The 2010 Infiniti M45 with its VK45DE 4.5L V8 is a capable luxury sedan undermined by catastrophic engine gallery gasket failures that contaminate the oil system and destroy internal components. When maintained religiously and caught early, they're excellent drivers, but most examples are ticking time bombs past 80k miles.
Oil Gallery Gasket Failure Leading to Complete Engine Destruction
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 75,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Metal flakes or glitter in oil during changes, Low oil pressure warning, especially at idle when hot, Ticking or knocking from upper engine, Excessive oil consumption (1qt per 500-1000 miles), Check engine light with bearing-related codes
Fix: The VK45 has internal oil gallery gaskets that deteriorate and allow metal shavings to circulate through the entire oil system. Once contamination begins, bearings score and pistons wear rapidly. Early catch requires engine-out gasket replacement with full system flush (18-22 hours). Advanced cases need short block or complete rebuild with crank grinding, new bearings, pistons, rings (35-45 hours). Many shops won't attempt repair due to contamination extent — recommend reman or used engine instead.
Estimated cost: $8,500-15,000
Transmission Oil Cooler Failure and Cross-Contamination
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 90,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid appears milky or strawberry-colored, Coolant level dropping with no external leaks, Delayed or harsh shifts, slipping, Transmission overheating warnings, Check engine light with transmission temp codes
Fix: The internal transmission cooler in the radiator develops leaks that allow coolant into the ATF and vice versa. This destroys the transmission rapidly. Requires radiator replacement, complete transmission fluid system flush with new cooler lines, and often transmission rebuild if contamination ran more than a few days (12-16 hours for cooler/flush, add 20-25 hours if transmission damaged). Must replace radiator at first sign — do not delay.
Estimated cost: $1,800-7,500
Transmission Mounts Collapsing
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunk or thud when shifting from Park to Drive/Reverse, Vibration at idle in gear that smooths in neutral, Excessive driveline lash on acceleration, Visible sagging or oil-soaked rubber on mount inspection
Fix: The hydraulic transmission mount fails from age and heat cycling. The front mount takes most abuse. Requires lifting transmission slightly for access (3-4 hours for front mount, 4-5 hours if doing both front and rear). OEM mounts strongly recommended — aftermarket versions collapse within 20k miles.
Estimated cost: $450-850
Takata Airbag Inflator Recall Complications
Occasional · high severity
Symptoms: Airbag warning light illuminated, Recall notice from Infiniti (check VIN at NHTSA), SRS codes stored for driver or passenger inflator, Potential explosive deployment with metal shrapnel risk
Fix: Multiple Takata airbag recalls affect this year (3 passenger-side, 1 driver-side campaigns). Parts availability has been problematic — some owners wait months for replacement inflators. Replacement is free at dealers but must be scheduled. Do NOT ignore this — defective inflators can rupture and send metal fragments into cabin. Verify recall completion before purchase (2-3 hours per side when parts available).
Estimated cost: $0 (recall)
Fuel System Issues from Clogged High-Pressure Filter
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Hard starting, especially when hot, Loss of power under acceleration, Rough idle or stumbling, Fuel pressure codes (P0087, P0191), Limp mode activation
Fix: The high-pressure fuel filter is inside the tank and rarely serviced. Contaminants restrict flow and starve the direct injection system. Requires tank drop and pump module removal (4-5 hours). Filter is cheap but labor-intensive. Often discovered during pump replacement. Use top-tier fuel and replace every 60k miles as preventive.
Estimated cost: $550-850
TPMS Sensor Battery Failure
Occasional · low severity
Typical onset: 80,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: TPMS warning light solid (not flashing), One or more tire pressures not reading on display, Intermittent loss of signal from specific wheel, System fault message after battery replacement in sensor
Fix: Original TPMS sensors have non-replaceable batteries that die around 8-10 years. Requires new sensor units and reprogramming (0.5 hours per wheel). If doing tires anyway, budget for all four sensors. Some aftermarket sensors don't communicate properly with Infiniti system — stick with OEM or quality equivalents like Schrader EZ-Sensor.
Estimated cost: $400-650
Owner tips
Change oil every 3,500-4,000 miles with quality synthetic — frequent short trips accelerate gallery gasket degradation
Inspect oil for metallic particles at every change; catch gallery gasket failure early and you might save the engine
Flush transmission fluid every 30k miles and inspect for coolant contamination — this prevents $6k transmission replacement
Check radiator for transmission fluid in coolant and vice versa every oil change after 80k miles
Keep all Takata recall documentation and verify completion before any used purchase
Only buy with comprehensive service records proving religious oil changes and recent transmission fluid analysis showing no coolant cross-contamination — otherwise you're gambling on a $15k engine replacement.
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.
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.
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS · 09V393000
2009-10-05
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WASHINGTON D.C., WEST VIRGINIA AND WISCONSIN. THE MATERIAL IN THE NUT USED TO SECURE THE SENSOR-TRANSMITTER OF THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) MAY CORRODE AND POTENTIALLY CRACK IN AREAS WITH HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT. IF THIS OCCURS, THE NUT MAY COME OUT OF THE SENSOR-TRANSMITTER AND THE TPMS LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE.
Consequence: IF THE TPMS LAMP IS DISREGARDED AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO BE DRIVEN IN THIS CONDITION, THE TIRE WILL QUICKLY LOSE AIR PRESSURE AT A CONSISTENT RATE RESULTING IN A FLAT TIRE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE TPMS NUT WITH A NEW, MORE ROBUST NUT. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER 9, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 AND INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
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