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Model file · InfinitiUpdated · 17 sources

Selling a dead or junk Infiniti FX45

The FX45 has more recall campaigns on file at NHTSA than it has complaints in most single years: 13 campaigns, against 67 owner complaints in total. Six of those campaigns are about the front passenger air bag. Before you do anything else with an old FX, run its VIN.

A silver first-generation Infiniti FX45 SUV parked in a lot, seen from the front right, with a red car behind it
Photo: TTTNIS · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Model years in EPA data
2003-2013 (FX45 and FX50)
V8 engines
4.5 VK45DE, later 5.0 VK50VE
Recall campaigns
13
Passenger air bag recalls
6
Complaints to NHTSA
67
Year with the most complaints
2003 (25)

If the V8 is tired, the transmission slips or the repairs have piled up, we buy whole non-running and junk cars. You sell the whole car as it sits, with free pickup anywhere in the US.

Two generations of the V8 FX

First generation (S50), built November 2002 to February 2008. Wikipedia lists the 4.5-liter VK45DE V8 that gives the FX45 its name, a 5-speed automatic, and assembly in Hiratsuka, Japan. Nearly the whole complaint file sits here: the 2003 to 2007 model years have 61 of 67.

Second generation (S51), built March 2008 to March 2013 in Tochigi. The V8 grew to a 5.0-liter VK50VE and the badge became FX50, which is why the EPA data for this page lists FX45 AWD, FX50 and FX50 AWD. These later years have few complaints. The line later became the QX70.

The recalls, by what they fix

Passenger air bag, six campaigns. 15V226 and 15V287 (2015), 16V349 (2016), 17V028 (2017), 20V008 (2020) and 21V139 (2021). Dealers replace the inflator or, on 21V139, the whole passenger air bag module on 2006-2008 FX45s whose earlier 20V008 fix gets redone. Some of these campaigns started with cars sold or registered in certain states. Their vehicle counts, from 12,606 to 1,090,569, cover every model in each campaign, including Nissans and other Infinitis.

Early build problems, 2003. 03V164: propeller shaft bolts may not have been tightened enough (164 vehicles). 03V476: front brake caliper mounting bolts may loosen (24,300 vehicles).

2003-2006 parts. 05V555: the fuel filler hose may crack and leak during refueling (192,659 vehicles, passenger cars included). 06V244 and 06V328: rear lamps and headlamps failed a Canadian compliance test (105,200 vehicles each). 05V338 covers rear child seat anchors on the 2005.

Steering. 15V054 replaces the steering shaft; NHTSA lists the FX45 for the 2009 model year. Its 16,973 count also covers EX35 and FX35 models.

FX45 complaints and recalls by model year

FX45 and FX50 complaints from NHTSA's October 10, 2026 file. Because most campaigns span more than one model year, the recall column totals more than 13.

Model yearComplaintsRecallsTop components
2003259Air bags 5, power train 4, structure 4
2004207Air bags 5, latches/locks 4, seats 2
2005119Air bags 4, latches/locks 2
200647Air bags 3
200714Air bags 1
200834Latches, lighting, air bags
200921Latches, tires
2010none on file0-
201110Unknown or other
2012-2013none on file0-

Fix the FX or sell it?

Recall work only covers the listed campaigns, not ordinary wear on an old V8 SUV. Get quotes for the other FX45 repairs and weigh them against a running FX from that year. When the margin is slim, selling it broken skips the risk. An unfinished air bag recall does not stop a sale; see selling with an open recall and our junk SUV guide.

Selling the FX45 whole

  1. Have the FX's VIN and mileage handy, plus what quit.
  2. Get an offer online or call (877) 421-6008.
  3. Say where the FX sits and if it can roll; a heavy AWD SUV needs the right truck. Pickup is free anywhere in the US.
  4. Leave the wheels, converters and battery in place.
  5. Have the title and keys at pickup.

Also on the site: the FX35, the QX4 and all Infiniti models.

Questions people ask

Why does the FX45 have so many recalls?
Six of its 13 campaigns cover the front passenger air bag, issued from 2015 to 2021 as replacement inflators and modules were rolled out. The rest cover brake caliper bolts, propeller shaft bolts, child seat anchors, the fuel filler hose, lamps and the steering shaft.
Which FX45 year has the most NHTSA complaints?
The 2003, its first year: 25 of 67 in NHTSA's October 10, 2026 count. Its 9 recalls tie the 2005 for most.
Can I sell an FX45 with an open air bag recall?
Yes. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, and you sell the whole car as it sits. Mention the unfinished recall in your offer request. Pickup is free anywhere in the US.

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from one of these. Checked October 11, 2026.

  1. NHTSA complaints flat file (FLAT_CMPL.zip), downloaded October 10, 2026 nhtsa.gov
  2. NHTSA recall 03V164: propeller shaft bolts, 2003 nhtsa.gov
  3. NHTSA recall 03V476: front brake caliper bolts, 2003 nhtsa.gov
  4. NHTSA recall 05V338: child seat lower anchors, 2005 nhtsa.gov
  5. NHTSA recall 05V555: fuel filler hose, 2003-2006 nhtsa.gov
  6. NHTSA recall 06V244: rear combination lamps, 2003-2006 nhtsa.gov
  7. NHTSA recall 06V328: headlamps, 2003-2006 nhtsa.gov
  8. NHTSA recall 15V054: steering shaft nhtsa.gov
  9. NHTSA recall 15V226: passenger air bag inflator, 2003-2005 nhtsa.gov
  10. NHTSA recall 15V287: passenger air bag inflator nhtsa.gov
  11. NHTSA recall 16V349: passenger air bag inflator, 2003-2008 nhtsa.gov
  12. NHTSA recall 17V028: passenger air bag inflator, 2005-2008 nhtsa.gov
  13. NHTSA recall 20V008: passenger air bag inflator, 2003-2008 nhtsa.gov
  14. NHTSA recall 21V139: passenger air bag module, 2006-2008 nhtsa.gov
  15. NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN nhtsa.gov
  16. EPA fuel economy data (model years and variants) fueleconomy.gov
  17. Wikipedia: Infiniti FX (generations, engines, plants) en.wikipedia.org