Infiniti FX 30d S51

2010-2017Last updated: August 2026 · How this report is builtAugust 2026

2010-2017 · 3.0 V9X (238 PS) V6 turbodiesel, 7-speed automatic, AWD

Infiniti FX 30d S51 — Render © Car Checker

The Infiniti FX 30d (renamed QX70 from 2014) is a distinctive luxury sports-SUV that set itself apart from German competitors with bold styling, rear-biased AWD handling, and a uniquely sporting character. Powered by the 3.0 V9X turbodiesel V6 developed within the Renault-Nissan Alliance, it offered 550 Nm of torque and a refined highway personality that appealed to buyers seeking something different. Infiniti stopped selling new cars in Western Europe in March 2020, but an authorised after-sales network for maintenance and warranty repairs remains, alongside Nissan dealers and independent specialists.· more· less

Strong torque, distinctive design Refined highway cruiser

No new-car sales in Europe since 2020, thinner service coverage Niche engine, limited specialist pool

Buy if: You want a distinctive luxury diesel SUV and have access to a specialist or Nissan dealer experienced with V9X engines.

Avoid if: You need readily available dealer support or plan predominantly short urban trips that will stress the DPF system.

Maintenance costs

€1,050 – €2,050/year

at 15,000 km/year

Fixed costsservice, tyres, brakes €650 – €1,100 /yr

Risk bufferunplanned repairs €400 – €950 /yr

Price estimates are based on German asking prices. Prices and costs vary by vehicle condition and location.

Maintenance costs

€1,050 – €2,050 per year

€650 – €1,100

service, tyres, brakes

€400 – €950

repair buffer

Buying a used Infiniti FX? Check its history.

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Buying a used Infiniti FX? Check its history.

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Common Problems

High-pressure fuel pump failure

€1,500 - 3,5001 of 6

Bosch high-pressure pump fails under load, causing engine shutdown and limp mode · more· less

Multiple FX30d owners report engine shutdown during hard acceleration, particularly at higher speeds. Diagnostic codes P0089 (fuel pressure regulator performance) and P2293 (fuel pressure regulator fault) point to the high-pressure fuel pump. If the pump fails catastrophically, metal debris can contaminate the entire fuel rail and piezo injectors, escalating a €1,500 pump replacement into a €3,000+ system overhaul. Some owners have resolved early symptoms by replacing the fuel filter and fuel pressure sensor (€200-400), but if pressure drops persist under load, the pump itself needs replacement. The Bosch common rail system operates at 1,800 bar, so any internal wear rapidly becomes critical. Symptoms typically appear between 80,000 and 150,000 km.

DPF and EGR system degradation

€800 - 2,5002 of 6

DPF clogs from short trips despite dedicated 7th exhaust injector; EGR sensor failures reported · more· less

The V9X features an unusual 7th injector in the exhaust stream dedicated to DPF regeneration, which allows regeneration at any engine speed, even at idle. This makes the FX30d more tolerant of short trips than most diesels, but the DPF still has a finite life of approximately 120,000-190,000 km. Owners report EGR sensor failures that trigger engine protection mode, with EGR sensor replacement costing approximately €1,400 including labor. DPF cleaning costs €300-500, while full DPF replacement runs €1,500-2,500. Regular highway driving at 60-80 km/h for 20-30 minutes helps maintain DPF health. The EGR valve itself tends to clog with carbon deposits and benefits from periodic cleaning every 40,000-50,000 km.

Turbocharger failure

€2,500 - 4,0003 of 6

Variable geometry turbo mounted in the engine vee is difficult and expensive to access · more· less

The V9X uses a single variable geometry turbocharger mounted inside the vee of the engine, fed from both cylinder banks. This central location provides efficient exhaust flow but makes access extremely difficult. Approximately 8% of V9X owners report turbo problems, including power loss, abnormal engine noises, and blue or black exhaust smoke. The turbo unit itself costs €1,500-2,500 from aftermarket suppliers, but labor is substantial (€800-1,500) due to the vee-mounted position requiring significant engine-bay disassembly. Inadequate oil maintenance accelerates turbo bearing wear. The variable geometry vanes can also stick from carbon buildup, causing boost control faults. Regular oil changes with the correct 5W-30 specification and avoiding hard acceleration on cold engines help extend turbo life.

