41 of the
307 complaints filed about the Infiniti Q45
are about the electrical system —
13% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1994.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 INFINITI Q45. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND ALL POWER WAS LOST. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE FAILURE RECURRED RANDOMLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 61,000. UPDATED 11/29/16*LJ THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE TRADED THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 12/06/16.
NHTSA complaint #10894023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS DRIVING AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON, THEN VEHICLE CUT OFF ON THE HIGHWAY. I ASSUMED IT WAS A BAD ALTERNATOR, BUT IT WAS A DEFECTIVE CRANK SENSOR.
NHTSA complaint #10638308 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE A 2003 Q45 AND THE CAR HAS SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING SEVERAL TIMES. THERE IS HAS IN THE CAR. I GET IT MAINTENANCE REGULARLY. ITS SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY PUTTING MY FAMILY AT RISK. ITS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. AFTER DOING ONLINE SEARCHES I DETERMINED THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL. PLEASE RESEARCH THIS ISSUE BECAUSE I AM TERRIFIED TO DRIVE THIS CAR. IF THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH ELECTRONIC CHIP, INFINITI SHOULD HAVE TO REPLACE IT. THANK YOU
NHTSA complaint #10574227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY LOW BEAM HEADLAMP SYSTEM HAS NOW FAILED AT TWO SEPARATE TIMES, BOTH DURING NIGHTTIME DRIVING. THE FIRST WAS ON NOVEMBER 2, 2009, AT 37,600 MILES, THE LEFT HID BALLAST FAILED; NISSAN REPAIRED THE FAILURE UNDER WARRANTY ALTHOUGH ITS TIME-PORTION HAD EXPIRED. THE SECOND FAILURE WAS AT 47,600 MILES ON DECEMBER 1, 2011. NISSAN/INFINITI CONSUMER AFFAIRS WERE TOLD AND ACKNOWLEDGED THAT MILEAGE WARRANTY WAS NO-WHERE-NEAR EXPIRED - BUT TIME HAD - YET, TALKED AS THOUGH THEY WOULD HELP WITH THE REPAIR. THE QUID-PRO-QUO WAS THAT I GET AN INFINITI DEALER TO VERIFY PROBLEM AND COST TO REPAIR. AT MY COST OF $125.88 THE INFINITI DEALER AGREED THE RIGHT BALLAST WAS NOW BAD; COST TO REPAIR APPROXIMATELY $1100. NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS WERE INSTRUCTED (ACCORDING TO CA) BY A HIGHER ECHELON OF NISSAN NOT TO REPAIR. CA DID AGREE TO REFUND MY DEALER COST OF $125.88. CONCLUSION: IN 2004 THIS WAS NISSAN/INFINITI'S PREMIUM PRODUCT. THIS CAR WAS EARLIER REPORTED TO NHTSA BECAUSE THE FORE-AFT POWER FUNCTION OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT FAILED AT 42,170 MILES AND NISSAN WOULD ACCEPT NO RESPONSIBILITY. SURELY THE NHTSA MUST REASONABLY THINK THAT FAILURE OF A DRIVER'S SEAT IN ITS REARMOST POSITION AND TWO FAILURES OF THE LOW-BEAM HEADLAMP SYSTEM COULD EASILY PLACE ANY DRIVER AND HIS/HER PASSENGERS IN A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION.
