Owners have filed 16 complaints
about the 1998 Infiniti Q45 with NHTSA between 1999 and 2014.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 4 of 8 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 40
Against the median year of the Infiniti Q45. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
56.3% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1998 Infiniti Q45
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Airbags
637.5%
4 crashes, 0 fires · median 76,001 mi
Electrical System
318.8%
0 crashes, 1 fires
Brakes
212.5%
Seat Belts
16.3%
Median failure at 77,000 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
16.3%
Suspension
16.3%
Steering
16.3%
Median failure at 130,000 miles
Engine & Cooling
16.3%
Median failure at 100,000 miles
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.
Jun 1999peak 2Nov 2014
Recalls on the 1998 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.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 20021177,768 units in Canada
Electrical
On certain vehicles one of the diodes used in the alternator may have been damaged when built. This can eventually result in failure of the diode and an electrical short, which could melt the plastic housing. If the combustible gas emitted by the melting plastic does not disperse due to air flow through the engine compartment, it could ignite and in turn ignite the fan guide in the alternator. Correction: dealers will replace the alternator.
Recall 1999030316 units in Canada
Powertrain
Duplicate recall, see original 1998174. Certain vehicles do not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 114 - Locking System. There is the possibility that the ignition key can be removed at times when the engine is turned off without placing the transmission shift lever in the "Park" position. If this were to occur, and the driver failed to move the shift lever to "Park" after removing the key and failed to engage the parking brake before exiting the vehicle, the vehicle could roll away. Correction: Shift lock control unit will be replaced.
Recall 1998174318 units in Canada
Other
THE SHIFT LOCK CONTROL UNIT MAY NOT SEND A LOCK SIGNAL TO THE KEY INTERLOCK MECHANISM SOLENOID. THIS WOULD MAKE IT POSSIBLE TO REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY AFTER TURNING THE ENGINE OFF AND NOT PLACING THE SHIFT LEVER IN THE "PARK" POSITION. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR AND THE DRIVER FAILED TO MOVE THE SHIFT LEVER TO THE "PARK" POSITION OR TO ENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE BEFORE EXITING THE VEHICLE WHILE PARKED ON A SLOPE, THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AWAY. CORRECTION: SHIFT LOCK CONTROL UNIT WILL BE REPLACED.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 76,002 milesFayetteville, NCCrash2 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE OWNER HIT A VEHICLE ON THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES, BUT DID NOT SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION. *AK *SC *JB THE IMPACT WAS SO GREAT THAT IT PUSHED BACK THE FRAME RAIL ONE INCH. THE CONSUMER IS QUESTIONING WHETHER OR NOT THE VEHICLE EVEN HAS AIR BAGS AND WANTS NISSAN TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10115140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 76,000 milesFayetteville, NCCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH THE VEHICLE COLLIDED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SPINAL INJURIES AND THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED CHEST AND BACK INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS CONSIDERED TOTAL LOSS. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10111384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa Monica, CACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
FRONT SEAT PASSENGER - 5'9" SITTING ALL THE WAY BACK WITH SEAT BELT ON. LIFTED LEFT ARM UP JUST BEFORE FRONT END CRASH IMPACT AND SUFFERED A BAD FRACTURE REQUIRING SURGERY AND PIN PLACEMENT TO LEFT DISTAL RADIUS (FOREARM BONE NEAR WRIST ON THUMB SIDE). 1998 INFINITY Q45. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10016534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Calabasas, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
THE CAR WAS PARKED AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR APPROX 1.5 MILES AND AFTER ABOUT 15 20 MINUTES RESTAUARANT ATTENDANT INQUIRED WHO OWNS THAT CAR? AND INFORMED THAT THERE IS SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE CAR. 911 WAS CALLED FOR FIRE DEPT HELP. FIRE FIGHTERS EXTINQUISHED THE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #762141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Angele, CACrash4 injured
AIR BAGS
NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAG DURING COLLISION, FRONT OF VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED ENOUGH TO GIVE AIRBAG WARNING FOR DEPLOYMENT, HOWEVER THERE WERE MULTIPLE INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #608581 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Tuscon, AZ
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 INFINITI Q45. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WAS FAULTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10659426 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesHarvey, IL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 INFINITI Q45. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE SENSOR ILLUMINATED AND THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #10639792 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesWilliamsburg, VA