Cooling system failure and overheating

€500 - 3,0004 of 6

Water pump, thermostat, and radiator failures can lead to overheating and head gasket damage · more· less

Approximately 15% of V9X owners report overheating problems. The V6 configuration with its high operating temperatures makes the cooling system a critical maintenance area. Common failure points include the water pump, thermostat, and radiator. A water pump replacement costs €300-600 and a thermostat €200-400. If overheating is not caught quickly, it can warp the aluminum cylinder heads or blow the head gaskets, escalating costs to €2,000-3,000 for head gasket replacement. At higher mileage (150,000+ km), cracked cylinder heads have been reported on V9X engines in Nissan Navara and Pathfinder applications. Monitor the temperature gauge closely, check coolant level and condition regularly, and address any cooling system issues immediately.

Oil leaks from multiple sources

€400 - 1,5005 of 6

Rear main seal, valve cover gaskets, turbo seals, and oil pan gasket are common leak sources · more· less

Around 10% of V9X engines develop oil leaks from various sealing surfaces. The rear main crankshaft seal is a known weak point, partly due to substandard seal design lacking a retention spring. Valve cover gaskets, turbo oil feed and return lines, and the oil pan gasket are other common sources. Individual leak repairs cost €300-600 for valve cover gaskets or oil pan, while a rear main seal replacement runs €600-1,200 due to the labor involved. If turbo oil seals are leaking, this is often addressed during turbo replacement. Regular inspection underneath the vehicle for fresh oil accumulation is important, as oil leaks left unchecked can lead to oil pressure loss and accelerated wear.

RE7R01A 7-speed automatic transmission wear

€1,000 - 3,0006 of 6

Valve body solenoid wear causes harsh shifts, delayed engagement, and transmission slipping · more· less

The Jatco RE7R01A 7-speed automatic transmission is used across Infiniti and Nissan models. Known issues include harsh downshifts traced to wear in the low brake switch boost sleeve, rev surges during 3rd-to-4th gear shifts from torque converter clutch engagement delays, and valve body solenoid degradation. Symptoms worsen with contaminated or old transmission fluid. A valve body rebuild or replacement typically costs €1,000-2,000, while a complete transmission rebuild can reach €3,000-5,000. The RE7R01A is generally durable when transmission fluid is changed every 60,000 km, despite Infiniti's original recommendation of lifetime fill. Transmission range sensor failures can also cause difficulty engaging or disengaging Park.

Capable but requires proactive maintenance and specialist knowledge

The V9X 3.0 turbodiesel can reach 250,000+ km with diligent maintenance, but it demands attention to the cooling system, fuel system, and regular oil changes. The engine's timing chain drive eliminates belt replacement costs, and the dedicated 7th DPF injector is more tolerant of mixed driving than most diesels. The biggest ownership challenge is parts sourcing and specialist knowledge since Infiniti stopped selling new cars in Europe in 2020, although its authorised network still carries out maintenance and warranty repairs. Nissan dealers can order most components, and many mechanical parts are shared with the Nissan Pathfinder R51 and Navara D40, but availability is slower than for BMW or Mercedes equivalents. Budget for higher labor costs due to the V-mounted turbo and complex engine bay layout.

Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Viewing checklist for the Infiniti FX 30d S51

A printable one-page A4 checklist for this model.