NHTSA complaint #10443498 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SOMETIME AFTER I PURCHASING THE ABOVE VEHICLE IN NOVEMBER, 2001, THE ENGINE WOULD FAIL TO START WITHOUT RECHARGING THE BATTERY. AFTER RECHARGING, THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT NO MALFUNCTION AND OPERATE NORMALLY FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME. THIS CONDITION WOULD REOCCUR INFREQUENTLY, AND HAS SINCE MANIFESTED ITSELF BY SHOWING NO CHARGING FROM THE ALTERNATOR. INFINITI IDENTIFIED THIS PROBLEM WITH A RECALL BEGUN ON 03/15/2002, AS A DEFECTIVE DIODE DAMAGED IN MANUFACTURE. THIS ACTION IS IDENTIFIED AS NHTSA ACTION # PE02034. AT NO TIME WAS I NOTIFIED BY INFINITI OF THIS RECALL, AND THE SYMPTOMS OF MALFUNCTION I HAVE EXPERIENCED ARE CLEARLY A RESULT OF A DEFECTIVE ALTERNATOR/DIODE. I CONTACTED INFINITI ON 11/08/2011 AND THEY DENIED ME ANY ASSISTANCE. I REQUEST YOUR ASSISTANCE IN REQUIRING INFINITI TO CORRECT THIS MALFUNCTION WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED HAD INFINITI NOTIFIED ME DURING THE RECALL PERIOD. MY OWNERSHIP OF THE VEHICLE WAS A MATTER OF PUBLIC RECORD AND COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN OBTAINED.
NHTSA complaint #10435271 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE CAR CAN REFUSE TO START RIGHT AFTER IT HAS BEEN DRIVEN AND SHUT OFF OR AFTER IT HAS BEEN PARKED FOR A WHILE. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING ALOT IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS. WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY,THAT WERE ALL REPLACED EARLY THIS YEAR BY PREVIOUS OWNER. SOMETIMES JUMPING THE CAR WORKS AND OTHER TIMES IT DOES NOT. THE PROBLEM STARTED ONE DAY WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS. THE BRAKE LIGHT AND BATTERY SIGNS APPEARED ON THE DASH AND DISAPPEARING AFTER THAT,THE CAR STARTED TO REFUSE STARTING AND NEEDED A JUMP. WE INSTALLED A NEW BATTERY DAYS AGO AND THE CAR STARTED RIGHT UP. BUT IT REFUSED TO START THE NEXT DAY AGAIN AND TOOK 4 ATTEMPTS TO GET IT GOING. IT ALSO SEEMS THAT WHILE AT A STOP SIGN/LIGHT TRYING TO TAKE OFF,THE CAR REFUSES TO MOVE EVEN WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. IT TAKES QUITE AN EFFORT TO MAKE THE GAS PEDAL RESPOND,MAKING THE CAR JERK/LURCH FORWARD WITH GREAT FORCE.
NHTSA complaint #10399487 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY 2003 INFINITI Q45 REPEATEDLY STALLS [SO FAR, 15+ TIMES] AND OFTEN WILL NOT RESTART [10+ TIMES]. WITH MY FAMILY AND ME IN THE CAR, THE STALLING OF THE CAR PUTS US REPEATEDLY IN JEOPARDY OF A REAR-END COLLISION OR VANDALISM OR BODILY INJURY IN DANGEROUS AREAS. THE CAR IS PROPERLY MAINTAINED ON ITS SERVICE SCHEDULE. IT TOOK MY MECHANIC A WEEK AT A COST OF $90 TO CONFIRM THAT THE PROBLEM IS THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE [ECM], THE 'BRAIN' OF THE CAR WHICH CONTROLS OTHER VEHICLE SENSORS, AND THIS WAS CONFIRMED BY THE INFINITI DEALER AT A COST OF $150. THE ECM WAS SENT TO TEXAS FOR RECONDITIONING AND REPROGRAMMING, BUT IS BEING RETURNED BECAUSE THE ECM IS IRREPARABLE. THE COST TO BUY AND REPROGRAM A NEW ECM FROM INFINITI, THE ONLY SOURCE, IS $2000 FOR A VEHICLE WITH 100,000+ MILES. BUT A NEW ECM WILL LIKELY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS AS THE ECM BEING REPLACED. I DO NOT WANT TO PUT MY FAMILY IN REPEATED JEOPARDY. THERE IS NO ASSURANCE THAT THE NEW ECM WILL WORK PROPERLY. I AM SUSPICIOUS THAT THE INFINITI ECMS CONTAIN NUMEROUS DESIGN FLAWS. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS, ASIDE FROM STALLING, WITH THE EXISTING ECM, INCLUDING DOOR LOCKS AUTOMATICALLY LOCKING WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SO THAT I AM LOCKED OUT, THE LOCKS NOT UNLOCKING, ETC BOTH MY MECHANIC AND INFINITY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THESE PROBLEMS UNTIL IT BECAME CLEAR THAT I HAD A MALFUNCTIONING ECM. THERE WAS A RECENT MASSIVE RECALL OF NISSAN AND INFINITI ECMS, BUT THE INFINITI Q45 WAS EXCLUDED, EVEN THOUGH THE SYMPTOM OF REPEATED STALLING IS IDENTICAL TO MY CAR, EXCEPT THAT, WORSE, I ALSO OFTEN CANNOT RESTART THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10364192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2004 INFINITI Q45 LEMON THIS AUTOMOBILE HAS AN IN-SERVICE DATE OF 12-17-04, PURCHASED BY ME ON 02-08-08 AT 26,670 MILES WITH 10 MONTHS REMAINING ON THE TIME WARRANTY THAT'S EXPIRED. IT WAS RETURNED TO MAJOR INFINITI ON 09-29-10 WITH 42,171 MILES ^0,000 WARRANTY) AND AN INOPERATIVE DRIVER'S SEAT (NO REAR/FORWARD FUNCTION) FIXED IN AN UNSAFE POSITION FOR ME AND IMPOSSIBLE FOR MY WIFE - (7) INCHES SHORTER. AFTER DIAGNOSIS, MAJOR INFORMED ME THE REPAIR COST WOULD BE $1300 AND THAT INFINITI REFUSED ANY WARRANTY RESPONSIBILITY. I CALLED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND SPOKE TO EMILY WHO GAVE ME A FILE # [XXX] AND TOLD ME A REGIONAL SPECIALIST WOULD CALL WITHIN TWO DAYS, NEXT DAY, SEPTEMBER 30, I CALLED NCA AGAIN AND TALKED TO [XXX], REGIONAL SPECIALIST. SHE TOLD ME I COULDN'T HAVE AN ANSWER ON NCA COVERING THE SEAT PROBLEM UNTIL MONDAY 10-4-10. OCTOBER 1, I AUTHORIZED ORDERING OF THE SEAT ADJUSTER ASSEMBLY AS I HAD NO OPTION SINCE OUR OTHER CAR WOULD BE UNAVAILABLE AFTER MONDAY. [XXX] CALLED OCTOBER 4 AND SAID NISSAN WOULD DO NOTHING TOWARD A WARRANTY REPAIR. MY COMPLAINT: FIRST, AN INOPERATIVE DRIVER'S SEAT SHOULD QUALIFY AS A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT. MY WIFE AND I DRIVE WITH A 9 INCH HEIGHT DIFFERENTIAL AND WITH AN INOPERATIVE SEAT - AS IT WAS - SHE COULDN'T DRIVE WITHOUT PERCHING ON THE VERY FRONT EDGE. WITHOUT A SEAT BELT. I HAD NO OPTION BUT TO REPAIR THIS SEAT OR ABANDON ANY NOTION OF DRIVING OUT OF TOWN. IF WE DROVE OUT OF CELL PHONE COVERAGE AND I BECAME UNABLE TO DRIVE, AS IN AN EMERGENCY, MY WIFE WOULD BE COMPELLED TO DRIVE US WITHOUT THE SECURITY OF ADEQUATE SEATING AND SEAT RESTRAINTS. SECOND, AND ANOTHER REASON MY COMPLAINT, THIS CAR HAS A HISTORY OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS: CD @ 28395; CRUISE CONTROL @ 32442; BATTERY@35193; HEADLIGHT BALLAST AND LAMP @ 37694. UNRELATED BRAKE REPLACEMENT @ 36396. A DRIVER'S SEAT SHOULD QUALIFY AS SAFETY-RELATED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10359119 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 INFINITI Q45. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT BOTH THE BRAKE LIGHT AND BATTERY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A CHEVROLET DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE ALTERNATOR FAILED. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 101,000.
