The 2005 FX45 pairs Nissan's VK45DE V8 with the RE5R05A five-speed automatic, a platform shared with the G35/M45. The transmission cooler and engine oil consumption are the two grenades waiting to go off—both can destroy the powertrain if ignored.
Transmission Oil Cooler Failure (Coolant-ATF Cross-Contamination)
Common · high severityTypical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Pink or milky transmission fluid (strawberry milkshake), Transmission slipping, delayed engagement, or limp mode, White smoke from exhaust if ATF enters coolant system, Overheating transmission or engine
Fix: Replace external transmission cooler, flush both transmission (multiple times) and cooling system, replace radiator if internal cooler also failed. If caught late, transmission rebuild required. 8-12 hours labor for cooler/flush, add 18-25 hours if trans needs rebuild.
Estimated cost: $1,200-$1,800 (cooler/flush only), $4,500-$6,500 (with transmission rebuild)
VK45DE Engine Oil Consumption / Piston Ring Failure
Common · high severityTypical onset: 90,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Burning 1+ quart every 500-1,000 miles, Blue smoke on cold start or acceleration, Fouled spark plugs (oil-soaked), Low oil pressure warning if run critically low
Fix: Piston rings fail due to carbon buildup and weak ring design. Proper fix requires engine removal, full teardown, hone cylinders, new rings/bearings/gaskets. 30-40 hours labor. Many owners trade or sell rather than repair.
Estimated cost: $6,000-$9,500
Transmission Mounts (Engine Mounts Also Common)
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse, Excessive vibration at idle, Visible sag or cracking in rubber mount sections, Driveline shudder under acceleration
Fix: Hydraulic mounts fatigue and collapse. Transmission mount is worst offender. Replace all three engine mounts and trans mount as a set for longevity. 3-5 hours labor depending on shop access.
Estimated cost: $800-$1,400
Fuel Pump and Fuel Level Sender Failure
Occasional · medium severityTypical onset: 100,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Fuel gauge stuck at Full, Empty, or erratic readings, Hard starting or stalling when fuel level drops below 1/4 tank, Loss of power under load, Whining noise from rear of vehicle
Fix: Fuel pump assembly includes level sender—both fail. Tank must be dropped for access. 2.5-4 hours labor. Use OEM Nissan pump; aftermarket units fail prematurely on these.
Estimated cost: $700-$1,100
Front Lower Control Arm Bushings
Occasional · low severityTypical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking over bumps from front suspension, Steering wander or vague on-center feel, Uneven front tire wear (feathering on inside edges), Vibration through steering wheel at highway speeds
Fix: Rear bushings in lower control arms tear and allow excessive movement. Replace entire control arms (bushings not sold separately by Infiniti). 2-3 hours labor plus alignment.
Estimated cost: $600-$1,000
Transfer Case Oil Pump Chain (AWD Models)
Occasional · medium severityTypical onset: 90,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Grinding or whining noise from center of vehicle, AWD warning light illuminated, Loss of AWD functionality (stuck in RWD mode), Metal shavings in transfer case fluid
Fix: Internal oil pump chain stretches and fails, starving transfer case bearings. Requires transfer case removal and teardown. 8-12 hours labor. Catch it early or risk full case replacement.
Estimated cost: $1,800-$2,800 (pump/chain), $3,500-$5,000 (full case)
Buy only if under 80k miles with documented trans cooler replacement and no oil consumption—otherwise you're inheriting two $6k+ repairs 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.