The 2007 FX45 with its VK45DE V8 is a capable luxury SUV undermined by catastrophic engine failure risks and transmission cooler issues that can total the vehicle. When maintained obsessively it's pleasant, but the engine's inherent design flaws make it a gamble after 100k miles.
Catastrophic Engine Failure - Gallery Gasket and Timing Chain Issues
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Sudden loss of oil pressure with no external leaks, Rattling on cold start that doesn't go away after 30 seconds, Metal shavings in oil during changes, Check engine light with cam/crank correlation codes, Complete engine seizure without warning in severe cases
Fix: The VK45DE has a known design flaw where internal gallery gaskets fail and timing chain guides disintegrate. Once oil pressure drops or chains stretch, you're looking at complete engine replacement or full rebuild with updated gaskets and guides. 35-50 labor hours for rebuild, 25-30 for used engine swap.
Estimated cost: $6,000-12,000
Transmission Oil Cooler Failure Leading to Strawberry Milkshake of Death
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Pink or milky transmission fluid on dipstick, Coolant level dropping with no external leaks, Transmission slipping or delayed engagement, Overheating transmission temp warnings, Sweet smell from exhaust or coolant overflow
Fix: The internal radiator transmission cooler fails and cross-contaminates coolant into ATF (or vice versa). Once mixed, the transmission is toast. Requires external cooler bypass installation, radiator replacement, transmission flush or full rebuild, and coolant system flush. 12-18 hours if caught early, 25-35 if transmission needs replacement.
Estimated cost: $2,800-8,500
Transfer Case and Front Differential Fluid Neglect Failures
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 90,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Whining or grinding from center of vehicle during acceleration, Binding sensation when turning at low speeds, Vibration at highway speeds that worsens over time, Clunking when shifting from park to drive, AWD warning light illuminated
Fix: Most owners never service the transfer case or front diff, leading to bearing and gear failures. Transfer case rebuild runs 10-14 hours, front diff 8-12 hours. Many shops just replace with used units to save labor.
Estimated cost: $1,800-4,200
Front Lower Control Arm Bushing Failures
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking over bumps from front suspension, Steering wheel off-center after hitting potholes, Uneven front tire wear on inside edges, Wandering or loose steering feel, Alignment won't hold after fresh adjustment
Fix: The front lower control arm bushings are undersized for this heavy SUV and fail predictably. Infiniti doesn't sell bushings separately, so you're replacing entire arms. 3-4 hours for both sides including alignment.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400
Valve Body and Transmission Solenoid Pack Issues
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 100,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Harsh or delayed 2-3 shift, Slipping between gears under moderate throttle, Transmission stuck in limp mode (3rd gear only), Check engine light with P0745 or P0750 codes, Erratic shifting when transmission is cold
Fix: The RE5R05A transmission has weak solenoid packs and valve bodies that wear internally. Requires pan drop, valve body removal, and solenoid replacement. 6-8 hours labor. Often done when addressing cooler failure.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,200
Fuel Pump and Sending Unit Failures
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: No-start condition with crank but no fire, Stumbling or hesitation under hard acceleration, Fuel gauge reading erratically or stuck on empty, Engine dies at idle after driving, Whining noise from rear of vehicle when key is on
Fix: Fuel pump assemblies fail, often taking the sending unit with them. Tank must be dropped on this AWD model. 4-5 hours labor plus parts.
Estimated cost: $900-1,500
Takata Airbag Inflator Recall Complications
Common · high severity
Symptoms: Airbag warning light illuminated, Recall notice from Infiniti/NHTSA, Passenger airbag deactivation indicator stays on, SRS codes stored for passenger inflator circuit
Fix: Multiple Takata recalls affect this year. Parts availability has been spotty, and some dealers still have backorders. Verify recall completion before purchase. 1-2 hours per inflator replacement.
Estimated cost: $0 (recall repair)
Owner tips
Change transmission fluid every 30k miles and install an external cooler immediately—this is non-negotiable for longevity
Service transfer case and front/rear diff every 40k miles even though manual says lifetime fluid
Watch oil consumption religiously—if it starts burning more than a quart between changes, start budgeting for engine work
Verify all Takata airbag recalls completed with documentation before purchase
Use only Nissan/Infiniti Matic-S ATF—aftermarket fluids accelerate valve body wear
Cold start listening test is critical—any rattle lasting more than 5 seconds means timing chain damage already started
Hard pass unless you're getting it for $4k or less with full service records showing religious fluid changes—the engine time bomb and transmission cooler failures make this a money pit waiting to happen.
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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Nissan North America, Inc. (INFINITI) is recalling certain 2003 INFINITI FX35, 2006-2008 FX35 and FX45 vehicles that previously received a replacement front passenger air bag assembly under recall number 20V-008. The air bag cushion was folded incorrectly, which could increase internal pressure and tear the air bag cushion during deployment.
Consequence: A tear in the air bag may decrease air bag performance, and increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: INFINITI will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on April 19, 2021. Owners may contact INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200. INFINITI's number for this recall is R20C2.
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.
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