The 2006 FX35 is built on Nissan's FM platform with the VQ35DE V6 and RE5R05A 5-speed automatic. While these components are generally solid, this generation suffers from catastrophic engine oil consumption issues and transmission cooler failures that can total the vehicle if ignored.
Catastrophic Engine Oil Consumption (VQ35DE piston ring failure)
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Burning 1+ quart per 1,000 miles without visible leaks, Blue smoke on cold start or acceleration, Fouled spark plugs and misfires (P0300-P0306), Low oil pressure warning if run too low
Fix: Piston ring replacement requires full engine disassembly. Rings collapse due to oil coking from extended drain intervals. Many owners opt for used low-mileage engine swaps (12-16 hours) over rebuild (25-35 hours) due to labor costs. Prevention: strict 3,500-mile synthetic oil changes.
Symptoms: Milky pink fluid in radiator overflow or transmission dipstick (strawberry milkshake), Transmission slipping, delayed engagement, or no movement, Overheating transmission temp gauge readings, Coolant loss without external leaks
Fix: Internal radiator failure allows coolant into ATF, destroying transmission clutches within miles. Requires radiator replacement, external cooler install, transmission rebuild or replacement (8-12 hours), and complete flush of all cooling systems. Catch it early (just cooler pink) and you may save the trans with flush only (3 hours).
Estimated cost: $800-6,500
Transmission Mount Collapse (rear mount)
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Harsh clunk on 1-2 or 2-3 upshifts, Vibration at idle in Drive, Clunk when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse, Excessive drivetrain movement visible from underneath
Fix: Rear transmission mount (often called crossmember mount) is fluid-filled and fails internally. Replacement is straightforward but requires trans support (2-3 hours). OE Nissan part recommended over aftermarket.
Estimated cost: $350-550
Crankshaft Position Sensor Failure
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 90,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Random no-start condition when hot, Stalling at idle or while driving with immediate restart ability, P0335 or P0340 codes stored, Intermittent tach drop to zero while running
Fix: Sensor located at rear of engine block near bellhousing, heat-soaks and fails. Access requires removing starter and working blind (1.5-2.5 hours). Use OE Nissan sensor only; aftermarket has high failure rate.
Estimated cost: $250-450
EVAP Vent Control Valve Sticking
Occasional · low severity
Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: P0455 or P0442 (large or small EVAP leak), Fuel tank difficult to fill, pump clicks off repeatedly, Hissing sound when opening fuel cap, Check engine light after multiple short trips
Fix: Vent valve near fuel tank fails stuck closed, creating vacuum in tank. Located forward of tank on driver side frame rail (1-1.5 hours). Test with scan tool active test before replacing.
Estimated cost: $250-400
Front Lower Control Arm Bushings
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking over bumps from front suspension, Steering wander or vehicle pulls under braking, Uneven inner tire wear, Vibration through steering wheel 40-60 mph
Fix: Front lower control arm bushings (both front and rear positions per arm) deteriorate. Many techs replace entire arms with bushings pre-installed rather than press bushings (2.5-3.5 hours both sides). Alignment required after.
Estimated cost: $600-1,100
Valve Cover Gasket Oil Leaks
Occasional · low severity
Typical onset: 90,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Oil smell after engine heat-soak, Oil visible on rear of valve covers dripping to exhaust, Oil consumption without smoking (slow external leak), Visible oil residue around spark plug tube seals
Fix: Both valve cover gaskets and spark plug tube seals harden and seep. Replace both covers simultaneously with OE gaskets (3-4 hours). Good time to check/replace ignition coils if never done.
Estimated cost: $450-750
Owner tips
Monitor oil consumption religiously starting at 60k miles; top off every fuel fill if necessary until you can budget for engine work
Install external transmission cooler proactively and check radiator for coolant-ATF mixing every oil change
Use Nissan Matic-S ATF only; aftermarket fluids cause shift issues in the RE5R05A
Keep up with 3,500-mile full synthetic oil changes (0W-40 in high-mileage engines) to slow ring coking
Buy only if under 70k miles with full service records showing religious oil changes and verified no oil consumption; otherwise expect a $5k-10k engine or transmission bill as a when, not if.
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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS · 06V328000
2006-08-31
DURING A CANADIAN COMPLIANCE TEST, CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, 'LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.' THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES DO NOT MEET THE HEADLAMP PHOTOMETRIC VALUES REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Consequence: THIS STANDARD IS TO REDUCE TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS AND INJURIES RESULTING FROM TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS, BY PROVIDING ADEQUATE ILLUMINATION OF THE ROADWAY, AND BY ENHANCING THE CONSPICUITY OF MOTOR VEHICLES ON THE PUBLIC ROADS SO THAT THEIR PRESENCE IS PERCEIVED AND THEIR SIGNALS UNDERSTOOD, BOTH IN DAYLIGHT AND IN DARKNESS OR OTHER CONDITIONS OF REDUCED VISIBILITY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING · 06V244000
2006-07-11
DURING A CANADIAN COMPLIANCE TEST, CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAILED TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, 'LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.' A REAR COMBINATION LAMP ASSEMBLY DID NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS.
Consequence: THIS STANDARD IS TO REDUCE TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS AND INJURIES RESULTING FROM TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS, BY PROVIDING ADEQUATE ILLUMINATION OF THE ROADWAY, AND BY ENHANCING THE CONSPICUITY OF MOTOR VEHICLES ON THE PUBLIC ROADS SO THAT THEIR PRESENCE IS PERCEIVED AND THEIR SIGNALS UNDERSTOOD, BOTH IN DAYLIGHT AND IN DARKNESS OR OTHER CONDITIONS OF REDUCED VISIBILITY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR COMBINATION LAMP ASSEMBLIES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT INFINITI AT AT 1-800-662-6200.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE · 05V555000
2005-12-13
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FUEL FILLER HOSE MAY CRACK AND RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE HOSE WHILE REFUELING.
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILLER HOSE. RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 27, 2006, FOR NISSAN OWNERS, AND ON MARCH 13, 2006, FOR INFINITI OWNERS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
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