Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1991 Infiniti Q45
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Brakes
816.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Equipment & Accessories
714.3%
0 crashes, 3 fires
Electrical System
714.3%
Suspension
510.2%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
48.2%
Transmission & Drivetrain
48.2%
Engine & Cooling
48.2%
Doors, Latches & Locks
24.1%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Fuel & Propulsion
24.1%
Airbags
24.1%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Other & Unspecified
12.0%
0 crashes, 1 fires
Wheels
12.0%
Tires
12.0%
Body & Structure
12.0%
Exactly what failed
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.
Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.
627.3%
Pads
418.2%
Front
313.6%
Gasoline
29.1%
Ignition
29.1%
Power Window Devices AND Controls
29.1%
Manual Transmission
29.1%
Springs
14.5%
When owners complained
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.
Jan 1995peak 8May 2004
NHTSA investigations into the 1991 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.
EA98015Opened 25 Jun 1998Closed 18 Nov 1998ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
REAR STEREO SPEAKER FIRES
ALLEGED THAT THE OEM BOSE REAR STEREO SPEAKER IGNITE AS A RESULT OF ELECTRONIC FAULTS INSIDE THEIR INTEGRAL AMPLIFIER MODULES
PE98007Opened 6 Feb 1998Closed 25 Jun 1998ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FIRE
ODI HAS RECEIVED REPORTS ALLEGING PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FIRES ORIGINATIONG FROM THE REAR STEREO SPEAKERS IN CERTAIN SUBJECT VEHICLES
EA95007Opened 10 Mar 1995Closed 2 Aug 1995SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE
Recalls on the 1991 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
98V284000
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH BOSE REAR SPEAKERS THAT HAVE AN INTEGRAL AMPLIFIER. A CONDUCTIVE BRIDGE CAN FORM BETWEEN TWO LINES OF THE CIRCUIT BOARD PATTERN WHEN THERE IS ACCUMULATED ELECTROLYTE LEAKED FROMA CAPACITOR AND HIGH HUMIDITY CONDITIONS. THIS CAN CLOSE A TRANSISTOR ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD WHICH CAUSES OVERHEATING.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN SMOKE OR FLAME AND POSSIBLY THE SPEAKER CATCHING FIRE.
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.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 1998217609 units in Canada
Electrical
On certain vehicles, elecrtolyte leakage and high humidity conditions could cause a short circuit in the rear speaker integrated amplifier. This condition could result in overheating, and a possible speaker fire. Correction: The circuit board in the rear speaker amplifier will be replaced with a new one that has an anti-humidity coating.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Saint Marys, GACrash
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
WRECK ON PASS SIDE AFTER HOOD CAME UP AND IT WAS LATCH BUT CAME LOOSE.
NHTSA complaint #745931 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Union City, CA1 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY
SUNVISORS HIT DRIVER OR PASSENGER ON HEAD WHEN GOING AROUND TURNS. SUNVISORS ARE NOT ADJUSTABLE AND CANNOT BE REPAIRED BY DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #735136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
League City, TXFire
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
THE NHTSA DID A RECALL ON THE BACK SPEAKERS FOR THIS SAME CAR AND THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT SPEAKER AS WELL.
NHTSA complaint #705208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cinnaminso, NJFire
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
SHORT OR SPARK BEHIND RADIO RESULTED IN VEHICLE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #544217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fairfield, CAFire
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #703351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Orleans, LAFire
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
LEFT REAR SPEAKER IGNITED, RESULTING IN A FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #527378 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Detroit, MI
AIR BAGS
I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE PASSIVE RESTRAINTS(AIR BAGS) THAT WERE USED IN THE 1991, INFINITI, Q45. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT IN NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY, AND INJURIES RESULTED. ADDITIONALLY, I HAVE UNCOVERED THAT INFINITI IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, YET A RECALL WAS NEVER ISSUED. IN INFINITI'S OWE IN HOUSE BULLETINS IT IS LISTED THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE "CRASH ZONE SENSOR." ALSO REFERENCE IS MADE REGARDING A "PINS IN CONNECTOR FOR BETTER CONTACT" AND THE AIR BAG HARNESS. WHY HASN'T A RECALL BEEN ISSUED? FORTUNATELY I HAVE NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN THE THIRTEEN YEARS THAT I HAVE OWED MY 1991 INFINITI Q45. HOWEVER, NOW I AM NOW WORRIED. SINCE I HAVE NOT PERSONAL EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM AND YOU HAVE A REQUIRED FIELD I HAVE USED THE DATE MY CAR WENT INTO ACTIVE SERVICE.
NHTSA complaint #10074484 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Battyville, KY
WHEELS:RIM
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE RIM ON THE VEHICLE CRACKED PREMATURELY, WITHOUT VEHICLE BEING IN AN ACCIDENT. NOT THE ORGINIAL RIM OF THE VEHCILE KMC RIMS.PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFO. NLM
NHTSA complaint #8018620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saint Marys, GACrash
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
WRECK ON PASS SIDE AFTER HOOD CAME UP AND IT WAS LATCH BUT CAME LOOSE.
