2012 INFINITI FX37

Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi

Symptoms: Blue smoke on startup or acceleration, Burning 1+ quart every 500-1000 miles, Fouled spark plugs, Check engine light for misfires, Low oil pressure warning

Fix: VQ37VHR engines develop glazed cylinder walls and stuck piston rings, especially if oil changes were stretched. Short-term fix is more frequent top-offs and catch-can installation. Real fix requires engine teardown, honing, new rings, and often new pistons if scoring is present—12-18 labor hours. Many owners opt for used engine swaps (8-12 hours) or short blocks instead of full rebuilds due to labor cost.

Estimated cost: $4,500-8,000

Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi

Symptoms: Transmission slipping or delayed engagement, Milky or strawberry-colored transmission fluid, Engine overheating simultaneously, Coolant level dropping without visible leaks, Harsh shifting

Fix: Internal radiator leak allows coolant and ATF to mix, destroying the transmission. If caught early (coolant in ATF only), flush transmission repeatedly, replace radiator with external cooler setup—6-8 hours. If transmission is contaminated badly, needs rebuild or replacement plus radiator—add 12-16 hours. This is a known Nissan/Infiniti design flaw across multiple models.

Estimated cost: $2,000-6,500

Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi

Symptoms: Clunking when shifting from Park to Drive/Reverse, Excessive vibration at idle, Shudder during acceleration, Visible transmission sag when inspected on lift

Fix: Hydraulic transmission mount deteriorates, causing driveline movement and NVH issues. Replacement is straightforward but requires supporting transmission—2-3 hours. OEM mount strongly recommended over aftermarket due to poor quality alternatives.

Estimated cost: $400-700

Typical onset: 120,000-180,000 mi

Symptoms: Rattling noise on cold start that fades after 5-10 seconds, Check engine light for cam/crank correlation codes, Rough idle, Loss of power

Fix: VQ37 uses secondary timing chains prone to guide wear if oil changes neglected. Requires front cover removal, replacing guides, chains, tensioners, and often VVT actuators—10-14 hours. Catching this early (at rattle stage) prevents catastrophic engine damage from jumped timing.

Estimated cost: $2,800-4,200

Typical onset: 90,000-130,000 mi

Symptoms: Hard starting, especially when hot, Stumbling or hesitation under load, Intermittent stalling, Limp mode activation, Fuel smell from tank area

Fix: In-tank fuel filter (part of pump assembly) clogs or pump weakens. Requires fuel tank drop and complete assembly replacement—3-4 hours. Infiniti doesn't sell filter separately. Using quality fuel and keeping tank above 1/4 extends life.

Estimated cost: $800-1,400

Typical onset: 100,000-150,000 mi

Symptoms: Erratic shifting or gear hunting, Transmission slipping in specific gears (often 3rd or 5th), Check engine light with solenoid codes (P0745, P0750, P2757), Delayed downshifts

Fix: RE7R01A transmission develops solenoid failures or conductor plate wear. Requires transmission pan drop, valve body removal, solenoid replacement, and new conductor plate—5-7 hours. Often found during diagnosis of shifting issues before full transmission failure.

Estimated cost: $1,200-2,200