The 2008 Infiniti M35 uses Nissan's VQ35HR V6 paired with a 5-speed automatic (RE5R05A). While the chassis is solid, this generation suffers from catastrophic engine failures due to timing system defects and transmission cooler issues that can destroy both the engine and transmission.
Timing Chain Guide and Galley Gasket Failure Leading to Engine Destruction
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Cold-start rattle lasting 3-5 seconds (early warning sign), Check engine light with timing correlation codes (P0011, P0021), Metallic rattling from front of engine that worsens over time, Sudden catastrophic failure: loss of oil pressure, seized engine, metal shavings throughout oil system
Fix: The VQ35HR has a design flaw where timing chain secondary tensioners wear and galley gasket O-rings deteriorate, causing oil starvation to the timing components. Fragments contaminate the entire engine. Proper fix requires complete engine rebuild with updated components (tensioners, guides, galley gaskets) or replacement with a newer VQ35HR. Labor: 25-35 hours for rebuild, 18-22 hours for used engine swap.
Estimated cost: $6,500-12,000
Transmission Oil Cooler Contamination (Radiator End Tank Failure)
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Milkshake appearance in coolant overflow (transmission fluid mixing with coolant), Transmission slipping, delayed engagement, or complete failure shortly after coolant contamination, Pink or strawberry-colored residue in radiator or overflow tank, Engine overheating combined with transmission issues
Fix: The internal transmission cooler in the radiator develops cracks, allowing coolant and ATF to cross-contaminate. Once this happens, transmission is typically destroyed within days. Requires radiator replacement with external transmission cooler installation, complete transmission flush or replacement, and full cooling system flush. If caught early (within 24 hours): 8-10 hours labor. If transmission damaged: add 12-16 hours for transmission R&R and rebuild/replacement.
Estimated cost: $1,800-2,500 if caught early, $5,000-8,500 with transmission damage
Transmission Valve Body and Solenoid Pack Failure
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 90,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Harsh 2-3 or 3-4 upshifts, especially when cold, Flare or slip during shifts under load, Check engine light with shift solenoid codes (P0745, P0750, P2761), Erratic shifting patterns or delayed downshifts
Fix: The RE5R05A transmission's valve body solenoids stick or fail, particularly the line pressure and shift solenoids. Requires transmission pan drop, valve body removal, solenoid pack replacement, and often valve body reconditioning. Labor: 6-8 hours. Some shops replace the entire valve body assembly to avoid comebacks.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,200
Front Lower Control Arm Bushings and Ball Joints
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking over bumps from front suspension, Vibration or shimmy during braking, Uneven or cupped tire wear on inside edge, Wandering or vague steering feel
Fix: The front lower control arms use pressed-in bushings that deteriorate and crack, and the ball joints wear. Infiniti sells only complete control arm assemblies (no serviceable bushings). Both sides should be done simultaneously. Labor: 3-4 hours for both sides. Alignment required afterward (add 1 hour).
Estimated cost: $900-1,400
Rear Differential Fluid Contamination and Bearing Failure
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 100,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Whining or howling noise from rear on acceleration or deceleration, Clunking when shifting from reverse to drive, Vibration at highway speeds that changes with throttle input, Metallic particles in differential fluid during service
Fix: The rear differential sees neglect (Infiniti spec is 'lifetime' fluid, which is nonsense). Bearings wear and create metal contamination. If caught early with fluid change using proper 75W-90 GL-5, can extend life. Once bearings howl, requires differential teardown and rebuild. Labor: 8-12 hours for rebuild.
Estimated cost: $150-250 for preventive fluid change, $1,800-3,000 for rebuild
Power Steering Pump Failure and High-Pressure Hose Leaks
Occasional · low severity
Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Whining noise from engine bay that increases with steering input, Heavy steering effort, especially at low speeds, Power steering fluid leaking near firewall or under pump, Groaning when turning wheel at full lock
Fix: The hydraulic power steering pump develops internal wear, and the high-pressure hose (running along firewall) cracks at crimp points. Pump replacement: 2-3 hours. High-pressure hose: 3-4 hours (requires removing intake components for access). Replace both simultaneously to avoid comeback.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400
Owner tips
Change transmission fluid every 30,000 miles with Nissan Matic-S ONLY—aftermarket fluids cause valve body issues
Install an external transmission cooler immediately and bypass the radiator's internal cooler to prevent cross-contamination
Listen for ANY cold-start rattle; if present, budget for engine work NOW before catastrophic failure
Service rear differential at 60k with 75W-90 GL-5 synthetic regardless of 'lifetime fill' nonsense in the manual
Pre-purchase inspection MUST include borescope of timing chain area and transmission fluid analysis—walk away if metal is present
Avoid unless under 60,000 miles with full service records proving timing components and transmission cooler have been addressed—the VQ35HR timing failure is a financial hand grenade.
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:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · 22E066000
2022-08-09
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain air bag inflator replacement service parts that may have been installed as part of a theft or collision repair. The parts include certain passenger-side air bag inflators designed to fit Infiniti 2002-2003 QX4, 2006-2010 M35 and M45; Nissan 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, and both driver and passenger-side inflators designed to fit 2007-2012 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback vehicles. Please see Nissan's recall report for the specific part numbers. These replacement inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and 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: Dealers will inspect and replace the inflators as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 14, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
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 · 17V028000
2017-01-10 · EA15001
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2012 Nissan Versa hatchbacks 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, if not included in "Zone A" above, Nissan is recalling certain 2009-2010 Infiniti M35 and M45 and 2009 Nissan Versa sedans and hatchbacks originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the 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".
Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Nissan is recalling certain 2005-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45, 2006-2010 Infiniti M35 and M45, and 2007-2008 Nissan Versa vehicles originally sold, or ever 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 used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, 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 front passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began on June 8, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
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.
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 Infiniti M35 and M45 vehicles manufactured April 4, 2004, through October 5, 2010. Over time, the accelerator pedal sensor signal may deteriorate resulting in the output of an incorrect signal causing the engine to go into fail-safe (limp home) mode.
Consequence: In this fail-safe mode, throttle valve deposits may cause the engine to stall when the vehicle is coming to a stop or at idle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the accelerator pedal assembly and reprogram the engine control module, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during November 2013. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS · 09V393000
2009-10-05
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WASHINGTON D.C., WEST VIRGINIA AND WISCONSIN. THE MATERIAL IN THE NUT USED TO SECURE THE SENSOR-TRANSMITTER OF THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) MAY CORRODE AND POTENTIALLY CRACK IN AREAS WITH HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT. IF THIS OCCURS, THE NUT MAY COME OUT OF THE SENSOR-TRANSMITTER AND THE TPMS LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE.
Consequence: IF THE TPMS LAMP IS DISREGARDED AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO BE DRIVEN IN THIS CONDITION, THE TIRE WILL QUICKLY LOSE AIR PRESSURE AT A CONSISTENT RATE RESULTING IN A FLAT TIRE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE TPMS NUT WITH A NEW, MORE ROBUST NUT. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER 9, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 AND INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
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