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Nissan Infiniti G35 Brake Problems – squealing, fast wear out due to defect

227 Comments

Front brakes on my Infiniti G35 2003 started to produce excessive squealing and it was the time to change brakes again. I dropped by to the dealership where they checked brakes and gave me estimation of $740 to replace front brake rotors and pads.

Infiniti Front Brake Rotors and Pads Dealership Job Estimate

The last time I changed front rotors and pads was 30000 km ago at Willowdale Nissan Infiniti dealership service center. Moreover, 12000 km ago same pads have been replaced and rotors machined. So, I can say that for me genuine Infiniti brake parts work for 20000 km or about one year. How? Why? One year for Nissan Infiniti brake rotors, and even less for brake pads?

I’m usually asking service advisors about the reason of fast wearing, probably something was not installed properly, or some parts were defective. The answer is always the same – because of the way I’m driving… Ok. This time I’ve decided to make some investigation and research before continuing to waste more than $1500/year on brakes for “the way I’m driving”.

I was very surprised with what I’ve found.

Infiniti G35 2003 has defective brake system.

It causes continuous squealing and very fast wear out.

Search engines provide many thousands results for the search query like “Nissan Infiniti brake problems”. And it applies not only for G35 or only for 2003 models. It applies to FX35, QX56, G35 Coupe, Maxima and to the models of 2003-2006 years. There are many lawsuits against Infiniti due to brakes problems, because replacing them due to known defect every year is too much for consumers. Moreover, it drops resale value significantly!

When I was buying the car at Willowdale Nissan Infiniti dealership, I’ve asked sales person if there are any known problems, or recalls for the vehicle. Dino Pop (his name) lied me that there is absolutely nothing wrong – no recalls, no problems, no issues.

I have NEVER heard from Willowdale Nissan Infiniti service advisors that there is a known problem with Infiniti brakes. However, I was asking them each time about the problems with brakes. And every time after brakes replacement at this Infiniti of Willowdale stealership, squealing noise appeared after several days of driving. I just used to it, however it is really annoying from time to time. And mechanics could not do anything about it, and they did not let me know about the well known problem, because changing defective brakes very often is an excellent cash cow for Nissan Infiniti dealerships.

And dealerships continue to install defective genuine Nissan Infiniti brake rotors and brake pads.

When I complain on squealing they always do nothing:

Infiniti Brake Squealing Report - No Actions

I just started to think that Willowdale Nissan Infiniti mechanics are not qualified enough to do the brake job.

Here is a solution!

Do not install defective OEM Nissan Infiniti brake parts anymore! They will die in a year.

Consider after-market brake rotors and pads. I personally did it this time. Brake rotors and pads with shims perfectly matched my Infiniti G35 2003. I replaced brake rotors and pads for the front wheels during Friday evening. It is not so hard as it may look like. I’ve ordered brakes from California. Everything (both left and right rotors, pads with shims) including one-week delivery and taxes cost me $220 CAD. It is a way less than $750 offered by the dealership. Brake parts are much better than genuine Infiniti ones. Rotors are ventilated and slotted.

And there is absolutely no any noise from the brakes! It is the first time for the several years of my ownership of Infiniti G35 when I’m not hearing any squealing or other noise from brakes.

If you decided to install rotors and pads by yourself, you may ask any questions regarding the process as well. I will create and post here illustrated instructions for the front brake rotors and pads replacement procedure for Infiniti G35 when I can find some more time.

Here is the Infiniti G35 Repair Manual to assist in brake rotors and pads replacement:

Infiniti G35 2003 Service Manual – Brake System (BR)

227 thoughts on “Nissan Infiniti G35 Brake Problems – squealing, fast wear out due to defect”

  1. Hello
    I have a 2004 G35 and my brakes and need to replace my brakes, do you mind giving me the info of where to buy them?

    Thanx

  2. Hey Trueler

    I just purchased a 2006 Infiniti g35 coupe and honestly I love it to death. However I am experiencing 2 problems with it. The first one being the brakes squeel when im braking, so I just wanted to know which pads and rotors you suggest?? And second when I drive over cracked or bumpy roads, I often hear a squeeky sound coming from the front of the car but almost as if its right in front of me. I too service my car at Willowdale Nissan Infiniti and can’t say I trust them very much there too. Please get back to me asap.

    Josh

  4. Hi there,

    Could you please e-mail the information on the aftermarket pads and rotors? I;m having the same problem. Thanks

  5. Hi I own an 05 g35 with 64,000 miles and had brakes and rotors replace and still keep getting this loud noise, the dealers state they don’t hear nothing or to drive for awhile it will eventually stop but it has not. can you please give me the information on the after market brakes and rotors such order number etc.

  6. Hi Trueler,

    I’m from Sydney Australia and was searching around for information regarding brake squealing and found your info. Explains a lot!

    Was hoping you can email me some parts information regarding the brand and part # for the brake rotors and pads?

