The 2008 FX45 with its VK45DE V8 is a powerful luxury crossover plagued by catastrophic engine failure issues related to the galley gasket defect, plus typical Nissan/Infiniti transmission cooler problems. When the engine doesn't grenade, it's a solid performer, but that's a massive 'if.'
Galley Gasket Failure Leading to Catastrophic Engine Damage
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Low oil pressure warning at idle when engine is hot, Ticking or knocking from lower engine block, Metal shavings in oil during changes, Sudden loss of oil pressure followed by engine seizure
Fix: The internal galley gasket fails, starving rod and main bearings of oil. By the time symptoms appear, bearing damage is often done. Requires complete engine teardown and rebuild or replacement. Budget 35-50 labor hours for rebuild, 18-25 for used engine swap.
Estimated cost: $6,500-12,000
Transmission Oil Cooler Failure and Cross-Contamination
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 90,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission slipping or erratic shifting, Coolant in transmission fluid (strawberry milkshake appearance), Transmission fluid in coolant reservoir, Check engine light with transmission temp codes
Fix: The internal cooler in the radiator corrodes and allows coolant/ATF mixing, destroying the transmission. Requires radiator replacement, complete transmission flush or rebuild if contamination was severe, plus all cooling system hoses. If caught early (flush only), 8-10 hours; if transmission is cooked, add 20-25 hours for rebuild.
Estimated cost: $1,800-7,500
Transmission Mount Failure
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunk when shifting from park to drive or reverse, Vibration during acceleration, Excessive driveline movement visible during throttle transitions
Fix: The hydraulic transmission mount deteriorates, allowing excessive powertrain movement. Replacement is straightforward but requires supporting the transmission. Typically 2-3 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $400-700
Fuel Filter Clogging (High-Pressure In-Tank)
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 100,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Hesitation or stumble under acceleration, Rough idle when fuel level is low, Check engine light with fuel trim codes, Extended cranking before start
Fix: The high-pressure fuel filter is part of the in-tank pump assembly. Nissan/Infiniti doesn't officially list it as serviceable separately, but it clogs with age. Requires dropping the fuel tank and replacing the entire pump module. 3-4 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $650-1,100
Valve Cover Gasket and VTC Solenoid Oil Leaks
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Oil smell from engine bay after driving, Visible oil seepage on valve covers, Oil dripping onto exhaust manifolds causing smoke, Low oil level between changes
Fix: Valve cover gaskets harden and leak, as do the VTC solenoid O-rings on top of each bank. Both valve covers need removal; good time to replace spark plugs and inspect coils. 4-5 hours labor for both sides.
Estimated cost: $800-1,300
Front Lower Control Arm Bushings
Occasional · low severity
Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking over bumps from front suspension, Wandering or imprecise steering feel, Uneven tire wear on inside edges, Steering wheel off-center after hitting bumps
Fix: The front lower control arm bushings wear and tear, especially the rear position. Many techs replace the entire control arm assembly rather than pressing bushings. Requires alignment afterward. 3-4 hours labor for both sides plus alignment.
Estimated cost: $900-1,400
Owner tips
Check oil level religiously every 500 miles and watch for consumption or pressure issues — early detection of galley gasket problems can sometimes allow proactive rebuild before catastrophic failure
Inspect transmission fluid color at every oil change; any hint of pink or milkshake = immediate radiator replacement before transmission is destroyed
Use Nissan/Infiniti genuine transmission fluid only (Matic-S or J) — aftermarket substitutes accelerate valve body wear on the RE5R05A transmission
Budget $1,500-2,000 annually for deferred maintenance catching up if buying high-mileage; these were $50k+ vehicles that many second/third owners can't afford to maintain properly
Only buy if the engine has already been rebuilt with updated galley gaskets and the transmission cooler has been replaced — otherwise you're playing Russian roulette with a $10k repair bill.
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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