Owners have filed 33 complaints
about the 1990 Infiniti Q45 with NHTSA between 1995 and 2004.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Apr 1995peak 4May 2004
NHTSA investigations into the 1990 Infiniti Q45
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA95007Opened 10 Mar 1995Closed 2 Aug 1995SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE
Recalls on the 1990 Infiniti Q45
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
95V103002
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
Risk: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Birmingham, ALCrash
SUSPENSION:FRONT
WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE ON UNEVEN PAVEMENT VEHICLE WILL LOOSE ITS STABILITY, SHOULDER BUMP, VEHICLE LOSS VEHICLE STABILITY IMPACT 11:00 POSITION SPEED 65 MPH. TT
NHTSA complaint #966724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 40 milesGreenville, SC
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10072769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40 milesGreenville, SC
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10072768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greenville, SC
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
THE CONSUMER HAD TO USE EXCESSIVE FORCE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM WAS LEAKING FLUID AND NEEDED TO BE SERVICED. THE PROBLEM RE-OCCURRED, AND THEN THE DEALER STATED THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10017527 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greenville, SC
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
THE CONSUMER HAD TO USE EXCESSIVE FORCE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM WAS LEAKING FLUID AND NEEDED TO BE SERVICED. THE PROBLEM RE-OCCURRED, AND THEN THE DEALER STATED THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10017527 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bogart, GA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I WAS TRICKED INTO BUYING THIS VEHICLE, BEING A FIRST TIME BUYER AND DIVORCED. INCLUDING THIS MAJOR FUEL LEAK (WHICH HAS NOT BEEN ESTABLISHED EXACTLY WHERE THE LEAK IS COMING FROM) THE TRANSMISSION IS GONE. EVEN IF THE TRANSMISSION IS REPLACED THE VEHICLE IS STILL TO HAZARDOUS TO DRIVE. I AM AT MY WITS END WITH THIS CAR BECAUSE I STILL OWE MONEY ON IT.
NHTSA complaint #717648 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bogart, GA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
I WAS TRICKED INTO BUYING THIS VEHICLE, BEING A FIRST TIME BUYER AND DIVORCED. INCLUDING THIS MAJOR FUEL LEAK (WHICH HAS NOT BEEN ESTABLISHED EXACTLY WHERE THE LEAK IS COMING FROM) THE TRANSMISSION IS GONE. EVEN IF THE TRANSMISSION IS REPLACED THE VEHICLE IS STILL TO HAZARDOUS TO DRIVE. I AM AT MY WITS END WITH THIS CAR BECAUSE I STILL OWE MONEY ON IT.
NHTSA complaint #717648 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tulsa, OK
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
INFINITI, THE MANUFACTURER, ISSUED A RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR 1991 AND 1992 MODEL Q 45'S. MINE IS A 1990 MODEL, WHICH HAS ALL OF THE WARNING SIGNS OF THE FIRE DANGER INVOLVED IN THE STEREO SPEAKER RECALL THAT WAS INSTITUTED, HOWEVER, INFINITI REFUSES TO INCLUDE THE 1990 MODELS. THEY ADMITTED THEY HAVE HAD REPORTS OF PROBLEMS WITH THE 1990 MODEL Q45 STEREO SPEAKERS, BUT THEY CONTINUE TO REFUSE TO INCLUDE THAT YEAR IN THE RECALL. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE 1990 MODELS ARE SUBJECT TO THE SAME FIRE DANGER AND I DON'T PARTICULARLY WANT MY CAR TO GO UP IN FLAMES DUE TO A SPEAKER/WIRING FAILURE THAT CAN BE EASILY FIXED BY THE MANUFACTURER IF INCLUDED IN THEIR RECALL CAMPAIGN.
