CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT OR REAR AXLE DURING TAKE-OFF/ACCELERATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2011 INFINITI M37 powertrain problems
severe 15 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
2crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 15 powertrain complaints filed for the 2011 INFINITI M37, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Powertrain accounts for 48% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 3 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT OR REAR AXLE DURING TAKE-OFF/ACCELERATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TRANSMISSION & ENGINE AUTOMATED DATA COLLECTION AND DIAGNOSTIC REPORTING SERVICE INFORMATION To support proper diagnosis and to promote Fixed-Right-First-Time ? Infiniti may review CONSULT-III plus (CIII plus) data relating to vehicle operation and function to help with vehicle diagnosis and diagnostic validation. IMPORTANT: For transmission/engine repair or replacement, retailers are required to connect C-III plus and perform ?Diagnosis (All Systems)?. Performing C-III plus ?Diagnosis (All Systems)? is also required prior to contacting any Infiniti call center (i.e. TECH-LINE, PCC, or WCC) for diagnostic support or claim preauthorization. NOTE: For additional information regarding Automated
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2011 M37's 7-speed automatic transmission suffers from a widespread gear-selection defect. Owners consistently describe hesitation and delayed power delivery when accelerating from stops and merging onto highways—delays as long as two seconds that have resulted in rear-end collisions. The transmission either refuses to downshift when climbing hills at 30 mph (staying in 6th or 7th gear), or downshifts so harshly during braking that the car lurches forward, almost striking following vehicles. One owner documented over 200 jerking and hesitation events by 29,000 miles.
Engine idle is equally unstable: RPM swings wildly downward toward stalling, then surges back sharply, with rough running throughout the driving cycle. One vehicle even rolled away unprompted while parked.
Dealers have attempted fixes including TCM resets, ECU flashes, and a September 2012 software update that one owner called minimally effective. Another dealer blamed carbon buildup and charged $325 for cleaning, but the failsafe limp-mode condition (capping speed at 44–45 mph) recurred within weeks, confirming the root cause is electronic control, not fuel system deposits.
One owner also replaced a failed MAF sensor after the engine light forced them to crawl on a highway. A separate incident involved the front passenger axle slipping out of its socket while driving, disabling the car entirely.
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission hesitation and delayed gear selection
7-speed automatic transmission fails to select appropriate gear smoothly, especially during acceleration from stops, merges, and hill climbs. Owners report the transmission shifts rapidly through first three gears, then struggles to downshift when needed for power delivery. One owner experienced a two-second delay when accelerating onto a highway, resulting in being struck from behind.
When: From first month of ownership; worsens with mileage; occurs at 20–30 mph hill climbs, on-ramps, and interstate merges
Symptoms owners cite: Major delay selecting gears during acceleration onto ramps and from red lights; Transmission stays in 6th or 7th gear on hills at 30 mph; Jerking and hesitation at low speeds; Inadequate power for acceleration—cannot safely merge on highway; Slow acceleration even with soft pedal pressure; Vehicle unresponsive to accelerator pedal input
Repairs/costs cited: TCM (transmission control module) reset performed at dealership with no improvement; ECU flashes attempted without success; software update in September 2012 provided minimal relief per one owner; one dealer charged ~$325 for carbon buildup cleaning, ineffective
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Software update issued September 2012; minimal improvement reported; dealership responses ranged from dismissal ('learning your driving style') to inability to diagnose issue
Transmission downshift harshness and bump at braking
When braking, the transmission downshifts abruptly and creates jarring bumps. Combined with forward lurch during braking, creates significant safety concern. Condition worsens when air conditioning is on.
When: At 33,000 miles; present from early ownership; escalates with continued use
Symptoms owners cite: Harsh downshifting while braking; Bumping sensation during downshift at brake application; Car lurches forward during normal braking; Increased frequency with AC engaged; Nearly struck following vehicle multiple times due to forward lurch
Idle instability and engine RPM swings
Engine RPM drops dramatically toward stalling while at complete stop, then suddenly catches and surges back up. Creates large RPM swings and rough idle. Occurs randomly and repeatedly.
When: Occurs at idle/complete stop; worsens at 33,000 miles and beyond
Symptoms owners cite: RPM drops nearly to stalling, then kicks back up sharply; Large RPM swings at idle; Rough idling; Occurs without warning multiple times per drive cycle
Uncontrolled vehicle rollaway while parked
Vehicle rolled away multiple times while parked and unattended, creating a parking brake or transmission control defect.
