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Inifiniti FX35 and FX45 Maintenance and Repair

134 messages,  Last post on May 12, 2013 at 4:02 PM

You are in the Infiniti FX35 FX45 FX50 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Infiniti FX35, Infiniti FX45, SUV

    
 
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Messages Page 4 of 14

#25 of 134 Considering an FX? Stay Clear.... by bpf

Feb 25, 2007 (11:13 am)

Replying to: tidester (Aug 09, 2006 9:49 pm)
We own a 2004 Infiniti FX35 purchased new.
 
We found the perfect one (tow hitch, cross bars etc) in Norwood, MA. Tried negotiating a deal but ended up walking away. The salesman was a dolt. The long and short of it -the Norwood dealership ends up shipping the FX we're interested in to New Hampshire. We negotiate the deal there and end up buying the FX in NH, but it wasn't easy. We end up driving all the way to NH only to have the dealership reneg on the deal and after much bickering back and forth end up getting the deal we drove there for.
 
Man, the car looks sharp though!!
 
CONCLUSION: INFINITI TERRIBLE BUYING EXPERIENCE
 
A year into owning it I conclude the following:
 
1. MISERABLE fuel economy. $58 fill ups on premium -ouch.
2. Wouldn't be bad if the FX had decent power. No low end grunt, all the power is between 30 -70.
3. It feels heavy, although well planted.
4. The throttle is either "sluggish or full on", this is the first automatic I've owned in 8 years; I see slushboxes aren't still that great. (Have DSG in an Audi toy; better but still not perfect...)
5. Not good in the snow, no better than a front wheel drive sedan. My Audi TT roadster with quattro has much better traction and I prefer to commute in it in snowy conditions.
6. Harsh ride can rattle interior parts especially in the cold.
7. The aluminum trim scratches way too easily. Tough with a dog companion. I understand the alum trim is no longer sold..
8. Geesh this interior is kinda plasticky now that I look around.....
9. Speaking of plastic, what's up with the plastic rear hatch and fuel cover....did I not purchase a "premium" product?
10. Strange climate control always blowing cold air. Air conditionong is always on (thus the poor fuel econ??)
11. I don't have the NAV system so the display screen displays radio and climate. Why are the radio characters displayed so cryptically? Reminds me of a cheap 80s Nissan.
12. If I get asked one more time how I like my Murano I'm going to scream....
 
Man, but that FX still looks sharp!!
 
OK so after a year of ownership the battery keeps going dead - numerous times. SECOND time at the dealership and they figure the power is being drained by a faulty seat switch. Geesh - Nissan, maybe the switches aren't placed in the best spot....The FX is returned with a blown radio fuse. By the time this is discovered the dealership has closed for the weekend and now have to set up a THIRD appointment. Living down near the Cape and with the closest Infiniti dealership 35 miles away near Boston, MA this is a MAJOR inconvience.
 
CONCLUSION: INFINITI SERVICE "NOT THAT GREAT"
 
....but that FX still looks sharp....
 
  
Spring of the first year the FX and four people head to North Captiva Island for some fun in the sun. Wonderfully comfortable for 4, quiet, smooth on the smooth Southern highways. However, not enough luggage space in the rear so a smaller suitcase ends up being wedged between the two rear seat occupants. Again, terrible fuel economy averaging 17 MPG or so.
 
JUMP AHEAD TO NOW 2/2007), 33,000 miles:
 
Yesterday the power steering SH** the bed. Ever try turning 20 inch wheels without it? We've only owned Honda and BMW and never had anything go wrong mechanically....(can't say the same for that Audi, but knew that going into the lease .....)
 
Maybe two things going wrong in two years isn't that bad, but I expect more in a premium Japanese brand. This is my first and last Nissan product. I'm not impressed.
 
I'd like to point out my Mom just purchased a 2007 Honda Accord SE V6. Fantastic buying experience from Herb Chambers in Seekonk, MA (no dickering whatsoever) and what a fantastic car for 22K...this car feels like it's right from Germany...terrific ride, great seats, sublime engine. Looking at the vehicle content on the window sticker I notice this car has all the same safety/luxury features
as the FX (for 22K)....what gives??
  
I think I've got my eyes set on an Accord V6 with a 6 speed.....anybody wanna buy a previously "enjoyed" FX?
 
It sill "looks sharp".....
 
(but personally I'd stay clear)...there is better out there.

#26 of 134 x-5, ML or FX I think I made the correct decision by callmerayz

Mar 02, 2007 (2:28 pm)

One week thus far holding on...Nice power!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I researched used SPORT SUV's for some time, and ended up with a four year old fx-45. After reading about all the issues from all the other "sport" SUV's it was clear I don't want to spend a lot of time going from garage to garage getting things fixed. To further support my conclusion I drove all the different 4 plus year old suvs, and everyone had some problem... From rattles, to inop dash,steering, noises from everything and everywhere.
I am happy so far... If I could change 1 thing it would be to have one more gear on the transmission so I could milk out a few more MPG.