General checks

Service history
Complete Infiniti dealer or Nissan specialist records essential. Verify oil changes every 15,000 km or 12 months with correct 5W-30 specification.
Tires
Check tread depth, age (date codes), and uneven wear patterns. Most cars run 265/50 R20, but S and S Premium versions use 265/45 R21, which costs more to replace. Rear tires may wear faster due to the rear-biased AWD.
Cold start
Must start engine completely cold. Listen for unusual knocking, turbo whine, or excessive smoke in the first 30 seconds.
Test drive
Minimum 30 minutes including highway speeds. Check for smooth acceleration, gear changes, and ensure no warning lights appear.

Specific for this vehicle

Check for exhaust smoke under hard acceleration
Blue smoke indicates turbo oil seal failure. Black smoke suggests DPF or EGR issues. White smoke may indicate coolant entering combustion chambers.
Inspect underneath for oil leaks
Look at the rear of the engine (main seal), valve cover areas, turbo oil lines, and oil pan. Fresh oil accumulation is a warning sign.
Test full-throttle acceleration from 80 km/h
Engine should respond immediately without hesitation, stalling, or entering limp mode. Delayed or flat response suggests fuel pump or turbo actuator issues.

+ 4 more checksShow less

Check coolant level and condition
Low coolant, brown or milky appearance, or oil contamination suggests head gasket or cooling system problems. V9X overheating risk makes this critical.
Scan for stored diagnostic codes
Use an OBD2 scanner to check for P0089, P2293 (fuel system), P0401 (EGR flow), and any DPF-related codes. Stored codes reveal history even if cleared.
Monitor transmission shift quality
Drive for 15+ minutes through all gears. Feel for harsh shifts, hesitation between gears, or slipping. Pay attention to the 3-4 shift especially.
Verify parts sourcing capability
Confirm that an authorised Infiniti service point or your local Nissan dealer can order parts, or identify an independent specialist familiar with V9X engines, before committing to purchase.

Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins

No European recall campaign has been established that applies to the S51 FX 30d. Infiniti stopped selling new cars in Western Europe in 2020, but its authorised after-sales network remains; ask that network or a Nissan dealer to check the VIN before you buy, because Infiniti-specific campaigns are held separately from the standard Nissan system.

Warranty Status

Factory warranty (3 years / 100,000 km) Expired on all used FX/QX70 models

Extended warranty Not available through Infiniti. Third-party warranties may apply.

Rust perforation warranty (12 years) Expired on early cars; 2015-2017 registrations can still be covered

All FX 30d and QX70 30d models are well outside their original three-year factory warranty, although the 12-year body perforation cover can still run on the youngest examples. Infiniti stopped new-car sales in Western Europe in March 2020 and offers no manufacturer-backed extended warranty, but its authorised network still carries out maintenance and warranty repairs. Third-party warranty providers may cover major components, but verify that the V9X diesel engine and Jatco RE7R01A transmission are explicitly included before purchasing.

↔ Also consider

Infiniti Q50 2.2d V37 2014-2018

Uses the proven Mercedes OM651 diesel with better European parts support. Direct Adaptive Steering ECU failures and injector seal leaks are the main risks.

BMW X6 xDrive30d E71 2008-2014

Porsche Cayenne 3.0 Diesel 958 2010-2018

Higher purchase price but excellent dealer network. The 3.0 V6 TDI is well-proven. Air suspension and timing chain cover oil leaks are the main concerns.

Mercedes-Benz GLE 350d W166 2012-2019

More conventional luxury SUV with strong dealer support. The W166 diesel sold as the ML 350 BlueTEC until the 2015 facelift renamed it GLE 350 d. The OM642 V6 is widely proven but has oil cooler seal and AIRMATIC suspension risks.

Volvo XC90 2.4D Mk1 2002-2014

More affordable alternative with a fundamentally robust D5 engine. Automatic gearbox valve body and angle gear / AWD spline wear are the known weak points.

This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Estimates may be inaccurate. Always have a qualified specialist inspect the vehicle before purchase. We accept no liability for decisions made based on this information.