    Much appreciated! Cheers!
    Brent

  7. Hi Trueler,
    Buying an ’03 G35 today, and anticipating the brakes wearing prematurely based upon all that I’m reading. Would like to get as much use as possible out of my brakes when these go, so please send to me your very useful, and appreciated information. Much obliged! Doug

  8. I’m having the same trouble with my 2004 G35 sedan. I had the Infiniti dealer replace the front and rear rotors and pads one year ago when I bought the car. I’m not doing that again so soon…less than 11,000 miles. The brakes are so “touchy” I hate driving with anyone else in the car.

    Will you please send me the information on parts and replacement?

  9. Hi Trueler ,

    Can you kindly tell me which model / brand is the after market brake rotor / pads? SO I can get them for my problematic 2003 G35 as well. Many thanks !

  10. Hi there

    I have an 03 G35 coupe and I’m wondering which parts you used!
    My brakes are wearing out faster than any other car I’ve driven..

    Thank you so much

  11. Hi Dan,

    You are very lucky guy! 7 years and 55K (I guess miles) for a single OEM Infiniti brakes is probably a world record :)

    Thanks for info.

    Trueler

  12. Sorry to hear about the early wear problems some have seen. My 03 G35 has 55K of mostly stop and go high speed CA driving and only now needs the brakes replaced.
    If my BMW 335 could do as well I would be a happy guy.
    By the way, I have found that my local Nissan dealer does the same work for much less. The only difference is the loaner is not a Infiniti.

  14. i have a 2003 infiniti g35, and same thing as everyone else, i’ve replaced brakes (rotors and pads) last yr, and now i need them again!@@ UGHH@@ please email me what you have bought and what I need to get for rotors and pads, my husband wants to go to an infiniti dealer cause they know the car, i think they will rip us off……HELP

    Thank you

    Fran

  15. Hi,

    Can you kindly email me the brand of rotors and pads that you used? I have a 2006 G35 and had to replace the front brakes every year after 35,000 kms.

    Thanks you.
    Joseph

  16. Can you please tell me which model / brand of after market brake rotor / pads for the rear? My rear is making the squealing noise now and I haven’t done anything to it for like 56k miles now. Hoping it is not so hard to do myself. Thanks in advance..

  17. Hi Scott,

    Good question :)

    Brake issues were resolved in 2006, and Infiniti brakes have been redesigned for the models of 2007 year and newer. So the car for your girlfriend does not have the same problems.

    Update by Trueler as of Nov 26, 2010:

    It looks like things are not as good. Infiniti claimed that brakes had been redesigned for 2007 and newer models. But after I posted this comment I paid attention to the cars around me when driving. And I noticed that many new Infiniti G (2007 year and newer) produce the same typical noise as 2003 models…

    Best Regards,
    Trueler

  19. Thank you Harris for sharing experience. Last time I were at dealership they offered $735 for the front brakes (rotors + pads). After that I did my own research and spend less than $200 + one evening of interesting replacement job :)

  20. It just sticks in my throat that Infiniti can produce a defective product and leave thousands of owners to live with the problem that the company created for the life of a product us consumers must suffer with. And the dealers are grabbing money to do brake jobs that add to the inflicted injury of us consumers. Is there no remedy other than fixing more breaks? Please send the info on alternatives to the Infiniti parts. Thanks for highlighting this issue, Trueler. P.S. the dealer wanted 2100 to do the job and when I yes it was too much, he dropped the price by 700. I still walked out. I don’t want there breaks at any price.

  21. I’ve had similar issues with my ’03 G35…was recently told I need to replace my front and rear brake pads and rotors. This will be the 3rd time in 65K miles. Can you send me the information as well?
    Thanks!

  22. Hi Susan,

    It looks like that “brake masters” you were dealing with are not really masters. They just grabbed money for rotors resurfacing and pads installation, and they are done. It doesn’t matter that you have noise. Asking to drive 500-1000k miles is a total gibberish. Usually good new brakes are pretty much adjusted during the first 100km. Mine stopped to produce any noise after ~30 minute drive (I’ve replaced them by myself).

    I can only advice to find good aftermarket brakes and ask friends for a good mechanic, so he can properly replace them.

    Please ask any further questions, if you need more advice.

    Best Regards,
    Trueler

  23. Hi Tony,

    I’ve sent details to you. ~86K miles is not too bad for 3 sets of brakes :) However if it is mostly highways (I believe for US that is true), less than 30K miles for one set of brakes is not good at all…

    Thanks!
    Trueler

  24. This looks very familiar. I would love to know details on the parts that you used to replace. This will be the 4th set of brakes over 85900 miles

  25. hi, i drive a 2005 g35 sedan, my brakes started making loud squealing noise and when braking i feel vibration so i took it to brake masters just recently and resurfaced front rotors and replaced the pads.. after waiting over 2 hrs, they’re finally done, i took off and felt a grinding noise when braking, and when i release my brakes it makes the same noise. i thought it would go away after driving for a few miles or so but it didn’t so i took my car back a week later and told them my problem, the manager came to me and said his guy drove it and didn’t find anything wrong with it, which i find it hard to believe. he said for me to drive the car for 500-1000k miles and it will go away, and i’ve never heard of that before. i’ve drove it over 500 miles and the grinding noise is still there. what do u think the problem is? before i took my car to brake masters, the grinding noise was not there. im so frustrated! idk what to do! pls help!

