The 2003 FX45 pairs Nissan's VK45DE V8 with a RE5R05A five-speed automatic in a heavy luxury crossover. The platform is robust, but the engine has a catastrophic weakness: improper break-in or oil-change neglect leads to cylinder scoring and premature engine failure, often before 100,000 miles.
VK45DE Cylinder Scoring and Engine Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Excessive oil consumption (1qt per 500-1000 mi), Blue smoke on cold start, Loss of compression, Check engine light with misfire codes, Eventually catastrophic failure with metal shavings in oil
Fix: No halfway fix exists; scored cylinders require complete short-block replacement or reman engine swap. 18-24 labor hours depending on shop familiarity with VQ/VK platform. Many owners find totaled vehicles due to repair cost exceeding value.
Estimated cost: $6,500-12,000
RE5R05A Transmission Oil Cooler Failure and Coolant Cross-Contamination
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid appears milky or 'strawberry milkshake' colored, Delayed or erratic shifting, Coolant loss with no external leaks, Transmission overheating or slipping, Radiator has ATF floating on top of coolant
Fix: Internal radiator-mounted cooler corrodes through, mixing coolant and ATF. Requires radiator replacement, external trans cooler install, complete trans flush (often 3-4x to clear contamination), and filter/fluid service. If contamination ran for weeks, transmission rebuild needed. 6-8 hours for preventive fix, 14-20 if trans needs teardown.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,200 (preventive); $3,500-5,500 (with trans rebuild)
Transmission Mounts Collapsing
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Heavy clunk on 1-2 or 2-3 upshift under throttle, Vibration at idle in Drive, Transmission 'thumps' when engaging Park or Reverse, Visible sagging of trans tail housing on lift
Fix: Hydraulic mounts fatigue from curb weight and V8 torque. Rear trans mount most common, but inspect all three. Replace in pairs minimum. 2.5-3.5 hours with proper lift access.
Estimated cost: $450-750
Front Lower Control Arm Bushings and Ball Joints
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 90,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking over bumps at low speed, Steering wander or vague on-center feel, Uneven inner tire wear, Play detectable with pry bar during inspection
Fix: Bushings deteriorate from weight and AWD torque vectoring stress. Infiniti sells complete assemblies only (no press-in bushings separately). Alignment mandatory after. 3-4 hours both sides with alignment.
Estimated cost: $900-1,400
Headlight Lens Crazing and Moisture Intrusion
Occasional · low severity
Symptoms: Cloudy, yellowed lens appearance, Moisture or condensation inside housing, Reduced night visibility, Bulb life shortened due to heat retention
Fix: UV degradation and seal failure on HID projector housings. Polishing helps short-term, but housings eventually need replacement. OEM discontinued; aftermarket quality inconsistent. 1.5 hours per side for housing R&R.
Estimated cost: $600-1,200 (pair, aftermarket)
Fuel Filter Clogging and Pump Pre-Failure
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 100,000+ mi
Symptoms: Hesitation under moderate-to-heavy throttle, Stumble or surge at highway speeds, Check engine light with lean codes, Hard starting after sitting overnight
Fix: In-tank fuel pump strainer and inline filter both clog if fuel quality poor. Pump module replacement often needed by 120k. Tank drop required. 3-4 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $700-1,100
Owner tips
Change engine oil every 3,500-4,000 miles with quality 5W-30 synthetic; the VK45DE is unforgiving of extended intervals.
Install external transmission cooler immediately and replace radiator proactively at 80k miles to prevent coolant cross-contamination.
Inspect transmission fluid color every oil change; any pink-red turning brown or milky means immediate action required.
Budget $1,500-2,500 annually for deferred maintenance catch-up on any high-mileage example.
Avoid unless you find one with bulletproof engine-rebuild and external-trans-cooler documentation; the VK45DE scoring issue makes most examples ticking time bombs by 80k miles.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
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AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · 20V008000
2020-01-09 · EA15001
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback, 2001-2004 Infiniti I30 and I35, 2002-2003 Inifiniti QX4, 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 and 2006-2010 M35 and M45 vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated, frontal passenger air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators with alternate desiccated inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 888-737-9511 or Infiniti customer service at 888-810-3715.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · 16V349000
2016-05-24 · EA15001
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45, 2003-2004 Infiniti I35, 2006-2010 Infiniti M35 and M45, and 2007-2011 Nissan Versa vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A."
Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Nissan is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45, 2003-2004 Infiniti I35, 2006-2008 Infiniti M35 and M45, and 2007-2008 Nissan Versa vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B."
Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Nissan is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Infiniti I35 vehicles originally sold, or registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began December 21, 2017. All owners should receive a second notice by May 15, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
AIR BAGS · 15V287000
2015-05-15 · EA15001
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2001-2003 Nissan Maxima, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4 and I35, 2003 FX35 and FX45, and 2001 I30 vehicles. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on June 15, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. Note: On December 18, 2015 Nissan informed NHTSA of an amendment of this recall to remove 2004-2005 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 vehicles.
AIR BAGS · 15V226000
2015-04-17 · PE14016
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Infiniti I35, 2003-2005 FX35 and FX45, and 2006 M35 and M45 vehicles originally sold, or currently registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Saipan, Guam, and American Samoa, as well as Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and Georgia, are included. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-701.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS · 06V328000
2006-08-31
DURING A CANADIAN COMPLIANCE TEST, CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, 'LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.' THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES DO NOT MEET THE HEADLAMP PHOTOMETRIC VALUES REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Consequence: THIS STANDARD IS TO REDUCE TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS AND INJURIES RESULTING FROM TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS, BY PROVIDING ADEQUATE ILLUMINATION OF THE ROADWAY, AND BY ENHANCING THE CONSPICUITY OF MOTOR VEHICLES ON THE PUBLIC ROADS SO THAT THEIR PRESENCE IS PERCEIVED AND THEIR SIGNALS UNDERSTOOD, BOTH IN DAYLIGHT AND IN DARKNESS OR OTHER CONDITIONS OF REDUCED VISIBILITY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING · 06V244000
2006-07-11
DURING A CANADIAN COMPLIANCE TEST, CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAILED TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, 'LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.' A REAR COMBINATION LAMP ASSEMBLY DID NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS.
Consequence: THIS STANDARD IS TO REDUCE TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS AND INJURIES RESULTING FROM TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS, BY PROVIDING ADEQUATE ILLUMINATION OF THE ROADWAY, AND BY ENHANCING THE CONSPICUITY OF MOTOR VEHICLES ON THE PUBLIC ROADS SO THAT THEIR PRESENCE IS PERCEIVED AND THEIR SIGNALS UNDERSTOOD, BOTH IN DAYLIGHT AND IN DARKNESS OR OTHER CONDITIONS OF REDUCED VISIBILITY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR COMBINATION LAMP ASSEMBLIES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT INFINITI AT AT 1-800-662-6200.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE · 05V555000
2005-12-13
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FUEL FILLER HOSE MAY CRACK AND RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE HOSE WHILE REFUELING.
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILLER HOSE. RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 27, 2006, FOR NISSAN OWNERS, AND ON MARCH 13, 2006, FOR INFINITI OWNERS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER · 03V476000
2003-11-14
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER MOUNTING BOLTS MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY TIGHTENED. THIS COULD RESULT IN ONE OR BOTH OF THE CALIPER MOUNTING BOLTS LOOSENING.
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, IT WOULD ALLOW THE CALIPER TO ROTATE OR SEPARATE FROM ITS MOUNTING BRACKET. THIS COULD CAUSE THE BRAKE TO FAIL, REDUCING THE VEHICLE'S ABILITY TO STOP. IT COULD ALSO DAMAGE THE WHEEL, CAUSING THE TIRE TO GO FLAT. EITHER ONE OF THESE CONDITIONS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER MOUNTING BOLTS TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE SECURE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JANUARY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · 03V164000
2003-05-05
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE BOLTS WHICH ATTACH THE PROPELLER SHAFT(S) TO THE TRANSAXLE AND DIFFERENTIAL(S) MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ADEQUATELY TIGHTENED.
Consequence: IF THE BOLTS COME LOOSE, THE PROPELLER SHAFT MAY COME OFF THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PROPELLER SHAFT BOLTS AND TIGHTEN THE BOLTS TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 27, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
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