Identifying the Right Windshield for the J50 Infiniti QX50
When Infiniti rebranded the EX35 and EX37 line into the QX50 nameplate, the vehicle kept the same glass aperture from the original J50 platform. That means the windshield dimensions directly mirror the earlier EX crossovers, but selecting the correct replacement comes down to your driver assistance package. I look at the area right behind your rearview mirror to determine whether your vehicle needs NAGS part FW02904 or FW02905.
Both versions feature green solar-absorbing glass topped with an integrated blue sun shade band, along with a factory-bonded ceramic frit border and mirror mount. The fundamental difference lies in active safety equipment:
- FW02904 (equivalent to Nissan dealer code G2700-1BA2A): Designed for base and Journey trims without driver assistance packages. It carries no forward-facing camera mounting bracket at the roofline.
- FW02905: Required on vehicles outfitted with the Technology Package. This glass comes equipped from the factory with a dedicated structural bracket to mount the forward-facing camera used for Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Lane Departure Prevention (LDP).
Neither variation incorporates an electric wiper de-icer wire grid, an embedded radio antenna, or head-up display hardware. However, models equipped with automatic wipers rely on an optical rain and light sensor attached directly behind the rearview mirror. Whenever I switch out a rain-sensing windshield on this crossover, the sensor housing (associated with assembly 28536-JG00C) must be set up with a fresh optical gel pad, as air bubbles trapped under the old gel will disrupt the infrared beam and cause the wipers to misfire.
Cowl Alignment and Upper Trim Sealing
The side glass perimeter on this crossover sits flush against bare sheet metal A-pillars without plastic exterior side moldings, which leaves no room to hide irregular glass depth. At the roofline, Infiniti relies on a flexible top reveal molding (part number 72751-1LA0A, matched in the aftermarket trade as GGG 2904). This upper rubber seal deforms upon removal, so I always fit a brand-new top molding to prevent high-speed wind buffeting and cabin water leaks into the front footwells.
I fit exclusively aftermarket glass on every job, sourcing reliable units produced by manufacturers like Pilkington, PGW, FYG, and XYG to ensure strict optical clarity around the camera bracket and mirror zone.
The lower edge introduces another known issue with this body style: the two-piece plastic leaf screen cowl. Fastened across the firewall with plastic push-pins and tension clips, this cowl panel frequently distorts if it is forced or seated incorrectly. A warped or unseated cowl edge fails to lay flat against the lower glass border, vibrating against the windshield at highway speeds and generating an annoying buzz inside the cabin. Getting the cowl clips properly aligned into the body troughs is essential to keep the engine bay sealed and the cabin quiet.
Can I reuse the rain sensor gel pad from my broken windshield?
No. The silicone gel pad tears and collects dust particles during removal. Reusing a compromised pad creates tiny air pockets between the glass and the sensor prism, which reflects the sensor's infrared light back into the receiver and leads to erratic wiper activation or total system failure.
Why is my lower windshield cowl lifting up after glass replacement?
The two-piece plastic leaf cowl on the QX50 relies on fragile plastic retaining clips underneath the wiper motor transmission. If these clips are bent, missing, or pushed into the firewall off-angle, the cowl panel bows upward, creating a visible gap along the bottom edge of the glass that rattles in heavy crosswinds.
Do all 2014–2017 QX50 windshields interchange with older EX35 glass?
Yes. The physical opening and dimensions of the J50 platform did not change during the transition from the Infiniti EX35/EX37 to the QX50. Provided you match the specific camera bracket configuration (FW02904 for standard glass, FW02905 for Lane Departure systems), the glass from those earlier model years shares identical fitment.