NHTSA complaint #10236370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 INFINITI Q45. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. SHE CALLED AAA TO GET THE VEHICLE TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE, BUT NO FAILURES WERE FOUND AT THAT TIME. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 28,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000. UPDATED 01/02/08. *LJ UPDATED 12/12/07
NHTSA complaint #10206126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT DURING 2006 THEY REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR IN HER 2001 INFINITI Q45. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED BECAUSE SHE WAS INFORMED OF A RECALL IN CANADA FOR A SIMILAR FAILURE. THE CURRENT ODOMETER READING IS 79000. *NM UPDATED 03/02/07.
NHTSA complaint #10178823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD PURCHASED 1992 INFINITY Q45 ON 02/2006 ,AND ON 12/21/06 THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STEERING WAS DIFFICULT TO HANDLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION LEAKING. THE DEALERSHIP THAT SOLD HER THE TRANSMISSION, AND ENGINE HAD TO REPLACE THEM, , AND T THE VEHICLE NEEDED SEVERAL OTHER REPAIRS AS WELL. THE DEALERSHIP SOLD HER THE VEHICLE THAT WAS NOT SAFE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS SHE WAS NOT ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION.
NHTSA complaint #10178243 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FACTORY INSTALLED BOSE RADIO SOUND SYSTEM, RIGHT REAR SPEAKER AMPLIFIER STARTED TO SMOKE & BURN. THE INCIDENT STARTED BY A STATIC SOUND,BLACK SMOKE,FIRE,WITHIN 3 MINUTES. RADIO STATIC FOR 3 MINUTES AS IF AN ELECTRICAL STORM WAS APPROCHING. INCIDENT PROGRESSED TO FIRE. F.D.OF NY CALLED. DRIVER ESCAPED. GAS TANK LOCATED BEHIND REAR SEAT, SIMILAR TO THE PINTO WHICH CAUSED MANY FIRES AND EXPLOSIONS IN THE PAST. COMPLAINT BY NHTSA LISTS " CONDITION COULD RESULT IN SMOKE OR FLAME AND POSSIBLY THE SPEAKER CATCHING FIRE" CAMPAIGN #98V284000 NISSAN OF NORTH AMERICA CALLED ME TO SAY THE ONUS OF RESPONSIBILITY WAS NOT THERES', BEFORE BOSE INVESTIGATION WAS CONCLUDED. BOSE IS STILL IN THE PROCESS OF INVESTIGATING THE PROBLEM. THE DETERMINATION OF WHAT CAUSE THE FAILURE IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION AS OF JUNE 24TH. A CHILDS SAFETY SEAT INSTALLED PROPERLY WOULD PLACE THE CHILD IN HARMS WAY OR WORSE, DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. IE.GAS TANK BEHIND REAR SEAT,WIRES RESTING ON TANK. NHTSA ID 98V28400 RECALL #. UNITS AFFECTED 28,970 NOTHING WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. NISSAN SAID THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE ODI 10124338 REPLACED CIRCUIT BOARD RECALLED DIDN'T CORRECT THE PROBLEM. NOTHING HAS BEEN REPLACED OR REPAIRED AS OF 6/24/2005
NHTSA complaint #10126437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1 - THERE IS UP TO A TWO SECOND DELAY WHEN QUICK ACCELERATION IS REQUIRED. AT TIMES IT FEELS AS IF THE ENGINE COMPLETELY STALLED. 2 - THE VEHICLE OFTEN WILL NOT DOWNSHIFT TO SLOW THE VEHICLE ON A HILL. I COULD BE IN 5TH GEAR AT AROUND ONLY 1800 RPM, AND WHEN I DOWNSHIFT TWICE, IT WILL NOT GO TO 3RD. I OFTEN HAVE TO DOWNSHIFT UP TO 6 TIMES FOR IT TO RESPOND AND SWITCH TO THIRD. I NEED TO TAKE MY EYES OFF THE ROAD TO CONSTANTLY CHECK IF I'M IN THE GEAR I SELECT. 3 - THE PARKING/EMERGENCY BREAK WILL NOT HOLD THE FULLY LOADED VEHICLE ON A HILL. IF THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK FAILS, THE VEHICLE WILL ROLL. ALL ISSUES ARE CONSIDERED TO BE NORMAL BY THE MANUFACTURER. THEY CORRECTED THE PROBLEM ON THEIR NEW 2005 VERSION AND REFUSE TO DO SO ON MY VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10120811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE EXPERIENCES A TOTAL ELECTRICAL SHUTDOWN. FIRST OCCASION WAS AFTER A 6 HOUR DRIVE AND SHUT DOWN IN THE PARKING LOT. VEHICLE WAS TRANSPORTED 100 MILES TO NEAREST INFINITY DEALERSHIP, ALTERNATOR CHECKED OUT, RECHARGED THE BATTERY AND RETURNED THE VEHICLE. SECOND EXPERIENCE OCCURRED 1 MONTH LATER WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AGAIN EXPERIENCED TOTAL SHUTDOWN, ALL LIGHTS ON DASH CAME ON, ENGINE SHUTDOWN. VEHICLE TOWED TO INFINITY DEALERSHIP, REPLACED ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY, AS OF THIS DATE CONTINUING TO SEARCH FOR CAUSE.
