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2009 Infiniti G37 Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2009 Infiniti G37 has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Oil galley gasket failure causing limp mode.” Infiniti manuals split service into Schedule 1 (severe — short trips, city traffic, extreme temperatures) and Schedule 2 (easy highway use). Most US drivers honestly belong on Schedule 1: oil every 5,000 miles. The VQ V6s that power most of the lineup are chain-driven and durable when the oil stays fresh. The two things owners skip at their peril: CVT fluid on QX50/QX60 (extended intervals are how these transmissions die) and oil discipline on the twin-turbo VR30 in Q50/Q60 Red Sport.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2009 Infiniti G37.

Reported to NHTSA

Oil galley gasket failure causing limp mode

ENGINE

6 NHTSA complaints · 2018-05 → 2020-10

“*THE NISSAN AND INFINITI OIL GALLERY GASKET PROBLEM* IT'S RIDICULOUS HOW NISSAN AND INFINITI HAVE NOT COME FORWARD WITH A STATEMENT ABOUT THIS NOTORIOUS PROBLEM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11362949
“THIS FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AND INSTANTLY THREW THE CAR INTO LIMP MODE, BECAUSE OF THE LOWERED OIL PRESSURE READING, WHICH RESULTED IN A CAR UNABLE TO CONTINUE HIGHWAY SPEEDS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11157261
“GALLERY GASKET BLOWN IS COMMON ON EARLY MODELS BECAUSE THE GASKET IS MADE OUT OF PAPER.CAUSING THE CAR TO GO ON LIMP MODE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11208510

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Transmission surge, lunge, and delayed downshifting

POWER TRAIN

15 NHTSA complaints · 2009-12 → 2019-05

“I APPLIED MY BRAKE AND INSTEAD OF STOPPING THE CAR KEPT ON ACCELERATING (LUNGING) FORWARD AND FINALLY HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS GOING SLOWLY AND THERE WAS NO DAMAGE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10296445
“DRIVING MY NEW 2009 G37X INFINITI AND MADE A FAIRLY HARD BRAKE FOR A RED LIGHT - CAR SLID A LITTLE TO A STOP, BUT CONTINUED ACCELERATING AT 2500 TO 3000 RPMS WHILE I HELD BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE TO KEEP IT IN PLACE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10298957
“THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH MY TRANSMISSION IN MY INFINITI 2009 G37 SEDAN JOURNEY. IT ACCELERATES ON IT'S OWN. IT HAPPENS ABOUT ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10320261

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Water intrusion through clogged sunroof drain

VISIBILITY

3 NHTSA complaints · 2022-07 → 2023-09

“The contact owns a 2009 Infiniti G37. The contact stated that the sunroof drain was clogged, allowing water to enter the vehicle causing electrical system failure”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11474896
“WHEN IT RAINS HEAVY WATER GETS INSIDE THE CAR ON BOTH THE DRIVERS SIDE AND PASSENGERS SIDE LEAVING THE FLOOR EXTREMELY WET. IT IS GETTING THE WIRES WET”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11533859

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Front subframe corrosion

SUSPENSION

3 NHTSA complaints · 2019-02 → 2025-03

“The dealership sold me a car with a rusted subframe without disclosing the condition of the subframe. The car will not pass inspection because of the subframe”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11646959
“MY CAR IS TEN YEARS OLD, FROM OHIO, SHOULD MY FRAME BE RUSTED OUT UNDERNEATH TO THE POINT THAT MY REAR LEFT TIRE COMPONENT IS ABOUT TO SEPARATE FROM THE FRAME?”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11173611

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake rotor warping and vibration under braking

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

4 NHTSA complaints · 2010-10 → 2012-06

“VEHICLE VIBRATES WHEN BRAKING. DEALERSHIP FOUND ALL FOUR ROTORS OUT OF ROUND. DEALERSHIP ALSO FOUND REAR ROTORS WARPED. DEALERSHIP CUT FRONT ROTORS AND RESURFACED REAR ROTORS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10406021
“TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ITB09-037 FROM INFINITI STATES OVERHEATING OF THE BRAKES CAN CAUSE BRAKE JUDDER. THEY RECOMMEND INSTALLING A BRAKE BACKING PLATE, RESURFACING, OR REPLACING THE ROTORS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10360617

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Passenger-seat airbag occupant sensor failure (B1018)

