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The G35 was Infiniti's answer to the BMW 3 Series: a front-mid-engine, rear-drive car on Nissan's FM platform with the VQ35 V6. Sedans ran 2003 through 2006 and then got a redesign for 2007 and 2008; coupes ran 2003 through 2007. Automatic cars all use the Jatco RE5R05A five-speed (Jatco calls it JR507E). Manual cars got a six-speed shared with the 350Z.
The RE5R05A is the same basic transmission Nissan bolted behind the Titan and Armada V8, so in a 3,500 lb sedan it is not working hard. Most G35 automatic complaints are not broken hard parts. They are fluid, solenoid and valve body problems that feel like a dying transmission. Getting that call right is the difference between a few hundred dollars and a few thousand.
Common G35 Automatic Problems
Harsh or banging downshifts when slowing down
The number one complaint. The car thumps into second or first as you coast to a stop, or bangs when you get back on the gas while still rolling. Worn fluid and pressure control solenoids are the usual cause, and a transmission that has never had a fluid change is the classic setup. Some cars improved with a TCM reflash or an adaptive reset after a fluid service. Do the fluid first, then look at solenoids, then the valve body.
Flare or slip on the 2-3 or 3-4 upshift
RPM jumps between gears and the shift lands late. Early on this is solenoid or valve body wear. If it is getting worse quickly and the fluid smells burnt, the clutches in the input drum are being cooked and the unit is headed for an overhaul.
Delayed engagement into Drive or Reverse
A one- or two-second pause after selecting a gear. Check fluid level first; these do not have a conventional dipstick you can just pull, and many are found low after a leak or a sloppy service. Low level on a hot day shows up as delayed engagement and slipping.
Limp mode with stored codes
The car starts in third gear and will not shift, often with a solenoid code such as a line pressure (P0745 class) or shift solenoid fault. A failed solenoid, a damaged connector at the case, or a valve body problem are the usual suspects. Our RE5R05A limp mode guide walks the order of testing.
Input drum failure at high mileage
The input drum is the known wear item inside the RE5R05A. When the clutch packs inside it burn up, the car loses several gears at once and the fluid is full of friction material. That is an overhaul, not a solenoid. The 2003-2005 input drum stack fits early G35 and 350Z units.
G35 Manual Transmission and Clutch
The six-speed manual is strong, but it is known for notchy shifts when cold and grinding into second or third when the fluid is old or the synchros are worn. A gear oil change with the correct spec oil helps more often than people expect. Clutch and flywheel wear are the other big-ticket items on manual cars, especially ones that were driven hard. If you are already in there for a clutch, a lightweight flywheel such as the ACT StreetLite flywheel for 2004 G35 is worth pricing against a stock replacement. Our 350Z/370Z clutch cost guide covers the same drivetrain.
Fluid: Do Not Skip This
The RE5R05A in the G35 was filled with Nissan Matic J at the factory, and Nissan later moved many of its RWD automatics to Matic S. Confirm the spec for your VIN before buying fluid. The fill and level check is done from the side of the case with the transmission at a specified temperature, so it is not a quick-lube job. A drain-and-fill only changes part of the fluid, and two or three of them spaced a few hundred miles apart is the safe way to refresh a high-mileage unit. A new RE5R05A filter and pan gasket kit goes in on the first one. See the RE5R05A fluid change cost guide for what shops charge.
What It Costs
| Repair | Typical Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fluid and filter service | $200 - $400 | Correct Nissan fluid only |
| Adaptive reset or TCM reflash | $100 - $250 | After fluid, before parts |
| Shift or pressure solenoid | $300 - $700 | Valve body comes out of the pan |
| Valve body replacement | $800 - $1,500 | May need programming |
| Overhaul (input drum, clutches) | $2,500 - $3,800 | Shop rebuild |
| Used RE5R05A installed | $1,800 - $2,800 | Check donor mileage |
Before You Approve a Transmission Quote
- Get the stored codes in writing, including any pending codes.
- Ask when the fluid was last changed and what fluid went in.
- Ask whether the level was checked hot, from the fill plug, at the specified temperature.
- If the complaint is harsh downshifts only, ask about fluid, adaptive reset and solenoids before a rebuild.
- Ask the shop to drop the pan and show you what is in it. Clean fluid with a little fine sludge is not a burnt input drum.
G35 Transmission Parts
RE5R05A rebuild kits, solenoids, valve bodies and filter kits, plus hard parts at our sister store.
Shop RE5R05A Parts → Master Rebuild Kit → Hard Parts at CTPRepair, Replace, or Rebuild?
Start cheap and work up. A G35 that only bangs on downshifts gets a fluid service, an adaptive reset and a solenoid check before anyone talks about a rebuild. If you are doing the work yourself, the RE5R05A solenoid kit is a pan-off job. If the pan is full of friction material, the input drum is gone and a rebuild with a master rebuild kit and a new drum is the right repair on a clean car. A low-mileage used unit is a fair choice when the budget is tight, but it comes with the same unknown service history you are trying to get away from. For deeper detail on the transmission itself, read our RE5R05A problems guide.
FAQ
What transmission is in an Infiniti G35?
Automatic G35 sedans and coupes from 2003 through 2008, including the all-wheel-drive G35x, use the Jatco RE5R05A five-speed automatic. Manual cars use a six-speed shared with the Nissan 350Z.
Why does my G35 bang into gear when slowing down?
Harsh downshifts are usually worn fluid, a pressure control or shift solenoid, or valve body wear. Start with a fluid service with the correct Nissan fluid and an adaptive reset.
What transmission fluid does a G35 use?
The factory fill was Nissan Matic J, and Nissan later superseded many RWD automatics to Matic S. Confirm the spec for your VIN before you buy fluid.
How much does it cost to rebuild a G35 transmission?
A shop overhaul of the RE5R05A typically runs $2,500 to $3,800. A used unit installed usually runs $1,800 to $2,800.
Is the G35 transmission reliable?
Yes, for the most part. The RE5R05A was designed for Nissan trucks and is not overstressed in the G35. Most problems trace back to never-changed fluid and solenoid wear.