#27 of 134 Re: Considering an FX? Stay Clear.... [bpf] by bpf

Mar 04, 2007 (7:13 am)

Replying to: bpf (Feb 25, 2007 11:13 am)
Upadate: It appears the dealership I've been going to, Quirk Infiniti in Braintree, is no longer in business. However, Prime Infiniti in Hanover, MA just opened. Found out by going on the Inifiniti web site. Better for me since it's a lot closer. One would think Prime would do a mailing to local Infinti owners giving them a heads-up of their opening.
 
Anyway, the FX has been at Prime for over a week now. Sure enough, the power steering pump went. Would you believe there isn't a new power stereing pump to be found anywhere?
 
I can't believe even in today's "smaller world" with overnight delivery availbale everywhere a pump can't be obtained. Estimated delivery is March 15.
 
In the interim I end up with a 2006 Infiniti G35 AWD sedan. More Nissan junk - would you believe this "premium product" has a prop rod in the engine compartment in lieu of hydraulics? Minimal refinement in this automobile...I can't believe some consider this car the Japanese equivalent of the 3 series....I've owned one and it doesn't come close. How can they sell this car?
 
Anyway, the FX goes out of warranty next year. If the power steering went then I would be out a car for 3 weeks and would have to pay for a rental. This simply isn't acceptable and it's bub bye for the FX (and Nissan)......

#28 of 134 Good Infiniti mechanic in West Los Angeles by crfab

Mar 04, 2007 (11:00 pm)

My 2003 FX45 is approaching 30K and will need its 30K service. The dealer (Santa Monica) is charging about $670 .. does anyone know another mechanic offering the same quality of service at a lower price. The dealer always marks it up by so much.

#29 of 134 Re: Good Infiniti mechanic in West Los Angeles [crfab] by steve_ HOST

Mar 04, 2007 (11:28 pm)

Replying to: crfab (Mar 04, 2007 11:00 pm)
You could compare what the dealer is doing to the factory recommended service as outlined in the Edmunds Maintenance Guide. You may decide to just let the dealer to the required stuff - looks like it should run ~$171 in a 90210 zip code (hey, it's the only SoCal zip code I know off the top of my head ).

#30 of 134 Re: Considering an FX? Stay Clear.... [bpf] by snsn

Mar 05, 2007 (5:03 am)

Replying to: bpf (Mar 04, 2007 7:13 am)
I owned the 2006 3 series. My first and last BMW. It was as you say "junk." Steering column had to be replaced, leather peeled and flaked - BMW would only replace the covering around the AC unit, tires had to be replaced, etc. All this in less then 1 1/2 years of ownership. I traded my 3 series in for the FX35. So far, I am pleased with my decision.

#31 of 134 Re: Considering an FX? Stay Clear.... [bpf] by dkartzal

Mar 07, 2007 (8:02 pm)

Replying to: bpf (Mar 04, 2007 7:13 am)
It's nice to know I'm not alone on this one. My Fx's power stearing pump broke down in Toronto. There is no part available anywhere in Canada. My car too has been in the shop for i week and the part is expected to arrive the week of March 12th. Apart from the pump the truck has been great.

#32 of 134 Re: Considering an FX? Stay Clear.... [dkartzal] by snsn

Mar 10, 2007 (7:15 pm)

Replying to: dkartzal (Mar 07, 2007 8:02 pm)
By the way, I had to wait one week for the steering wheel column to be replaced on my BMW. They also had to order the part (service manager said he had already replaced the steering wheel column on three other '06 3 series as well). Due to a "screw up" in my service appointment, a BMW loaner was not available. I ended up having to drive a Chrysler mini-van for a week.

#33 of 134 Re: Considering an FX? Stay Clear.... [snsn] by cyrus

Mar 15, 2007 (8:57 am)

Replying to: snsn (Mar 10, 2007 7:15 pm)
I just looked at the CONSUMER reports RELIABILITY assessment of 2003 to 2007, FX 35. (I own an 04 with 35k). It appears that 03 to 05 FX/35 Got Excellent scores for reliability. Only the 06 or 07 had average scores (But NOT 03-05). AS an FX owner I must say that my FX has been Supremely reliable. ONLY minor Problem I have had were a few squeeks and one rattle (which were fixed by my Dealer, in Glencoe, IL). (NOTE: It took 8 tries - yes EIGHT tries- and persistence over the last 2 yrs to fix the one dash rattle). Other than that I have been extremely happy with FX and will buy another in a heart beat.

#34 of 134 Re: Inifiniti FX35 and FX45: Problems & Solutions [tidester] by smaynard

Apr 07, 2007 (6:31 pm)

Replying to: tidester (Aug 09, 2006 9:49 pm)
I just leased a 07 FX35. Very disappointed. Has been in for service twice for the gps, works now but not very well I am still using my old portable because it works sooo much better. The bluetooth will not sink with my blackberry, check engine light come on every once n a while,cruse control only works about 70% of the time. All of this with less that 2000 miles.

Messages Page 4 of 14

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