The 2009 M45 packs Nissan's VK45DE V8 and a 5-speed automatic that's generally solid, but catastrophic engine failures from cylinder bore scoring plague these motors, often without warning. When the engine goes, it typically requires a full rebuild or replacement, overshadowing otherwise manageable issues.
Catastrophic Engine Failure - Cylinder Bore Scoring
Occasional · high severityTypical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Sudden loss of compression in one or more cylinders, Severe oil consumption (1+ quart per 500-1000 miles), Blue smoke on cold start or acceleration, Rough idle, misfires, loss of power, Metal shavings in oil during changes
Fix: Complete engine rebuild or short-block replacement required. Scoring of cylinder walls from inadequate piston-skirt clearance or oil starvation destroys bore integrity. Expect 25-35 labor hours for rebuild with new pistons, rings, bearings, and machine work, or 18-22 hours for short-block swap plus ancillary seals and gaskets.
Estimated cost: $6,500-12,000
Transmission Oil Cooler Failure
Common · high severityTypical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid mixing with coolant (strawberry milkshake in overflow tank), Transmission slipping or delayed engagement, Engine overheating or erratic temperature gauge, Check engine light with transmission temp codes
Fix: Internal cooler fails inside radiator, cross-contaminating fluids and destroying transmission internals if not caught early. Requires radiator replacement, full transmission fluid flush (sometimes multiple times), and often transmission rebuild if contamination was severe. 8-12 hours labor for cooler/radiator plus flush; add 20+ hours if transmission is damaged.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,500 (cooler/flush only), $4,500-7,000 (if transmission damaged)
Transmission Mounts Collapse
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 60,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking on acceleration or deceleration, Vibration at idle in Drive, Excessive driveline movement felt through shifter or floor, Difficulty engaging gears smoothly
Fix: Hydraulic transmission mounts fail from age and heat. Rear mount most common. Replacement requires lifting transmission slightly. 2-3 hours labor per mount, often do both front and rear simultaneously.
Estimated cost: $450-800
Fuel Filter Clogging and Fuel Pump Wear
Occasional · medium severityTypical onset: 90,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Hard starting, extended cranking, Hesitation or stumble during acceleration, Loss of power at highway speeds, Intermittent stalling, especially when fuel level is low
Fix: In-tank fuel filter and pump assembly often neglected. V8 fuel demands accelerate wear. Requires dropping tank for pump/filter module replacement. 3-4 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $650-1,100
Head Gasket Seepage (External)
Occasional · low severityTypical onset: 100,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Oil seepage at cylinder head mating surfaces (visible externally), Slight oil burning smell after engine reaches full temp, No coolant loss or overheating (external leak only), Oil residue on exhaust manifolds
Fix: External head gasket weeping is common but often non-critical on VK45s. If caught before internal failure, replacement is 12-16 hours labor per bank. Many owners defer until selling or until internal failure forces the issue.
Estimated cost: $2,200-3,800 (both banks)
Takata Airbag Inflator Recall (Multiple)
Common · high severitySymptoms: Recall notice in mail or discovered via VIN check, No symptoms until inflator ruptures in crash (catastrophic shrapnel risk)
Fix: Multiple Takata airbag recalls affect driver and passenger inflators. Infiniti dealers replace at no cost, but parts availability has been intermittent. Verify completion before purchase — inflator rupture can be fatal. 1-2 hours per inflator at dealer.
Estimated cost: $0 (recall repair)
A comfortable highway cruiser with a ticking time bomb under the hood — only for buyers with deep pockets or mechanical skills to swap engines preventively.
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.