  26. Hi George, Dean,

    Please check your e-mails. Thanks for sharing experience of using Infiniti brakes.

    Regards,
    Trueler

  27. Hi,

    I have a 2004 G35X on which I have been replacing the brakes every 10-12,000 miles. I’m pretty sure the brakes are the same between the 03 and 04. Can you send me the name of the brakes that you have been using?

    Thanks,
    Dean

  28. I have only had my 2003 G35 for 9 months. The dealership I bought the car from told me the pads and rotors were new. They are now squeeling at times. I may need new pads soon. Would you please send me the name and contact for these aftermarket brakes? I will most likely install them myself. Thank you in advance.

  30. Hi, I’m another owner of a 2003 G35 with brake problems. Infiniti of Costa Mesa, CA replaced my original brake pads and turned the rotors, both free under warranty at 27K. These pads lasted another 23K miles, when I went to my old mechanic and had good non-OEM pads put in. These lasted 40K miles. Had the rotors turned again and new pads at 90K, but now the car feels like the front rotors are out of round again.
    Please email me the brand names of the rotors and pads you like, and I’ll have my mechanic install them. BTW, the car has been trouble free otherwise, and my next sedan will be another G35, probably a used 2008. Thanks, Ed

  32. Hi there,

    Could you please e-mail the information on the aftermarket pads and rotors? I;m having the same problem. Thanks.

  34. Wow! I just replaced my pads 5,000 miles ago. Went in for inspection and bam I need new pads. Seriously? Anyway. Please send me the link Truler. Much appreciated. So I assoming it’s not the calipers, just the pads and rotors? Thanks again!

    Eddie

  36. Hey! am about to buy a g35 infiniti, and i just ran across these problems with g35 brakes. can you send me a link on this aftermarket replace so i can keep an eye for them when i get this car. i already bookmarked this page.

  37. Hi Nicola,

    Thanks for interest and some information. Please check your e-mail.

    Best Regards,
    Trueler

  38. Can you send me what you put on your car? Infiniti has offered to put on stillen brakes on the front for $603.75 installed, but they are an after market brake so I am open to anything. My mechanic (not dealer) has told me he could put new ones on, but they aren’t stillen.
    Looking forward to hearing what you had installed on your car.
    Thanks Nicola :)

  39. Hi Yvette,

    Thanks for sharing your experience!
    Please check your inbox, I’ve sent out details there.

    Thanks,
    Trueler

  40. Also, could you please provide me with the manufacturer and part# of the after market pads and rotors? Thank you again.

  41. Wow. I purchased a used 2003 Infiniti G35 in December 2006. I was replaing my brakes at least every 5-6 months, sometimes less. Thank you so much for this information. I had no idea the brake system was defective. Just two months ago, I had my brakes replaced and rotors resurfaced due to massive squealing..not squeaking. The squealing stopped, but just last week, the brakes are at it again.

    Thankfully, I never went to the dealer for repairs (too costly), but I was purchasing the Infiniti brakes. I will purchase aftermarket brakes from hereon.

  43. I’m having the same problem as everyone posted. Please tell me the manufacturer and part# of the after market pads and rotors. I was told that there are two types or is that correct?

    Thanks

  44. Hi Jason,

    The reason of squealing is the Infiniti brake system itself, not the weather (it is raining these days in Thornhill and Toronto). Service advisors at Willowdale Nissan/Infiniti won’t admit that there is a known problem with Infiniti brakes for sure. They just want to continue grabbing money from customers for often brakes replacement. However they can advise you to consider after market brake rotors and pads instead of defective OEM Infiniti parts. It would be no noise.

    Did it really cost $2400 to replace rear rotors and pads??

    Willowdale Nissan/Infiniti is not the good place to go to fix your vehicle! There are plenty of complaints on service at this dealership. You may read about it here:

    Willowdale Nissan Infiniti Service cheating customers

    Infiniti of Willowdale Dealership Service Review/Complaint – avoid this place!

  45. Hi There,
    I too have a similar problem (2003 G35) as I’ve just had my rear rotors and brake pads replaced ($2400 later) at Willowdale Nissan/ Infiniti. The next day after pickup (dry conditions; not raining outside), whenever I came to a rolling stop, the brakes would squeal quite loudly. Since taking my car back to the dealership, they could not find any problems (in my opinion due to it raining outside and the brakes being wet).
    After driving from the dealership, the noise is still there but not nearly as loud (once again due to the brakes being wet).
    – J

  47. Can you kindly tell me which model / brand is the after market brake rotor / pads? so next time I change it I will try to get the same ones

  48. Hi Jeffrey,

    Thank you for interest!
    Please check your e-mail inbox (which you provided when posting comment). I’ve sent all the details.

  49. Can you kindly tell me which model / brand is the after market brake rotor / pads? so next time I change it I will try to get the same ones (unfortunately I got them replaced about 7000km ago ): )

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