Makes›Infiniti›FX45›2008

2008 Infiniti FX45

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2008 models.

Class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Body styles
4dr SUV AWD
Engines
4.5L 8-cyl
Drivetrain
4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
14 combined · 13 city / 17 hwy
Length
189 in
Curb weight
4,489 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
4 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Few owner complaints2 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 24 for similar models.

Watch out for

  • Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 14 MPG combined, 20% below the 2008 SUV - average of 17.4 MPG.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 16 similar 2008 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2008 Infiniti FX45 is a SUV - offered with a 4.5L 8-cyl engine and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.

It measures about 189 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,489 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 14 MPG combined (13 city / 17 highway), 20% worse than the 2008 SUV - average of 17.4 MPG, for an estimated $5,850 a year in fuel.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the exterior lighting.

What changed for 2008

  • Lightest version 159 lb heavier

Compared with 2007; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2007 FX45 →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr SUV AWD189 in75.6 in65.7 in112.2 in62.2 / 65 in4,489 lb54/46

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
FX45 AWD4.5L 8-cylAutomatic (S5)4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive13 / 17 / 14-20%$5,850635
Spend $17,250Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
17.4 MPG2008 Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2008 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2008 Infiniti FX45 under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2008 SUV -s

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2008 Infiniti FX45 (this car)14 MPGNot rated4
2008 Land Rover Range Rover15 MPGNot rated3
2008 Porsche Cayenne16 MPGNot rated2
2008 BMW X518 MPGNot rated12
2008 BMW X320 MPGNot rated5
2008 Lexus RX25 MPGNot rated1
2008 Volvo XC9016 MPGNot rated1

Recalls (4)

Air Bags › Passenger Side Frontal › Cushion · Mar 4, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V139000 · 26,158 vehicles

Problem
Nissan North America, Inc. (INFINITI) is recalling certain 2003 INFINITI FX35, 2006-2008 FX35 and FX45 vehicles that previously received a replacement front passenger air bag assembly under recall number 20V-008. The air bag cushion was folded incorrectly, which could increase internal pressure and tear the air bag cushion during deployment.
Risk
A tear in the air bag may decrease air bag performance, and increase the risk of injury.
Fix
INFINITI will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on April 19, 2021. Owners may contact INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200. INFINITI's number for this recall is R20C2.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jan 9, 2020

NHTSA campaign 20V008000 · 307,962 vehicles

Problem
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback, 2001-2004 Infiniti I30 and I35, 2002-2003 Inifiniti QX4, 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 and 2006-2010 M35 and M45 vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated, frontal passenger air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators with alternate desiccated inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 888-737-9511 or Infiniti customer service at 888-810-3715.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jan 10, 2017

NHTSA campaign 17V028000 · 152,554 vehicles

Problem
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2012 Nissan Versa hatchbacks originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan) and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A". Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" above, Nissan is recalling certain 2009-2010 Infiniti M35 and M45 and 2009 Nissan Versa sedans and hatchbacks originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B". Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Nissan is recalling certain 2005-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45, 2006-2010 Infiniti M35 and M45, and 2007-2008 Nissan Versa vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began on June 8, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · May 24, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V349000 · 413,852 vehicles

Problem
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45, 2003-2004 Infiniti I35, 2006-2010 Infiniti M35 and M45, and 2007-2011 Nissan Versa vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Nissan is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45, 2003-2004 Infiniti I35, 2006-2008 Infiniti M35 and M45, and 2007-2008 Nissan Versa vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Nissan is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Infiniti I35 vehicles originally sold, or registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began December 21, 2017. All owners should receive a second notice by May 15, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2008 Infiniti FX45 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

2Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
0Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
0Injuries reported
168,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Exterior Lighting › Headlights1
Air Bags1
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
15/11: 117/01: 115/1117/01max 1

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2008 Infiniti FX45 buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Exterior Lighting › Headlights — 1 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
  3. Air Bags — 1 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  4. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 168,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  5. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2008 Infiniti FX45. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other FX45 years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2007 FX4515189 inNot rated40
2006 FX4515189 inNot rated44
2005 FX4515189 inNot rated56

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Infiniti. How we calculate this →