Should I worry about the oil gallery gasket on my Infiniti M37?

Short answer: Owners disagree on how much the M37 is affected. The gasket problem is known on VQ37 engines, mostly ones built before 2013, and many go 200k miles without it. Watch for cam timing codes or a rattle, and keep up with oil changes. One owner was quoted $2,200 for the job.

Symptom: You've heard about VQ37 oil gallery gaskets failing and want to know what to watch for. Signs include cam timing codes (P0011, P0021), a timing rattle, or low oil pressure.

What to check first

1. Read the codes if the check engine light comes on. Cam timing codes are an early warning.
2. Listen for timing rattle on cold start.
3. Change the oil on time with the right grade.
4. Ask a shop that knows the VQ37 about your engine's build date.

Likely causes

1. Oil gallery gasket blowing out (VQ37 engines). The oil gallery gaskets seal oil passages that feed the timing parts. If one fails, oil pressure to the timing system drops, which can set cam timing codes like P0011 or P0021.
2. Timing and oil codes from other causes. Low oil, the wrong oil or bad sensors can set the same codes, so check those first.

What it usually costs

One owner was quoted $2,200 for the gasket job.

Is it safe to keep driving?

Yes, if there are no codes or noises. If the oil pressure light comes on, stop the engine right away.

DIY or shop?

Checking codes and oil is DIY. The gasket job is a big shop job because the timing cover comes off.

Recalls, bulletins and complaints in plain words

• Recalls: NHTSA's recall lookup returned no data for the Infiniti M37 for 3 model-year queries on 2026-11-04, so we couldn't confirm recalls here. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If your car is part of a recall, the dealer fixes it for free.
• Plain words: The complaint count below shows how often owners reported problems that mention these words to NHTSA. A count is not proof of a defect. NHTSA's recall lookup returned no data for 2011-2013.
• NHTSA complaints: 19 keyword-matched complaints for Infiniti M37 2011–2013 (of 85 unique complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-11-04; keywords: oil pressure, oil, timing, gasket, check engine, engine) (NHTSA returned no data for 3 model-year queries). This counts complaints that mention these words. It is not a defect finding.

What owners report

• In Anyone here experience the oils gallery gasket issue on their Infiniti M37? on Reddit r/infiniti, a 2011 M37x owner at 83,000 miles asked how worried to be. One owner said it's any VQ engine and had just done the job on his wife's EX, where the gasket had blown out with no symptoms. The OP said a $2,200 quote was a lot for a 14-year-old car. Others said it's mostly a Z and G problem, mainly on VQ37s from before 2013, and that plenty go 200k+ miles.
• In M37X issues, known problems TIA on Reddit r/infiniti, a buyer looking at a 2011 M37x with 113k miles asked about known issues. One reply said this generation doesn't have oil gallery gasket problems because of how it's built. Another owner had gone from 87k to 132k miles with no engine or transmission trouble by changing fluids with OEM transmission fluid.

Quick tip

Don't panic, but don't ignore cam timing codes. If you're doing other front-of-engine work anyway, ask about the gaskets.

Vehicle focus: Infiniti M37, 2011-2013 (VQ37VHR V6).

Safety / mechanic note

Low oil pressure can destroy the engine in minutes. Verify with a mechanic.