The 2006 M45 pairs Infiniti's VK45DE V8 with a 5-speed automatic in a luxury sport sedan package. While the platform is solid, this generation suffers from catastrophic engine failures due to gallery gasket defects and transmission cooler failures that can destroy both the engine and trans.
Gallery Gasket Failure Leading to Engine Destruction
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Low oil pressure warning at idle when hot, Ticking/knocking from valve train especially on cold starts, Oil consumption increases suddenly, Check engine light with oil pressure codes P0524 or P0521, Complete engine seizure in severe cases
Fix: The VK45DE uses porous paper gallery gaskets that disintegrate, starving the top end of oil. Requires engine removal, complete tear-down, replacement of all gallery gaskets with updated metal versions, new timing components, and often machine work if bearings are scored. 30-40 labor hours for proper rebuild with updated gaskets.
Estimated cost: $6,000-12,000
Transmission Oil Cooler Failure Contaminating Both Systems
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 70,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Milky or strawberry-colored transmission fluid, Engine coolant level drops without visible leaks, Transmission slipping or delayed engagement, Engine overheating and rough idle, Trans fails to shift properly after coolant intrusion
Fix: The internal transmission cooler in the radiator fails, allowing coolant into the trans and trans fluid into the cooling system. Requires radiator replacement, complete transmission fluid system flush (multiple cycles), external trans cooler installation, and often transmission rebuild if contamination went undetected. If caught early: 8-10 hours. If trans damaged: add 20-25 hours for rebuild.
Estimated cost: $1,500-3,000 early catch, $4,500-7,500 with trans rebuild
Valve Body and Solenoid Issues in RE5R05A Transmission
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 80,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Harsh 2-3 or 3-4 shifts, Flare on upshifts (RPM spikes before catching), Slipping in 5th gear on highway, Check engine light with P0745 or P0730 codes, Limp mode activation
Fix: The Jatco RE5R05A develops worn valve body bores and failing pressure control solenoids. Requires transmission removal, valve body replacement or rebuild with updated parts, solenoid pack replacement, and complete fluid service. 12-15 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $2,200-3,800
Front Lower Control Arm Bushing Failure
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking from front suspension over bumps, Steering wander and poor highway tracking, Uneven inner tire wear, Vibration through steering wheel at highway speeds, Failed state inspection for play in suspension
Fix: The front lower control arm bushings deteriorate and separate, causing alignment issues and handling problems. Most shops replace the entire control arm assemblies rather than pressing new bushings. Both sides typically need replacement simultaneously. 3-4 hours labor plus alignment.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400
VVEL System Actuator and Sensor Failures
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 90,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Check engine light with P1084 or P1086 codes, Reduced power and sluggish acceleration, Rough idle especially when cold, Engine runs but feels like it's on 6 cylinders, Increased fuel consumption
Fix: Variable Valve Event and Lift system actuators seize or sensors fail. Requires replacement of actuator motor or position sensors on affected bank. Access requires intake manifold removal. 6-8 hours labor per bank if actuator replacement needed.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,500
Fuel Pump and Sending Unit Assembly Failure
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Inaccurate fuel gauge reading (stuck or erratic), Hard starting after sitting overnight, Engine stumble or hesitation under acceleration, Fuel pump whine audible from rear seat area, Stalling when fuel tank below 1/4 full
Fix: The in-tank fuel pump assembly develops failing check valves, worn pump motors, or corroded sending unit contacts. Requires fuel tank drop and complete pump assembly replacement. 4-5 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400
Owner tips
Install an external transmission cooler immediately if not already present—this prevents the radiator cooler failure from destroying the transmission
Check transmission fluid color every oil change; pink/red is good, milky/brown means cooler failure is happening
Use only Nissan/Infiniti Matic-S transmission fluid; aftermarket substitutes accelerate valve body wear
Monitor oil pressure closely—any drop at hot idle is gallery gasket failure beginning
Budget $1,500-2,000 annually for deferred maintenance issues on any example over 100k miles
Avoid unless under 60k miles with impeccable service records and external trans cooler already installed—the gallery gasket and trans cooler failures are financially catastrophic and nearly inevitable.
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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AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · 22E066000
2022-08-09
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain air bag inflator replacement service parts that may have been installed as part of a theft or collision repair. The parts include certain passenger-side air bag inflators designed to fit Infiniti 2002-2003 QX4, 2006-2010 M35 and M45; Nissan 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, and both driver and passenger-side inflators designed to fit 2007-2012 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback vehicles. Please see Nissan's recall report for the specific part numbers. These replacement inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and 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: Dealers will inspect and replace the inflators as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 14, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
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.
AIR BAGS · 15V226000
2015-04-17 · PE14016
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Infiniti I35, 2003-2005 FX35 and FX45, and 2006 M35 and M45 vehicles originally sold, or currently registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Saipan, Guam, and American Samoa, as well as Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and Georgia, are included. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-701.
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 Infiniti M35 and M45 vehicles manufactured April 4, 2004, through October 5, 2010. Over time, the accelerator pedal sensor signal may deteriorate resulting in the output of an incorrect signal causing the engine to go into fail-safe (limp home) mode.
Consequence: In this fail-safe mode, throttle valve deposits may cause the engine to stall when the vehicle is coming to a stop or at idle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the accelerator pedal assembly and reprogram the engine control module, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during November 2013. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
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