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).
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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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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