2012 INFINITI G37

Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi

Symptoms: Excessive oil consumption (1+ quart per 1,000 miles), Blue smoke from exhaust on cold starts or acceleration, Low oil pressure warning if run low, Metal debris in oil, bearing noise if damage progresses

Fix: Gallery gaskets fail internally, starving cylinders of oil and scoring cylinder walls. Requires engine teardown to replace gaskets—8-12 hours labor. If caught late, needs full rebuild with new pistons, rings, bearings, and machine work (40-60 hours). Many shops recommend used engine swap at high mileage due to cost.

Estimated cost: $3,500-5,500 for gaskets alone; $8,000-15,000 for full rebuild or reman engine installed

Typical onset: 60,000-110,000 mi

Symptoms: Milky or strawberry-colored transmission fluid (coolant mixing), Transmission slipping, delayed engagement, or erratic shifting, Overheating transmission or coolant system, Check engine light with transmission codes

Fix: Internal cooler in radiator fails, allowing coolant into ATF and vice versa. Requires new radiator (2 hours), full transmission flush with multiple fluid changes (3 hours), and often transmission replacement if contamination caused clutch pack damage (8-10 hours). Must flush cooling system as well.

Estimated cost: $800-1,200 if caught immediately; $4,500-7,000 with transmission replacement

Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi

Symptoms: Clunking during shifts, especially 1st to 2nd gear, Vibration at idle in Drive, Excessive driveline movement visible when accelerating/braking, Shifter vibration

Fix: Rubber mount deteriorates, allowing excessive drivetrain movement. Requires subframe lowering or partial drop for access—3-4 hours labor for experienced tech. OEM mount recommended over aftermarket.

Estimated cost: $450-750

Typical onset: 90,000-150,000 mi

Symptoms: Check engine light with P0011 or P0021 codes (VVT system), Rough idle or hesitation, Reduced power, especially at higher RPMs, Rattling noise from valve covers on cold start

Fix: Variable Valve Event and Lift (VVEL) system actuators or control solenoids fail. Diagnosis requires scan tool with live data capability (1 hour). Solenoids are 2-3 hours each; actuators require valve cover removal and precise calibration (5-7 hours per bank). Use OEM parts only—aftermarket failures are common.

Estimated cost: $600-1,200 for solenoids; $1,800-3,200 for actuators

Symptoms: Car won't start with 'Steering Lock Malfunction' message, Key stuck in ignition, Clicking noise from steering column when attempting to start, Complete no-start condition

Fix: Electronic steering lock module fails, preventing start. Known issue across Nissan/Infiniti lineup. Module is behind lower dash (2-3 hours). Many owners opt for permanent delete kit to prevent recurrence. TSB but no recall—fails without warning.

Estimated cost: $450-800 for OEM replacement; $150-300 for delete kit installed

Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi

Symptoms: Fuel gauge reads incorrectly or erratically, Gauge stuck at full or empty, Low fuel warning comes on prematurely, Gauge drops to empty then returns

Fix: Fuel level sender unit in tank develops faulty resistor. Requires fuel tank drop and sender replacement (3-4 hours). Must be done with low fuel for safety. Some techs recommend replacing both senders if one fails.

Estimated cost: $500-850