The only reason I am posting to this over flogged thread, is I hope I have something to offer. I picked up my new G35 last week and have been enjoying the car very much. However, this weekend I went on a 350 mile trip to Boise. On the way there the much dreaded numbness begin in my right leg. I was very concerned and hoped it was just going to take some time to get used to the seat.

On the way home the same thing began again. The more I drove the worse it got and more annoyed I became. After about 200 miles I was pissed off that I spent a lot money on a torture device instead of a great car.

Putting the heel of my hand on the pointed part of the right seat bolster cushion just in front of the seat controls I pushed hard until I bent the metal seat pan outward. I pushed it hard enough to halve the distance between the seat controls and the center console. Right now there is about 5/16 of inch clearance and there is no problem with the seat rubbing the console.

What a difference. I could feel the blood return to my leg and the numbness disappeared. I didn't bend it out much over a 1/2" but that all it took.

Controlling how much you bend it might be tricky so do it at your own risk.

 

Did the same thing. Just kept pushing until I almost popped a blood vessel. Now the seat feels much better. I may do some more pushing since I am only at .5 inches from the console. I just love displaced anger!!

 

I just did 400 miles in my X and the seat felt fine. I guess it all depends on the person.

 

This is the e-mail trail of my correspondence with Infiniti about the seat control problem:

> ---- Original Message ----
> From : infinititestbox@sapient.com
> To : NNAConsumerAffairs@nissan-usa.com
> Subject : I need help regarding my vehicle [INTR:162466]
> Date : Mon, 24 Jan 2005 23:04:15 GMT
>
>
> <mileage>2200</mileage>
> <comments>I just recently purchased a 2004 G35. As I have driven the vehicle, it has become noticeable that the seat controls in the seat cushion exert pressure on my upper thigh to the point of it being painful if driving for any length of time. I asked the dealer rep. if there had been any complaints on this issue, and he said he had not heard of any, and he said that the 2005 model has the same design. I am surprised that this was not resolved with the new model year as there has got to be other owners with similar complaints. Currently, I drive 15 minutes each way to work, and as I am sitting here typing this, I can feel what feels like a bruise on my thigh from the pressure from sitting next to the controls. I am 6' 0" 185 pounds and would consider myself to be of average build. It would seem that there should be some kind of retrofit kit available to remedy this problem. Please advise.</comments>
> <source>InfinitiContactUs</source>

nnaconsumeraffairs@nissan-usa.com
01/25/2005 09:08 AM

To:
cc:
Subject: Re: I need help regarding my vehicle [INTR:162466]


Blaine

Thank you for your correspondence to Infiniti. It is always a pleasure to hear from one of our customers who has taken the time to write and provide us with comments about their vehicle.

We are sorry to hear of the concerns you have regarding the design of your 2004 G35. Infiniti is committed to designing and building vehicles that incorporate our customers' needs for styling, performance, quality and safety.

Currently, there is no technical bulletin or kit available in regards to your seat control/cushion concern. We recommend contacting your local Infiniti dealer to review vehicle concerns which may be addressed under warranty.

Thank you again for writing and we wish you many carefree miles with your Infiniti G35.

Sincerely,

Alexander M.
Consumer Affairs Specialist
Infiniti Division


Alexander,

It doesn't appear that a claim against the warranty is a viable option for this problem as it is design related. My purpose in contacting Infiniti is to notify you of the problem hoping that this issue has been or will be addressed by the design team and a solution pursued. This may be something that is correctable for the current model year or a change in subsequent model years; or at the very least you could give directions on how the owners could remedy this problem on their own.

In further discussions with the dealer, they are at a loss as to what could be fixed warranty wise. The only thought that they could come up with, was if somehow the controls were assembled wrong at the factory; but this is not likely as the problem is a result of no padding in the seat area where instead there are the seat controls. In my opinion, this is a result of a paradigm shift to a bad idea. Seat cushions are for sitting, not for hard controls. Had I driven the vehicle for any length of time (longer than a test drive) before making the purchase, I would have chosen a different auto maker .

Blaine

Additionally, I have asked other dealers if they have had any complaints, and they deny that they have had any. Go figure.

 

I bet you didn't hear get a response to this last email did you?

 

Mine has been okay so far. I sat in one of the 2005s and they seem to have improved things.

 

I have no problem with my seats. I have taken a couple of trips where I have driven six or seven hours without any discomfort. I wonder if there could be some assembly problem, where some seat frames are assembled slightly different, placing the adjuster bracket in a position that causes some pressure on the body.

 

You are correct, I did not get a response from the last e-mail that I sent. Also just a note, I sent an abbreviated e-mail trail of this (limited to 2000 characters) to NHTSA. We'll see if anything comes of that.

 

Just wondering if anyone received a pamphlet in the mail from Infiniti. It is on the new M from Infiniti. As far as I can tell, there are no seat controls on the seats. Anyone actually seen one of these cars in person to confirm this??? If this is true, why wouldn't they continue to put the controls on the seat?

 

If you PM Gsedanman he can give you first hand info...
He owns an M45 sport

 

Negative, I sat in one at the Auto Show last week, no controls on the top of the seat, but the G35 still has them there.

 

I've had my '05 coupe for about a month and hadn't noticed a pain problem until recently. I made a 400 mile trip over a two day period and found that my foot was going numb and I started experiencing the pain in my right thigh. I'm going to bring the issue up with the dealership this week to see if they can assist. Based upon this thread, I won't expect too much....

 

I'm bringing this thread back to see if anyone is still experiencing this issues.
I recently start to feel pain in lower back right side and lead me to believe my G coupe caused it. Simply because I never had back issue until I start riding my G in a long drive (40 miles+). I thought the discomfort would go away if I make adjustment around, it appears not. I excercise regularly, play sports and never had a single back issue until now.

I'm going to see an orthopedic doctor specializing in back, I hope nothing major will come out from the xray (surgery etc..).
Anyone have inputs on this? I see there is a TSB with upholster, anyone sucessfully had dealer fix it?

My alternative way is to an aftermarket seats....

Thanks

 

I have had my G for a little over two years (10-04) and have had no back or butt problems with it. My butt has always been larger than it should for my waist size (a family trait that looks better on the women in the family!) and, in addition, I have had back pain almost daily for about 35 years, sometimes slight, sometimes major (for which I take no medications).

So, the seat problems seem to me to be hard to predict and new back problems may not always be from the seat. Good luck with yours and with your trip to the orthopedist.

 

i've had my car for 4 year with no such problem.. seats are pretty comfortable for me. I am 5'10" 155lbs..

do you guys sit up straight? if I drive "like a gangsta" (seat recline a little bit more than normal) my back hurts on ANY CAR (BMW, LEXUS, MB, HONDA, TOYOTA)..

try to sit like a race car driver.. seat ALMOST 90%.. see if that helps. (that's how i sit. much more comfortable, and feel like you are in more control of the car)
if you have a thigh rubbing issue.. then i have a thigh-master 3000 to sell you..