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 INFINITI Q45. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC SHOP WHO ADVISED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS FRACTURED AND THE REPAIRS WOULD COST $2400. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED WHO ADVISED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
NHTSA complaint #10397468 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 76,002 milesFayetteville, NCCrash2 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE OWNER HIT A VEHICLE ON THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES, BUT DID NOT SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION. *AK *SC *JB THE IMPACT WAS SO GREAT THAT IT PUSHED BACK THE FRAME RAIL ONE INCH. THE CONSUMER IS QUESTIONING WHETHER OR NOT THE VEHICLE EVEN HAS AIR BAGS AND WANTS NISSAN TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10115140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 76,000 milesFayetteville, NCCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH THE VEHICLE COLLIDED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SPINAL INJURIES AND THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED CHEST AND BACK INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS CONSIDERED TOTAL LOSS. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10111384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa Monica, CACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
FRONT SEAT PASSENGER - 5'9" SITTING ALL THE WAY BACK WITH SEAT BELT ON. LIFTED LEFT ARM UP JUST BEFORE FRONT END CRASH IMPACT AND SUFFERED A BAD FRACTURE REQUIRING SURGERY AND PIN PLACEMENT TO LEFT DISTAL RADIUS (FOREARM BONE NEAR WRIST ON THUMB SIDE). 1998 INFINITY Q45. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10016534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 77,000 milesHurracane, UT
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
SEAT BELT RETRACTER ON DRIVER SEAT IS VERY WEEK AND MUST BE ASSITED TO RETACT
NHTSA complaint #10003579 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Catheral, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY VEHICLE SHUTOFF WITHOUT ANY WARNING. AS A RESULT, TO ALTERNATOR MALFUNCTIONED. DEALER CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #8015106 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Catheral, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY VEHICLE SHUTOFF WITHOUT ANY WARNING. AS A RESULT, TO ALTERNATOR MALFUNCTIONED. DEALER CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #8015106 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Calabasas, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
THE CAR WAS PARKED AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR APPROX 1.5 MILES AND AFTER ABOUT 15 20 MINUTES RESTAUARANT ATTENDANT INQUIRED WHO OWNS THAT CAR? AND INFORMED THAT THERE IS SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE CAR. 911 WAS CALLED FOR FIRE DEPT HELP. FIRE FIGHTERS EXTINQUISHED THE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #762141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cranberry Township, PA
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT APPEARED ON DASHBOARD CONSTANTLY. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #8004292 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lake Worth, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKE SYSTEM FAILS TO ADEQUATELY STOP VEHICLE. LSO, VEHICLE WILL INTERMITTENTLY SURGE WHILE BRAKES ARE BEING APPLIED. DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE, BUT CANNOT FIND A REMEDY FOR THE PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER FEELS THIS COULD BE RELATED TO BRAKE BOOSTER FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #6900670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lake Worth, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
BRAKE SYSTEM FAILS TO ADEQUATELY STOP VEHICLE. LSO, VEHICLE WILL INTERMITTENTLY SURGE WHILE BRAKES ARE BEING APPLIED. DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE, BUT CANNOT FIND A REMEDY FOR THE PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER FEELS THIS COULD BE RELATED TO BRAKE BOOSTER FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #6900670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tampafl 33626, FL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STICKING WHILE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED. TOOK EXTREME PRESSURE TO RELEASE STICKAGE AND VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD DUE TO PRESSURE ON ACCELERATOR PEDAL. IN TRAFFIC CREATED A HAZARD TO VEHICLES IN FRONT.
NHTSA complaint #737806 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Villa Park, CA
SUSPENSION
GEAR SHIFT VIBRATED ABOVE 30 MPH. YH
NHTSA complaint #609086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Angele, CACrash4 injured
AIR BAGS
NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAG DURING COLLISION, FRONT OF VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED ENOUGH TO GIVE AIRBAG WARNING FOR DEPLOYMENT, HOWEVER THERE WERE MULTIPLE INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #608581 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.