2004 INFINITI FX45

4.5L V8FWDAUTOMATICgas
5-Year Cost of Ownership
$12,458 maintenance + known platform issues
~$2,492/yr · 210¢/mile equivalent · $5,159 maintenance + $6,599 expected platform issues
Common Problems & Known Issues

The 2004 FX45 pairs Infiniti luxury with a powerful 4.5L V8 and AWD capability, but suffers from catastrophic engine failure due to cylinder liner wear and transmission cooler leaks that can destroy the 5-speed automatic if not caught early.

Cylinder Liner / Piston Ring Failure (VK45DE Engine)

Common · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Excessive oil consumption (1+ quart per 1,000 miles), Blue smoke on cold start or acceleration, Loss of compression and power, Check engine light with misfire codes (P030X series)
Fix: Requires full engine rebuild or replacement. Cylinder liners wear prematurely causing blow-by and oil burning. Some shops sleeve the block, others source low-mileage used engines. Rebuild takes 18-24 labor hours, swap takes 12-16 hours depending on accessories.
Estimated cost: $5,500-9,500

Transmission Oil Cooler Line Corrosion and Leaks

Common · high severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: ATF pooling under vehicle near radiator area, Transmission slipping or harsh shifts after leak develops, Milky transmission fluid if cooler fails internally (fluid cross-contamination), Overheating transmission warnings on dash
Fix: Steel cooler lines rust through where they run along frame rails. If internal cooler fails, coolant mixes with ATF and destroys transmission internals. External leak requires line replacement (3-4 hours). Internal failure requires radiator replacement plus transmission rebuild (20-25 hours total).
Estimated cost: $400-800 (lines only), $4,500-7,000 (with transmission rebuild)

Front Lower Control Arm Bushing Failure

Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking noise over bumps from front suspension, Steering wander or imprecise handling, Uneven tire wear on inside edges, Vibration through steering wheel at highway speeds
Fix: Rubber bushings separate and tear, especially in salt-belt states. Control arms are not serviceable separately—must replace entire arms. Both sides typically done together. 3-4 hours labor plus alignment.
Estimated cost: $800-1,200

Transfer Case Oil Pump Seal Leak (AWD Models)

Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 90,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Gear oil dripping from rear of transmission/front of transfer case, Whining noise from transfer case when accelerating, AWD warning light if fluid level drops significantly, Burning oil smell after highway driving
Fix: Internal seal on transfer case pump wears out. Requires dropping exhaust and driveshaft, removing transfer case for seal replacement. 5-7 hours labor. Neglecting this can starve the transfer case and cause internal damage.
Estimated cost: $900-1,400

Rear Differential Bushing and Mount Wear

Occasional · low severity
Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking when shifting from drive to reverse, Driveline vibration between 40-60 mph, Banging noise under hard acceleration, Visible sagging of differential on inspection
Fix: Rubber mounts and bushings supporting rear differential deteriorate. Requires dropping differential slightly to access mounts. 2-3 hours labor. Often replaced with polyurethane upgrades.
Estimated cost: $400-700

Sunroof Drain Tube Clogs and Water Leaks

Occasional · low severity
Symptoms: Water pooling in front footwells after rain or car wash, Headliner sagging or staining near A-pillars, Musty smell in cabin, Water sloshing sound behind dashboard
Fix: Drain tubes clog with debris and back up, overflowing into cabin. Requires removing A-pillar trim and clearing tubes with compressed air or wire. Sometimes tubes separate at joints and need reattachment. 1-2 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $150-350
Owner tips
  • Check transmission fluid condition religiously—if it's pink/red it's healthy, if milky or dark brown the cooler may have failed internally
  • Monitor oil consumption closely after 80k miles; catching liner wear early can sometimes allow interim ring replacement instead of full rebuild
  • Inspect frame-mounted cooler lines annually in rust-belt areas; wire brush and paint them preventively
  • Use Nissan/Infiniti ATF only—aftermarket fluids accelerate valve body wear in the RE5R05A transmission
  • Clear sunroof drains twice yearly with compressed air to prevent expensive water damage to electronics
Only buy if you can verify engine compression test results and transmission service history—the VK45DE liner issue is a ticking time bomb that can total an otherwise solid luxury SUV.
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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