When: At approximately 35,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle rolls away while parked; Occurs multiple times; Without warning
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; vehicle not repaired
Failsafe mode limp-home condition
Vehicle unexpectedly entered failsafe/limp mode during highway driving in light snow, reducing speed to 44–45 mph and preventing acceleration past 2400 RPM. Occurred on I-95 in minimally slippery conditions and recurred one to two weeks later after dealer visit.
When: On highway in snow; recurred after dealer service attempt
Symptoms owners cite: Hesitating and jerking during acceleration; Speed capped at 44–45 mph; RPM capped at 2400; Unable to accelerate safely; forced to move across four lanes to shoulder; Vehicle operates normally when brought to dealership
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosed carbon buildup and charged ~$325 for cleaning; problem recurred within one to two weeks indicating computer control issue, not carbon
MAF sensor failure
Mass air flow sensor failed, triggering check engine light and severe acceleration loss. Owner replaced sensor after being unable to accelerate past 30 mph on highway.
When: Within 4 months prior to complaint; occurred on highway during acceleration event
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light; Unable to accelerate past 30 mph; Occurred while on highway
Repairs/costs cited: MAF sensor B replaced
Front passenger-side axle slippage
Front passenger-side axle slipped out of socket during low-speed driving, rendering vehicle inoperable.
When: At unspecified mileage during city driving
Symptoms owners cite: Axle slipped out of socket; Vehicle became inoperable; Occurred during front-end hesitation event
Synthesized from 15 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 11 most recent
im the dealer sold my the car or maker uncertain problem
I was trying to accelerate from off an on ramp onto a highway and the car completely hesitated. The transmission took a good two seconds to accelerate and get into a safe position to pass, when I was struck from behind by a car in the slow lane. I have made a complaint before about this same issue and something needs to be done. I have already sent my car to the dealership and they reset the…
Vehicle has hesitation during acceleration, it lags and transmission is unresponsive most of the times. There are other times that the vehicles transmission will downshift and rev up while coasting down hill while foot is off accelerator. Vehicle only has 59k miles on it and should not be having this issue. It's like the transmission just doesn't know what gear it should be in. Infiniti needs to…
The transmission in the m37's have a major flaw. It is a 7 speed and has a difficult time figuring what gear to go into. When you are accelerating onto an off ramp there is a major delay and the transmission can't figure out what gear to go into. You could be killed trying to get on an interstate because the car won't go. When you slow down the transmission will gear down sporadically. When…
Hesitating/jerking. Unable to accelerate past 44-45 MPH, 2400 RPM. Had to move from the far left lane across 4 lanes shoulder was driving on a city main rd and the front passenger side axle slipped out fo socket and and caused my car to be inoperable
My Infiniti m37x hesitates on take off. When coming to a stop the transmission seem to be down shifting after coming to a stop. It shifts at random times throughout the driving cycle. This has been happening for a long time. I'm taking the car into the dealer this week to get the software updated. This is ridiculous Infiniti. I'm hoping there's a permanent fix for this very soon. *tr
The car hestitates, jerks, revs at low speed, rough idling, and slow acceleration. I replaced the MAF sensor b 4 months ago after my car engine ligth came on while on the highway and I couldnt accelerate pass 30 miles per hour.I had to pray and drive to the nearest place for them to fix it.
The transmission in the m37's are really bad. The 7 speed transmission has a very difficult time figuring what gear to go into. When you are accelerating onto an off ramp or even after a red light there is a major delay because the transmission can't figure out what gear to go into. It goes threw the first 3 gears way to fast and slows you down tremendously. You could be killed trying to get on…
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Infiniti m37. While the vehicle was parked, it rolled away without warning. The failure recurred multiple times. The manufacturer was notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000. Updated 10/06/16*lj *tr
When you start the car stalls. And hesitates. The transmission does not downshift properly and is a serious safety hazard. I went to get in traffic and the car hesitated and almost got me hit. It appears that all over the blogs this is a common problem. They try to correct with a software update but to no avail.
Had powertrain trouble with your 2011 INFINITI M37?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2011 INFINITI M37?
It's a meaningful issue. 15 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 11 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 35,000 and 63,000 miles, with the median around 44,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 35,000; a quarter make it past 63,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/INFINITI/M37.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.