transmission problem on fx35

62553 Views 11 Replies 11 Participants Last post by Clotaire, 1 mo ago

chris_f

Discussion Starter · Nov 21, 2010

ive been looking to buy a 2004 fx35/ 75k but most mechanic friends are all telling me they have transmission problems and that once they go out ts gonna cost about $4,000 for a used transmission

Some of the mechanics are referring to the murano, and I'm aware they are totally different vehicles... However, they are saing the G35 cars are also plagued with the same transmission problems as the FX35.

The FX is from a private sale and so I will be taking it to the mechanic before buying but the mechanic said the transmission problem cant be diagnosed unless you drive the car for 7-10km and when it gets hot you'll see/feel whats wrong...

I was wondering if there is any truth to all this? I really want the FX but since everyone is against my purchase except myself, I will have to live with it if any problems occur going against suggestions of all friends...

Most reviews/opinions seem to be good but what's up with this Transmission problem that all these people are being scared of?? Does it exist? They said its either a hit or a miss with a FX35 and that some have it some dont...

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johnmax

· #2 · Nov 21, 2010

No there are no inherent transmission problems on 1st gen FXs. As long as fluids have been changed routinely, You shouldnt have a problem. Not to say there couldnt be a random failure, as possible with any vehicle.

If your mechanic is comparing it to a Murano, i'd find another mechanic. The FX has a normal transmission. The Murano has a CVT. Two COMPLETELY DIFFERENT things. Never heard of any G tranny issues either.

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ThE Fx 45 BeAsT

· #3 · Nov 21, 2010

yeah I own a g and a fx and have had or seen any of those tranny problems. murano based of a cvt tranny fx a little different, need to get a better mechanic or have him clarify his statement and show some proof. could see a tranny costing more than an engine so just make sure you get it checked at the dealer and you will be good.

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FXfan4life

· #4 · Nov 21, 2010

Consumer Reports rated reliability on the transmission on 2004 FX35 as "Excellent". Pick up any CR auto buying guide (or subscribe to their website) to see for yourself.

PM me if you want the whole reliability breakdown for the 2004. I geek out on the data.

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DatMan

· #5 · Nov 22, 2010

If you do a search on this site for "transmission problems" or "tranny problems" you won't find very much... which means the FX does NOT have a lot of transmission problems...

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GixxerSteve

· #6 · Nov 22, 2010

Your mechanic friends need to do a little more research about the transmissions for Infinitis. I have owned a 2004 FX35, 2003 G35 and 2003 Nissan 350Z (with a manual transmission), and none of them have ever had any problems. Complaints about 1st gen FX transmission having problems are rare.

(As soon as I post this, Van posts this ---> viewtopic.php?f=2&t=24672 . What are the odds?)

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macsdawtr

· #7 · May 13, 2016

chris_f said:
ive been looking to buy a 2004 fx35/ 75k but most mechanic friends are all telling me they have transmission problems and that once they go out ts gonna cost about $4,000 for a used transmission

Some of the mechanics are referring to the murano, and I'm aware they are totally different vehicles... However, they are saing the G35 cars are also plagued with the same transmission problems as the FX35.

The FX is from a private sale and so I will be taking it to the mechanic before buying but the mechanic said the transmission problem cant be diagnosed unless you drive the car for 7-10km and when it gets hot you'll see/feel whats wrong...

I was wondering if there is any truth to all this? I really want the FX but since everyone is against my purchase except myself, I will have to live with it if any problems occur going against suggestions of all friends...

Most reviews/opinions seem to be good but what's up with this Transmission problem that all these people are being scared of?? Does it exist? They said its either a hit or a miss with a FX35 and that some have it some dont...

Just bought a used fx35- Lemon. Have to replace transmission. The only way I can drive is in DS mode. Also, the dashboard has a problem. It literally melts over time. I can press a coin into the dash and leave a full imprint.

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Susan

· #8 · Jul 19, 2016

what symptoms did you have w fx35 before replacing your transmission? I'm not sure if that's the issue with mine but dashboard lit up flashing everything available and car went limp and coasted. Also about a year earlier the driver's side seat and moveable dash quit working, but I didn't realize that this was possibly all connected to the same problem... but don't know what that is yet! I was thinking transmission and the mechanic is very glad to do that for me - of course! - but after reading the forums, I'm thinking maybe it's something else.

So, that's why I ask what problems you had and if replacing tranny resolved the problems.

PS, I also had the bubbling dash and got it replaced under warranty.
Thanks for your help!

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pomchal

· #9 · Feb 9, 2017 (Edited)

I have a 2004 FX35 AWD with 177K relatively hard miles on it. I have changed the fluids (trans, steering fluid, antifreeze, Diff) every 60k miles with brake fluid even more frequently. I have had no issues with the tranny. It is as strong as ever.

My only complaints are with how difficult it is to change the spark plugs and the fact that the seal around the plugs is built into the valve cover. The seal does leak and the repair is to replace the valve cover which is expensive (~$500). If you try to change the plugs, buy the gasket kit for the plenum, intake and the air-flow-meter. and replace them. Try to avoid disconnecting the air-flow-meter. clean it without disconnecting. Otherwise you'll have to execute a VERY tedious procedure to reset the ECU and set the idle. NOT FUN !

The brakes are not particularly strong if you drive the car hard as I do. I have tried different combination of rotors and pads with no significant improvement. I think the rotors are a bit under sized and when they wear they don't have enough heat capacity and they tend to warp after a few high-speed hard braking event.

Overall build quality is not very good. Bubbles on the dash mean the car was not routinely garaged. Seats and other materials are subpar and the carpeting is not of high quality.

The stabilization, and ABS system work VERY well. I lived in NJ before moving to CA. It saved my ass a number of times on patchy icy surfaces. More recently, going to Tahoe during HEAVY snow with chains on all four tires, this car drove like a tank ! It is playful, has more power than you will ever need on snow and it's stable and sweet.

Other maintenance items are easy to do and parts are not particularly expensive. I do all work on the car myself and I have come to learn a lot about the car over the many years.

Overall, the sheer enjoyment of driving the car on Santa Cruz mountain roads outweighs any nagging issues I have encountered so far. Is it bullet proof like diesel Merc ? NO. Is it a car that you look forward to driving every time you start the engine ? Absolutely

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Simon Simic

· #10 · Sep 3, 2019

daschlag said:
Consumer Reports rated reliability on the transmission on 2004 FX35 as "Excellent". Pick up any CR auto buying guide (or subscribe to their website) to see for yourself.

PM me if you want the whole reliability breakdown for the 2004. I geek out on the data.

Yes please0

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FXfan4life

· #11 · Sep 5, 2019

Simon Simic said:
Yes please0

You bumped a super old thread! I actually checked and CR has pulled reliability ratings for FX models. No idea why.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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Clotaire

· #12 · 1 mo ago

Hi please can someone help me with the tranny technical document? I have a 2006 FX35 the reverse speed started by slipping but now it is not going back anymore but the five speed are quite good and working normally.

I'm completely desperated now spent so much money on that car and still not working. my email : [email protected]

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