Nissan is recalling 134,215 model year 2005 through 2007 Infiniti G35 sedans manufactured from March 29, 2004 through August 25, 2006 and Infiniti G35 coupes manufactured from April 1, 2004 through May 30, 2007. The wire harness connecting the Belt Tension Sensor (BTS) and the Occupant Detection Sensor (ODS) control unit under the front passenger seat can experience relative movement which can cause wear and oxidization of the terminals and may cause interruption of the signal. In the event of a crash, the airbag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury. 10V-175.

During a crash test conducted for the federal government, the passenger air bag in a 2008 Infiniti EX35 failed to deploy, even though it was designed to deploy.  That test was conducted as part of the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), which is used to determine the “star” rating of a new vehicle.   Even though the vehicle was crashed into the barrier at 35 mph, the passenger air bag did not deploy to protect the passenger, but instead stayed hidden in its compartment.  Here is a photo of the passenger and dash area after the test:

2008 Infiniti EX35 post crash test photo with no airbag deployment

The footage of this air bag failure makes it clear that the passenger air bag does not deploy, and that the seat belt allowed the passenger’s head to apparently contact the dash.  According to the abstract of the crash test report, representatives of the manufacturer [Infiniti models are actually designed and/or made by Nissan] determined that there was a problem with the Airbag Control Unit in the vehicle which prevented deployment of the passenger air bag.  As a result of the failure of the air bag to deploy, the passenger’s Head Injury Criterion (HIC) was well above the threshold of 1,000.  Here is the abstract from the crash test report summarizing this information:

2008 Infiniti crash test report abstract