The 2010 EX35 shares the FM platform with the G37 and uses Nissan's VQ35HR engine paired with a 5-speed automatic. While generally reliable, this generation suffers from gallery gasket oil consumption issues and transmission cooler failures that can grenade the transmission if ignored.
Oil Gallery Gasket Failure / Excessive Oil Consumption
Common · high severityTypical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: burning 1+ quart per 1,000 miles, blue smoke on startup or acceleration, low oil pressure warning, rough idle as carbon builds up
Fix: The VQ35HR has paper gallery gaskets that fail, starving cylinders of oil and causing ring/bore wear. Proper fix requires engine removal, gasket replacement, honing cylinders, new rings, sometimes pistons. 25-35 labor hours for complete job. Many owners band-aid it by adding oil until engine gives up entirely.
Estimated cost: $4,500-8,000
Transmission Oil Cooler / Radiator Cross-Contamination (SMOD)
Common · high severityTypical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: transmission slipping or shuddering, strawberry milkshake fluid in coolant reservoir, delayed engagement into gear, Check Engine light with trans codes
Fix: The internal trans cooler in the radiator fails, mixing coolant and ATF—destroys the transmission. Must replace radiator, flush cooling system, replace transmission or rebuild it, install external cooler. If caught early (just radiator), 4-6 hours labor. If trans is contaminated, add 12-18 hours for rebuild/replace.
Estimated cost: $800-1,200 (radiator only); $3,500-5,500 (with trans damage)
Timing Chain Tensioner and Guide Wear
Occasional · high severityTypical onset: 100,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: rattling noise on cold start for 2-3 seconds, Check Engine light with cam/crank correlation codes, rough running if chain has jumped
Fix: VQ35HR uses primary and secondary timing chains with plastic guides that wear. If tensioners or guides fail, chain slackness causes noise or valve timing issues—worst case, jumped chain bends valves. Preventive replacement of chains, tensioners, guides: 12-16 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $2,200-3,500
Rear Differential Bushing Failure
Occasional · medium severityTypical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: clunking from rear on takeoff or deceleration, vibration under acceleration, visible torn rubber on diff mount bushings
Fix: The rear subframe bushings and differential mount bushings deteriorate, especially in humid climates. Requires dropping the subframe or exhaust to access. Quality polyurethane replacements recommended over OEM rubber. 4-6 hours labor for all four mounts.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400
Valve Body and Solenoid Issues (RE5R05A Transmission)
Occasional · medium severityTypical onset: 90,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: harsh 2-3 or 3-4 shifts, flare on upshift (RPM spikes before engagement), intermittent limp mode, P0745 or P0868 codes
Fix: The 5-speed auto develops valve body wear and pressure control solenoid failures. Trans must come out for valve body R&R, new solenoids, updated bushings. 8-10 hours labor. Often combined with a full rebuild if mileage is high.
Estimated cost: $1,800-2,800 (valve body); $3,000-4,500 (full rebuild)
Power Steering Pump Failure
Occasional · low severityTypical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: whining noise when turning, especially when cold, heavy steering at low speeds, fluid leaks from pump or lines
Fix: Hydraulic pump seals wear out, causing noise and leaks. Replacement pump is straightforward. 2-3 hours labor, flush system, bleed air. Use genuine Nissan/Infiniti ATF for the PS system.
Estimated cost: $600-900
Buy only if oil consumption history is documented clean and trans cooler has been bypassed or replaced—otherwise you're gambling on two $5k+ repairs.
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.