NHTSA complaint #10102680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
A FEW WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE OF MY 2002 INFINITI Q45 (UNDER 4000 MILES)DURING AN EXTENDED ROAD TRIP, I LOST ALL CONTROLS ON MY A/C AND AUDIO SYSTEMS.IN A SEPARATE INCIDENT, I ALSO LOST CONTROL OF MY CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM. AFTER STOPPING AND RESTARTING THE CAR, THE SYSTEMS WERE RE- ACTIVATED. WITH THE EXTENSIVE COMPUTERIZED SYSTEMS ON THIS CAR, THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A MUCH MORE SERIOUS PROBLEM! I REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO MY DEALER BUT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ON ANOTHER LONG TRIP,A FEW THOUSAND MILES LATER,BOTH PROBLEMS REOCCURRED. THIS TIME MY DEALER ASKED TO KEEP THE CAR FOR SEVERAL DAYS DURING WHICH TIME THE SITUATION DID REPLICATE. THE TECHNICIANS TRACED THE PROBLEM TO A DEFECTIVE RADIO(?) WHICH THEY REPLACED. LESS THAN 100 HUNDRED MILES LATER ON A HIWAY TRIP, BOTH CONDITIONS REOCCURRED.THE CAR IS BACK IN THE SHOP!I HAVE ALERTED INFINITI CONSUMER AFFAIRS FOR THE SECOND TIME OF THIS PROBLEM . THEY ARE SAYING THEY CAN'T FIX IT, IF THEY CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM!HELLO!!!ANY ADVICE WOULD BE APPRECIATED. I CERTAINLY DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR. WHAT CAN HAPPEN NEXT?
NHTSA complaint #10068052 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE VEHICLE WOULD REV EXTREMELY HIGH WHEN THE GAS PEDAL WAS PRESSED. THIS VEHICLE HAD A RECALL FOR A DEFECTIVE ALTERNATOR, BUT THE RECALL EXPIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM( RECALL NO. #02V171000 DAMAGED ALTERNATOR).
NHTSA complaint #10057615 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY WIFE STARTED THE ENGINE IN A CHURCH PARKING LOT AND THE BATTERY LITERALLY EXPLODED, SPREADING BATTERY ACID UNDER THE HOOD. BESIDES THE BATTERY, THE ONLY VISIBLE DAMAGE WAS A BADLY PITTED FAN. THE BATTERY WAS A REPLACEMENT WHICH HAD BEEN INSTALLED BY COMPETITION INFINITI, SMITHTOWN, NY, 2 YEARS AND APPROXIMATELY 20,000 MILES EARLIER. AFTER SOME DISCUSSION, THE DEALERSHIP FINALLY AGREED TO PAY FOR A REPLACEMENT BATTERY AND FAN. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO FURTHER DAMAGE UNDER THE HOOD. AN EMPLOYEE VOLUNTEERED THAT THIS WAS THE SECOND EXPLODING BATTERY THEY HAD SEEN IN THE RECENT PAST. NO FURTHER INFORMATION WAS GIVEN TO ME ON THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION.
NHTSA complaint #766178 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.