NHTSA complaint #745931 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vienna, VA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
INTERMITTENTLY, THE VEHICLE STALLS OUT WHEN DECELERATING AND THE POWER STEERING DISENGAGES. THIS HAS CAUSED ALMOST SERVERAL MISSED CRASHES. A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN # FC0008624 HAS BEEN ISSUED ON THIS SITUATION. (LETTER WRITTEN BY FATHER FOR DAUGHTER)
NHTSA complaint #556905 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Union City, CA1 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY
SUNVISORS HIT DRIVER OR PASSENGER ON HEAD WHEN GOING AROUND TURNS. SUNVISORS ARE NOT ADJUSTABLE AND CANNOT BE REPAIRED BY DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #735136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orlando, FL
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHEN SWITCHING GEARS FROM PARK TO DRIVE VEHICLE HESITATES, CONSUMER ALSO, WHEN TRAVELING THERE IS A LOUND NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END, TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER STATED FUEL FILTER LINE NEEDED REPLACING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #844944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orlando, FL
SUSPENSION:FRONT
WHEN SWITCHING GEARS FROM PARK TO DRIVE VEHICLE HESITATES, CONSUMER ALSO, WHEN TRAVELING THERE IS A LOUND NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END, TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER STATED FUEL FILTER LINE NEEDED REPLACING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #844944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orlando, FL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
WHEN SWITCHING GEARS FROM PARK TO DRIVE VEHICLE HESITATES, CONSUMER ALSO, WHEN TRAVELING THERE IS A LOUND NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END, TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER STATED FUEL FILTER LINE NEEDED REPLACING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #844944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST. Simons Island, GA
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
FRONT SPEAKERS BEGAN MALFUNCTIONING LESS THAN AN HOUR AFTER A RECALL SERVICE REPLACING THE REAR SPEAKER AMPLIFIORS. RECALL NOTICE STATED THAT REAR SPEAKERS COULD MALFUNCTION AND CAUSE A FIRE. THE NOTICE WARNED THAT IF A "POP" WAS HEARD TO TURN OFF THE SYSTEM. WITHIN LESS THAN AN HOUR OF THE RECALL SERVICE THE FRONT SPEAKERS BEGAN TO OCCASINALLY "POP" AND THEN GO OFF AND ON. THE CASSETTE PLAYER ALSO BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION FOR THE FIRST TIME , GO "OFF AND ON" AND PLAYS TAPES AT AN ACCELEATED RATE OF SPEED. DEALER AND INFINITTI HAVE BEEN CONTACTED AND REFUSE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEMS STATING NO CONNECT BETWEEN THE PERFORMED RECALL AND THREE COMPONENT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WHCIH APPEARED FOR THE FIRST TIME LESS THAN AN HOUR LATER. PLEASE TELL ME IF THE FRONT SPEAKER "POPPING" REPRESENTS ANY KIND OF SAFETY RISK AND IF SO WHAT I NEED TO DO?
NHTSA complaint #709110 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newark, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
THE COMPUTER ALMOST CAUGHT ON FIRE BECAUSE IT IT'S LOCATED DIRECTLY ABOVE THE GAS TANK. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #843178 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Azusa, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
TERMINAL TO FUEL MODULATOR SHORTED CAUSING FAILURE OF MODULATOR. THIS OCCURRED TWICE AND RESULTING IN FAILURE OF A SECOND MODULATOR AND FUEL PUMP.
NHTSA complaint #708413 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
League City, TXFire
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
THE NHTSA DID A RECALL ON THE BACK SPEAKERS FOR THIS SAME CAR AND THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT SPEAKER AS WELL.
NHTSA complaint #705208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cinnaminso, NJFire
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
SHORT OR SPARK BEHIND RADIO RESULTED IN VEHICLE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #544217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Roswell, GA
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
RECALL REPAIR OF THE REAR SPEAKER/AMPLIFIERS COMPLETED, FRONT SPEAKERS ARE EXPERIENCING SAME DEFECT HOWEVER ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #544094 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
League City, TX
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
CONSUMER UNPLUGGED THE SPEAKER FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AFTER HE HAD EXPERIENCED FUMED/ODORS FROM THAT AREA. CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE REAR SPEAKER FIRES--I RECALL 9V-284.
NHTSA complaint #835782 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fairfield, CAFire
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #703351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hull, GA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER
DEFECTIVE TORQUE CONVERTER IS CAUSING A VIBRATION EFFECT WHEN GAS IS PRESSED AND SPEEDODMETER READS 40-55 MPH. DEALER CONTACTED, AND ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WITH OTHER MODELS, BUT NOT ON THIS MODEL. HOWEVER, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #834811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newhyde Park, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
RADIATOR CAP LEAKS, CAUSING FLUID TO LEAK OUT ONTO THE ENGINE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #833212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Orleans, LAFire
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
LEFT REAR SPEAKER IGNITED, RESULTING IN A FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #527378 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
VEHICLE HAS DEFECTIVE BRAKE PADS. WHILE DRIVING AND PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT GOES DOWN METAL TO METAL. THERE WAS NO WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHT. SPEED LIMIT IS AT NORMAL OR BELOW, WHEN GOING DOWN HILL THE VEHICLE IS IN SECOND GEAR, DEALER CONTACTED DEALER, AND STATES THAT THE PADS ARE SUFFICIENT FOR THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #823480 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mission Viejo, CA
SUSPENSION
DIAPHRAGM ON THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM HAS A TENDENCY TO RUPTURE AND IS EVIDENCED BY A GENERAL COLLAPSE OF THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM AT ALL FOUR CORNERS OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #512042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Carlsbad, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
VEHICLE HAS A HISTORY OF REQUIRING BRAKE PADS EVERY 3000 TO 12000 MILES. OWNER FEELS THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #529741 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Queen Vall, AZ
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #527594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Queen Vall, AZ
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
RIGHT PASSENGER WINDOW FALLS DOWN INSIDE OF DOOR. TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKS ONTO EXHAUST SYSTEM RESULTING IN LOTS OF SMOKE.
NHTSA complaint #527595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Queen Vall, AZ
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
WINDOW FALL DOWN INTO DOOR.
NHTSA complaint #527596 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.