Texas says he was unable to get the brake defect on his Infiniti G35 2005 resolved, resulting in excessive maintenance costs exceeding the extended warranty and resulting in a reduction of its resale value. "I spent a small fortune on this car because I thought it was good quality and I wouldn't have to put a lot of money into it," he says. "What a waste. I could have spent $10,000 less and had lesser problems. I'll never buy another Infiniti.

"All of the reports that you have heard about premature brake wear and rotor replacement on the G35 is correct," Andrew adds. "I constantly have to deal with this problem—I have replaced the pads and rotors and still have brake squeal and wear within 3 to 4 months. I am very disappointed and feel that Nissan should purchase the car back or at least give me the balance of what I owe as a trade-in."

Nissan's two earlier models, i.e., the 2003 and 2004 Infiniti G35, had similar problems and the company extended its warranty for these years. But it has—so far—left owners of the 2005 model to fend for themselves. And in so doing, Nissan has irked a lot of people besides Andrew, perhaps to the extent that they may not do business with Nissan again.

Why doesn't Nissan have the foresight to do the right thing and keep their customers happy?

Daniel in West Hollywood reports that her 2005 G35 coupe required multiple break changes at her cost. She was also told by Nissan that they would only cover brake pads and rotors for 36,000 miles or so. Nancy in Los Angeles spent $1200.00 for new brakes: " I can't believe Nissan wouldn't cover this obvious defect under warranty on a 2 year old car," she says.

Here is another complaint from Denise in Upland, California: "I own a 2005 G35 sedan with 56,000 miles on it, and am having the rear brakes replaced for the second time (the first time was at 30,000 miles). The dealer tells me it's because it's a sports car, but that is ridiculous. I would like to be involved in a class action suit against Infiniti. I do a lot of freeway driving and rarely have to slam on my brakes."

And Dave from Ontario writes: "Just went in for the 40,000km (25000 miles) on my Infiniti G35 2005 and found out my brakes are at 5 percent. They said I need 2 new front rotors, 2 machined back rotors and 4 new pads at an estimated cost of $1,200 plus taxes. This is NOT NORMAL! On top of that they told me that every time I start the car I should manually turn off the VDC.*

The dealership told me they are regularly seeing the VDC cars with heavy wear. As VDC is part of the car and brakes are considered normal wear and tear, it is not a warranty piece. According to the dealer the early wear issues were only for the 2003 and 2004 and they are not going to assist in any way. The were nice enough and agreed that spending $700 on breaks every year is excessive, but there is nothing they can do other than telling consumers to turn off the VDC. I asked them if turning off VDC would make the car less safe. Their answer: no comment."

* VDC (Vehicle Dynamics Control) is composed of 2 main systems: VTD plus VDC full time 4 wheel traction and engine management. VDC is traction control that senses vehicle direction and uses brake, throttle and engine management to help maintain stability. The components of the VDC system are: all wheel drive using the VTD system. When the wheels are spinning without traction or the vehicle is not going in the direction it is being steered, the VDC system kicks in. Direction: uses brakes to slow down wheels to reduce spin and help control vehicle direction. Skidding: yaw and steering wheel sensors use brakes to slow down spinning wheels and re-direct power to the wheel(s) with the best traction to regain control. Engine power use engine output to slow spinning by reducing spark to cylinders to cut back power and help regain control.

Dave sums it up: "The fact that the 2005 vehicles are burning through 100 percent of their brakes and rotors in just 25,000 miles like the 2003 and 2004 recall is more than a coincidence…this will be my last Nissan vehicle."