AIR BAGS

82 NHTSA complaints · 2009-11 → 2026-03

“Last week the airbag light flashed on. The dealer said the error code was B1018 (Occupant Classification Sensor malfunction). The cost of the passenger seat cushion alone is $7,500”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11562407
“THE FRONT SEAT OCCUPANCY-CLASSIFICATION SENSOR (OCS) IS NOT WORKING. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR OVER A YEAR. NISSAN/INFINITI HAS RECALLED MILLIONS OF CARS IN 2013-1015 AND HAD A VOLUNTARY INSPECTION IN 2008 AND 2009 FOR THIS ISSUE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11035629
“THE AIR BAG OFF LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY AND REMAINED ON WHICH MEANT THAT EVEN IF AN ADULT WAS SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10293951

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Sticky, melting, and cracking dashboard causing glare

UNKNOWN OR OTHER, VISIBILITY/WIPER

19 NHTSA complaints · 2014-09 → 2025-11

“Our 2009 Infiniti G37x has developed the dreaded sticky dash issue. The materials in the dashboard have broken down, as a result the dashboard has become VERY reflective. It creates a heavy glare on the windshield both day and night which affects our ability to see out of the”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11699467
“THE MATERIAL THE DASH BOARD IS MADE OF MELTS AT NORMAL TEMPERATURES COMPROMISING THE INTEGRITY OF THE DASH BOARD AND VISIBILITY (IT'S REFLECTIVE)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10884601
“I RESEARCHED MELTING DASHBOARD AND DISCOVERED THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH INFINITI'S AND OTHER VEHICLES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10630881

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Sudden loss of engine power while driving

POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE

16 NHTSA complaints · 2010-09 → 2022-12

“I was driving at about 65 mph on the tail end of a roughly 2 hour trip. The car shut off on me completely”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11496986
“AT OCCURRENCE OF THE FAILURE, THE CAR WILL DECELERATE FROM HIGHWAY SPEED TO LESS THAN 35 MPH WITHIN A FEW SECONDS. FOLLOWING THE FAILURE, THE ENGINE RPM WILL NOT EXCEED 2,400 RPM AND SPEEDS ABOVE 35 MPH ARE IMPOSSIBLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10353377
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10461038

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 5,000 mi

Every 5,000 miles under Schedule 1 (most US driving); 7,500 on the easy-use Schedule 2. VQ engines tolerate a lot but reward fresh oil with quiet chains and clean variable-timing operation. VR30 twin-turbo: treat 5,000 as the ceiling.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 5,000 mi

Rotate with every oil change. Staggered-fitment sport models (G37S, Q60) can't rotate front-to-rear — budget rear tires accordingly.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

CVT Fluid (QX50 / QX60)

Every 60,000 mi

CVT-equipped models: replace fluid around 60,000 miles — sooner with towing or hot-climate city driving. Use only Nissan NS-spec CVT fluid. This is the single most skipped, most expensive-to-skip item on modern Infiniti SUVs.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$360–$500

Shop

~$255–$355

DIY

~$80–$180

CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, and lines at every service. Akebono-caliper sport packages wear pads unevenly if the slide hardware isn't serviced — have it cleaned and lubricated with pad changes.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace around 30,000 miles. Twin-intake VQ and VR engines use two filters — replace both, not just the easy one.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace roughly every 30,000 miles or 2 years — Infiniti pairs it with major services. Sport models driven hard should err toward the 2-year mark.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Automatic Transmission Fluid (7/9-speed)

Every 60,000 mi

Conventional automatics (G35/G37/Q50 RWD 7-speed, QX80 9-speed): fluid service around 60,000 miles under severe use keeps shifts clean. Matic-S/Matic-D spec fluid only.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 105,000 mi

Iridium plugs rated to 105,000 miles. On transverse VQ models (older QX60, JX35) the rear bank hides under the intake plenum — pay the labor once, at the full interval.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace about every 15,000 miles; behind the glovebox on most models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Long-Life Coolant

Every 75,000 mi

First replacement at 75,000 miles / 5 years (Nissan blue long-life), then about every 4 years after. Genuine or NS-spec coolant only — mixing types gels.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Drive Belt Inspection

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect from 60,000 miles; replace on cracking, glazing, or tensioner noise. VQ accessory belts announce their age with a cold-start chirp.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually after year 3. Intelligent-Key and always-on telematics draw at rest — weak batteries show up first as slow push-button starts.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

104 crashes 1990–2024

How the 104 occupant deaths break down

77

driver deaths

27

passenger deaths

104

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2010 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

5

complaints mentioning a crash

0

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2009 Infiniti G37 reflects INFINITI's published service intervals and the Schedule 1 / Schedule 2 Maintenance system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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