The 2004 FX35 is a first-gen luxury crossover built on the FM platform with Nissan's VQ35DE V6. While the chassis and AWD system are generally robust, this model year suffers from catastrophic engine oil consumption issues and transmission cooler failures that can cascade into expensive repairs.
VQ35DE Engine Oil Consumption / Piston Ring Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Excessive oil consumption (1 quart per 500-1,000 miles), Blue smoke from exhaust on startup or acceleration, Low oil pressure warning or rough idle, Check engine light with misfire codes (P0300-P0306)
Fix: VQ35DE engines in this era suffer from piston ring land failure and oil control ring coking. Proper fix requires engine teardown, re-ring job, or short block replacement. Often cylinder scoring means full rebuild or used engine swap. 18-28 labor hours for rebuild, 12-16 for swap.
Symptoms: Pink or milky transmission fluid (coolant mixing), Transmission slipping, delayed engagement, or no forward gears, Overheating transmission temp warnings, Engine coolant looks brown or has oily sheen
Fix: Internal cooler in radiator fails, allowing coolant and ATF to mix. Destroys transmission internals if driven. Requires radiator replacement, transmission rebuild or replacement, full fluid flushes of both systems, all cooler lines. 14-20 labor hours total.
Estimated cost: $3,800-6,200
Transmission Mounts Collapse
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunk or thud when shifting from Park to Drive/Reverse, Vibration at idle in gear, Excessive drivetrain movement felt during acceleration, Visible sagging of transmission when inspected on lift
Fix: Hydraulic transmission mounts wear and collapse, especially rear mount. Requires subframe drop for rear mount access. 3-5 labor hours for rear mount, 1.5-2 for front.
Estimated cost: $450-900
Front Lower Control Arm Bushings
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking over bumps from front suspension, Steering wander or vague on-center feel, Uneven tire wear on inside edges, Failed state inspection for excessive play
Fix: Front lower control arm bushings are not serviceable separately—requires complete arm replacement both sides. Alignment mandatory after. 3-4 labor hours plus alignment.
Estimated cost: $800-1,200
Fuel Sending Unit / Fuel Pump Failure
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 100,000-160,000 mi
Symptoms: Fuel gauge reading erratically or stuck, Intermittent no-start or stalling when tank below 1/4, Whining noise from rear when key on, Check engine light with fuel system lean codes
Fix: Fuel pump assembly or level sender fails. Requires dropping fuel tank. 2.5-4 labor hours depending on rust/corrosion of tank straps and shields.
Estimated cost: $650-1,100
Headlight Lens Hazing and Moisture Intrusion
Occasional · low severity
Symptoms: Clouded or yellowed headlight lenses reducing output, Condensation inside headlight assemblies, Failed state inspection for headlight aim/brightness, HID bulbs failing prematurely due to moisture
Fix: Headlight assemblies develop seal failures and UV damage. Polishing helps temporarily but replacement often needed for proper beam pattern. OEM assemblies are expensive; quality aftermarket available. 1-2 labor hours.
Estimated cost: $400-1,200
Rear Differential Bushing Wear (AWD Models)
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking from rear on acceleration or deceleration, Vibration at highway speeds, Visible differential movement or torn bushings on inspection, Whining or howling from rear (if bushing failure damages bearings)
Fix: Rear differential mount bushings deteriorate causing excessive movement. Subframe bushings often need replacement at same time. 4-6 labor hours for differential mounts and subframe bushings together.
Estimated cost: $700-1,300
Owner tips
Check oil level every fillup—these engines consume oil even when 'healthy.' Carry a quart in the cargo area.
Inspect transmission fluid color monthly. Any pink tint means immediate radiator replacement before transmission damage occurs.
Use Nissan/Infiniti OEM transmission fluid only (Matic-J for RE5R05A). Aftermarket fluids cause shifting issues.
Budget $1,000-1,500/year for deferred maintenance items if buying over 100k miles—these nickel-and-dime you.
Pre-purchase inspection must include compression test, oil consumption check, and transmission fluid analysis—deal-breakers are common.
Only buy if under 80k miles with impeccable service records and you have $3k-5k emergency fund for engine failure—this is a gamble, not a value.
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.
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