2009 INFINITI M45

Introduction

The 2009 INFINITI M45 is a luxury sedan powered by a 4.5-liter V8 engine with 325 horsepower and 336 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission. It’s praised for its opulent interior, powerful engine, and comfortable ride, but some owners have reported various issues since its release.

Engine

4.5-liter V8

• Valve Cover Gasket Leak: Oil may leak from the valve cover gaskets, causing engine oil loss. Solution: Replace the valve cover gaskets. Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $800+
• Timing Chain Rattle: A rattling noise may be heard from the timing chain area due to excessive chain slack. Solution: Replace the timing chain and tensioners. Estimated Cost to Fix: $2,000 - $3,000+
• Coolant Pipe Corrosion: The coolant pipes may corrode over time, leading to coolant leaks. Solution: Inspect and replace corroded coolant pipes. Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1000+

Transmission

7-speed Automatic

• Shift Hesitation: The transmission may hesitate or delay when shifting gears. Solution: Update the transmission control module (TCM) software. Estimated Cost to Fix: $0 (Software Update)
• Torque Converter Failure: The torque converter may fail, causing slipping, vibrations, or loss of power. Solution: Replace the torque converter. Estimated Cost to Fix: $2,500 - $4,000+

Suspension

• Front Control Arm Bushing Wear: The front control arm bushings may wear out prematurely, leading to uneven tire wear and reduced handling. Solution: Replace the worn control arm bushings. Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1000+
• Rear Shock Absorber Failure: The rear shock absorbers may fail over time, causing a rough ride or poor handling. Solution: Replace the failed shock absorbers. Estimated Cost to Fix: $400 - $800+

Electrical

• Battery Draining: The battery may drain prematurely due to excessive parasitic drain. Solution: Identify and eliminate the source of the parasitic drain, often related to aftermarket accessories or electronic modules. Estimated Cost to Fix: Varies depending on the source of the drain.
• Tail Light Circuit Board Failure: The tail light circuit board may fail, causing the tail lights not to function properly. Solution: Replace the tail light circuit board. Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $400+

Exterior

• Headlight Condensation: Condensation may form inside the headlight assemblies, impairing visibility at night. Solution: Replace or reseal the headlight assemblies. Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1200+

Interior

• Climate Control Malfunction: The climate control system may malfunction, leading to insufficient cooling or heating. Solution: Diagnose and repair or replace the faulty climate control component. Estimated Cost to Fix: Varies depending on the issue.
• Navigation System Glitch: The navigation system may experience glitches or errors during operation. Solution: Update the navigation system software. Estimated Cost to Fix: $0 (Software Update)

Summary

The 2009 INFINITI M45 has a mix of common and less frequent issues that affect various aspects of the vehicle. While the engine and transmission issues can be relatively expensive to fix, many of the other problems are less severe and costly to address. It’s important for potential buyers to be aware of these potential issues before purchasing a used M45.