The 2006 M35 shares the FM platform with the 350Z and G35, combining the VQ35DE V6 with a 5-speed automatic. Generally reliable mechanicals, but suffers from catastrophic engine failures due to oil consumption and transmission cooler contamination issues that can bankrupt an otherwise solid platform.
Transmission Oil Cooler Failure Leading to Transmission Contamination
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Pink milkshake mixture in coolant overflow tank, Transmission slipping or delayed engagement, Overheating transmission or engine, Strawberry milk appearance when checking transmission fluid
Fix: Internal transmission cooler fails, allowing coolant and ATF to mix. Requires new radiator, full transmission flush or rebuild depending on contamination severity, all cooler lines replaced. 8-12 hours labor if caught early with flush only; 18-25 hours if transmission needs rebuild.
Estimated cost: $1,200-5,500
VQ35DE Excessive Oil Consumption and Catalytic Converter Damage
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 90,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Burning one quart of oil every 500-1,000 miles, Blue smoke from exhaust on startup or acceleration, Check engine light with P0420/P0430 catalyst efficiency codes, Rough idle and reduced power, Oil fouled spark plugs
Fix: Piston ring lands wear excessively on cylinder walls 5 and 6 specifically. Oil burns through cats, destroying them. Proper fix requires engine removal, bore/hone, new pistons and rings, valve stem seals, timing components, and both catalytic converters. 35-45 hours labor. Many owners attempt bandaid fixes with high-mileage oil or catch cans that only delay the inevitable.
Estimated cost: $6,500-9,500
Rear Main Seal and Oil Pan Gasket Leaks
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 100,000-160,000 mi
Symptoms: Oil spots on driveway concentrated at rear of engine, Oil coating on transmission bellhousing, Visible seepage at engine-to-transmission mating surface, Low oil warnings without obvious external leaks up top
Fix: Rear main seal deteriorates, often goes unnoticed until major. Transmission must be dropped to access. Often done alongside oil pan gasket which also seeps. Smart to do both plus transmission mount at same time. 10-14 hours labor with transmission removal.
Estimated cost: $1,400-2,200
Transmission Mounts Collapsing
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Heavy clunk when shifting from reverse to drive, Vibration through chassis at idle in gear, Visible sag when inspecting transmission from underneath, Excessive driveline movement when accelerating hard
Fix: Hydraulic transmission mount fails, allowing excessive powertrain movement. Replace mount and inspect engine mounts while underneath. 2-3 hours labor, straightforward job but requires proper lifting.
Estimated cost: $400-650
Takata Airbag Inflator Recall Completion
Common · high severity
Symptoms: Recall notice received but not completed, Airbag light may or may not be illuminated, Driver and/or passenger airbag potentially explosive
Fix: Multiple Takata recalls affecting driver and passenger frontal airbags. Inflators can rupture violently, sending metal shrapnel into cabin. Parts availability was problematic for years. Verify completion with VIN check at Infiniti dealer before purchase. 1-2 hours per side at dealer, free under recall.
Estimated cost: $0
IPDM-E (Intelligent Power Distribution Module) Failure
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 90,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: No-start condition with no crank, Fuel pump not priming, Random electrical accessories failing intermittently, Multiple warning lights on dash with no stored codes
Fix: Engine bay fuse box/relay module develops internal failures, often fuel pump relay circuit. Replacement requires programmed module from dealer. 2-3 hours labor plus expensive module and programming.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400
Owner tips
Check oil level every 500 miles religiously — oil consumption kills these engines and it progresses quickly once started
Inspect coolant overflow for ANY pink/milky contamination immediately, catches radiator failure before transmission death
Budget $500-800/year for deferred issues if buying high-mileage — these need consistent attention past 100k
Use Nissan/Infiniti Matic-S fluid only for transmission, aftermarket equivalents cause valve body issues
Verify all Takata recalls completed before purchase, some owners still driving around with live grenades in steering wheel
Buy only if under 80k miles with meticulous service records and budget for inevitable engine work — a $6k ticking time bomb attached to an otherwise pleasant luxury sedan.
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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