NHTSA complaint #717539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mountain Brook, AL
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #717000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Leandro, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION IS NOISY UPON ENGAGING. DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT DUE TO INTERNAL PROBLEMS. NO WARRANTY, REPAIRWORK BEING DONE. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #832062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON DUE TO A DEFECTIVE ABS BRAKE LINE WHICH LEAKED, CAUSING THE ABS FLUID TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION AND VIN#.
NHTSA complaint #843396 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON DUE TO A DEFECTIVE ABS BRAKE LINE WHICH LEAKED, CAUSING THE ABS FLUID TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION AND VIN#.
NHTSA complaint #843396 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbia, SC
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
REAR BRAKE LAMP SOCKET OVERHEATS CAUSING SHORT IN SYSTEM RESULTING IN FAILURE OF ALL BRAKE LAMPS.
NHTSA complaint #544190 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Birmingham, AL
POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO COOLING SYSTEM MALFUNCTION.
NHTSA complaint #529635 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Birmingham, AL
POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO COOLING SYSTEM MALFUNCTION.
NHTSA complaint #529636 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Birmingham, AL
POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO COOLING SYSTEM MALFUNCTION.
NHTSA complaint #529637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dana Point, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
NHTSA HAS RECEIVED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND SERVICE BULLITENS (ACCORDING TO NHTSA RECORDS ACCESSABLE ON THE WEB) REGARDING THE FAULTY DESIGN AND FREQUENT FAILURE OF THIS DANGEROUS TRANSMISSION. WHY HAS THE NHTSA NOT INVESTIGATED THIS TRANSMISSION AND RECALLED IT?
NHTSA complaint #702369 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Redwood City, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TIMING CHAIN LOOSE CAUSING DAMAGE TO ENGINE.
NHTSA complaint #525846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TIMING GEAR FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #532771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cocoa Beach, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
VEHICLE HAS DEFECTIVE ABS BRAKES, LEAKS BRAKE FLUID AND BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON. THE CONSUMER HAS SPOKEN TO VARIOUS DEALERS, IT APPEARS THAT THE PROBLEM STARTED IN 1990-1992. IN MOST OF 1993 MODELS THE DEFECTS STARTED WITH THE VENDORS. ABS HOUSING OF METAL CASTINGS ARE DEFECTIVE AND STARTED TO BREAK AWAY INTERNALLY. *AK. SECOND ABS UNIT IS BEING INSTALLED IN VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #822706 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Woodinville, WA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. IN ADDITION, WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO WORK ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.
NHTSA complaint #526355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Woodinville, WA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. IN ADDITION, WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO WORK ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.
NHTSA complaint #526355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Beverly, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
WHEN CONSUMER IS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OF 50 OR ABOVE THE VEHICLE WILL MAKE A NOISE OF FUSES POPPING, AND THE VEHICLE WILL SHUT DOWN AT THAT TIME. THERE IS NO WARNING INDICATING THIS PROBLEM BEFORE HAND. VEHICLE HAS SHUT DOWN AND BEEN REPAIRED BY DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES. THE DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. WHEN VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN, CONSUMER WILL REPLACE FUSES FIRST. DEALER'S TELEPHONE NUMBER IS 908-782-6868. CONSUMER HAS EXPRIENCED SHUTDOWN FOR FOURTH TIME AS OF SEPTEMBER 10, 1997. DEALER SAYS SOMEONE WILL CALL CONSUMER, AND NO ONE HAS CALLED.
NHTSA complaint #816576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clemson, SC
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
BUSHON IN TRANSMISSION WORE OUT AND REDUCED LUBRICATION, ALSO NOISY.
NHTSA complaint #515325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clemson, SC
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
BUSHON IN TRANSMISSION WORE AND REDUCED LUBRICATION CAUSING VEHICLE VIBRATIONS AND STALLINGS.
NHTSA complaint #546663 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST Charles, MO
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
VEHICLE HAS THE SMELL OF FRESH FUEL WHEN HEATER IS TURNED ON.
NHTSA complaint #511778 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.