2006 Infiniti G35 (3rd-Gen) Common Body & Trim Issues
The 2006 Infiniti G35 sits near the end of the V35-generation run — the sedan's last year before a 2007 redesign, while the coupe carried the same body through 2007. That timing matters for parts shopping, and so does knowing which body style you have. Here's what commonly wears out.
- Headlight housings — yellowing and internal fogging are the most common complaint on this generation, on both sedan and coupe.
- Mirror trim and housings — cracking on the housing shell and chrome or body-color cap fading are typical, especially on power-fold mirrors.
- Sedan and coupe do not share body panels or headlights — even though both are the same generation, always confirm body style before ordering.
- 2006 is the last model year for the V35 sedan before a 2007 redesign — the coupe continued on the same body through 2007.
Know Your Generation: Sedan vs. Coupe Timing Matters
The V35-generation G35 covers 2003–2006 for the sedan and 2003–2007 for the coupe — both riding on the same Nissan FM platform, but with different body panels, headlights, and mirror housings between the two body styles. 2006 was the final model year for the sedan on this body before a 2007 redesign changed the sedan's exterior significantly; the coupe carried on essentially unchanged through 2007.
Before you shop for a part, confirm:
- Body style (sedan or coupe — headlights, mirrors, and most exterior trim are not shared between the two)
- Trim/package (Base, Journey, Sport 6MT on the sedan; various trims on the coupe — some trims used different mirror finishes)
- Whether your car has power-folding or heated mirrors, which affects mirror housing part numbers
This part commonly fits vehicles within its listed year and body style — always confirm against your vehicle's exact trim and the product's fitment data before buying.
Headlight Housing Yellowing and Fogging
This is the most common complaint we hear about the 2006 G35, on both sedan and coupe:
- Lens yellowing and hazing — UV damage to the outer clear-coat on the polycarbonate lens. Very common on cars this age, and more noticeable on the G35's larger headlight housings than on smaller cars. It's a cosmetic and light-output issue, not a sealed-housing failure, and polishing kits help only temporarily.
- Internal fogging or moisture — condensation inside the sealed housing from a failed gasket. Light haze that clears by midday is normal; standing water or fog that never clears means the seal has failed, and a housing replacement is the correct fix rather than a polish job.
Headlights are safety equipment, and the G35's projector-style housings (common on Sport-package cars) can be more expensive to replace than a standard reflector housing — worth confirming which type your car has before assuming a swap will be a like-for-like cost. If you're not confident telling surface yellowing from a failed internal seal, a shop can confirm it in a few minutes.
This part commonly fits [your G35's model year and body style] — always confirm against your vehicle's exact trim and the product's fitment data before buying, since sedan and coupe headlight housings are not interchangeable.
Mirror Trim and Housing Wear
Side mirrors on the G35 fail in a few predictable ways, and this generation's power-fold mirrors add a layer of fitment detail worth knowing:
- Cracked or scraped mirror housings from tight parking spaces, garage pillars, or door-edge contact
- Faded or peeling chrome/body-color caps on the mirror housing, especially on cars parked outside long-term
- Power-fold motor wear — the folding motor can weaken with age, leaving the mirror slow to fold or stuck partway
- Turn-signal mirror wiring on cars equipped with mirror-mounted turn signals (available on some trims) — a failed connection here shows up as a signal that doesn't fire correctly
Before ordering a mirror, confirm:
- Manual or power-adjustable
- Power-folding or fixed
- Heated or non-heated
- Whether it includes a turn-signal indicator
This part commonly fits [your G35's model year, body style, and trim] — always confirm against your vehicle's exact trim and the product's fitment data before buying, since power/heated/turn-signal features vary by trim and aren't always visible from a photo.
A mirror with a turn-signal indicator is a safety-relevant part, not just a convenience feature. If you're not confident matching the wiring correctly during installation, have a professional handle the electrical connection.
OEM vs. CAPA-Certified vs. Aftermarket
| Tier | What It Means | Fit Consistency | Typical Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| OEM | Made by or for Infiniti/Nissan, sold under the Infiniti part number | Highest — matches factory tolerances and finish quality | Owners keeping a G35 close to original spec, especially projector headlights |
| CAPA-Certified | Aftermarket part independently tested against OEM specs for fit, material, and corrosion resistance | High — tested, not just claimed | Insurance repairs, budget-conscious owners who still want tested fit, especially for power/turn-signal mirrors |
| Aftermarket (non-certified) | Third-party manufactured, no independent testing | Varies by manufacturer | Budget repairs, cosmetic-only mirror caps, basic manual mirrors |
On a car this age, many owners choose CAPA-certified or standard aftermarket for headlights and mirrors rather than OEM, given how much OEM pricing has climbed on a now-discontinued model. For projector-style headlights or power-fold mirrors with turn signals, CAPA-certified is worth the extra cost to reduce the odds of a connector or beam-pattern mismatch.
Do You Need to Replace It or Can It Wait?
Replace soon:
- Headlight with standing water or fog that never clears
- Mirror with a cracked housing that leaves the glass loose or exposed
- Turn-signal mirror where the indicator doesn't work at all
Can wait / cosmetic only:
- Light headlight haze that clears by mid-morning
- Faded chrome or body-color mirror cap with the housing otherwise intact
- Mirror fold-motor that's slightly slow but still completes the fold
If you're not sure which category applies, or you're unsure whether your car has the projector headlight package or a turn-signal mirror, checking your VIN against the manufacturer's fitment data is a better bet than guessing from the outside.
FAQ
Do 2006 G35 sedan and coupe headlights interchange? No — sedan and coupe use different body panels and headlight housings on the V35 generation, even though both are the same overall model generation. Always confirm your body style against the product's fitment data.
Why is my 2006 G35 headlight yellow? UV damage to the outer lens clear-coat is very common on cars this age. It's cosmetic and affects light output, not the sealed housing — but standing water or fog that never clears inside the housing means the seal has failed and needs replacing.
Is 2006 the last year for the G35 sedan on this body? Yes — the sedan was redesigned for 2007 with a more contoured body, while the coupe carried on with the same body through 2007 before the G37 redesign arrived for 2008.
How do I know if my G35 has power-folding mirrors? Check whether the mirrors fold in via a dashboard or door switch versus only folding manually by hand — power-folding mirrors use a different motor and connector than manual-fold mirrors, so confirm this before ordering a replacement.
Is CAPA-certified a good choice for a G35 headlight? CAPA-certified headlights are independently tested against OEM specs for fit and function, which is worth considering for a projector-style headlight where beam pattern and housing fit matter more than on a basic reflector headlight.nail photo.