IllustrationFUEL GAUGE INCORRECTLY INDICATED 1/2 TANK OF FUEL, BUT THE VEHICLE RAN OUT OF GAS WHILE ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, FORCING ME TO EXIT TO BERM. GAUGE STILL INDICATES INCORRECT FUEL LEVEL. *TR
2004 Infiniti M45
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2004 Infiniti M45 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 27.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all M45 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
20–25K
325–50K
1350–75K
1175–100K
9100–150K
4150K+
42 reports with mileage · 1 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
Fuel System, Gasoline complaints
23 reportsPURCHASED MY 2004 INFINITI M45 AT WILLOW GROVE INFINITI IN THE SUBURBS OF PHILADELPHIA WITH 22,160 MILES. I PERFORMED A THOROUGH TEST DRIVE AND FOUND NO PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. THE CAR WAS BOUGHT TO BE MY "WEEKEND" CAR SINCE I'M ALREADY SUPPLIED WITH A COMPANY CAR FROM WORK.AFTER 3 WEEKS OF MINIMAL DRIVING, FOUND THAT I HAD PUT O…
Read full complaint
PURCHASED MY 2004 INFINITI M45 AT WILLOW GROVE INFINITI IN THE SUBURBS OF PHILADELPHIA WITH 22,160 MILES. I PERFORMED A THOROUGH TEST DRIVE AND FOUND NO PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. THE CAR WAS BOUGHT TO BE MY "WEEKEND" CAR SINCE I'M ALREADY SUPPLIED WITH A COMPANY CAR FROM WORK.AFTER 3 WEEKS OF MINIMAL DRIVING, FOUND THAT I HAD PUT OVER 300 MILES BUT THE FUEL GAUGE WAS STILL READING JUST UNDER HALF TANK. THIS CAR HAS A 20 GALLON TANK AND IS KNOWN TO HAVE BETWEEN 16-19 MPG. AT THE VERY BEST, LOGIC WOULD SAY I WOULD GET 380 MILES OUT OF A FULL TANK. I DECIDED TO KEEP DRIVING UNTIL IT REACHED 1/4 TANK REMAINING TO SEE WHAT KIND OF MPG I'D RECEIVE FROM A FULL TANK. I DID NOT GET THE CHANCE. AT MILE 346 IN THE TRIP ODOMETER, THE CAR SPUTTERED TO A STOP. LUCKILY, I WAS ONLY 3 BLOCKS AWAY FROM MY HOME. I LOOKED AT MY GAS GAUGE AND IT READ BETWEEN THE HALF TANK MARK AND THE QUARTER TANK MARK. I IMMEDIATELY REMOVED THE IDEA OF IT BEING A FUEL PROBLEM AND THOUGHT IT HAD TO BE ELECTRICAL. BUT AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS OF RESTARTING, THE ELECTRICITY WAS FINE EXCEPT THE CAR WOULD REMAIN ON FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN SPUTTER TO A STOP. I WALKED HOME AND FILLED A 1 GALLON TANK OF GAS WITH THE HELP OF MY SISTER FOR TRANSPORTATION. I FILLED MY EMPTY TANK WITH 1 GALLON OF FUEL, STARTED THE CAR, AND DROVE TO THE GAS STATION TO FILL UP THE REST. IT TOOK OVER 19 GALLONS OF GAS TO FILL IT UP. THE TANK WAS BONE DRY. I WAS RELIEVED THAT THIS INCIDENT DIDN'T HAPPEN ON THE LONG ISLAND EXPRESSWAY OR ANY OTHER NY PARKWAYS BECAUSE PULLING OVER WOULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IF I WAS GIVEN THE CHANCE BY OTHER MOTORISTS.OBVIOUSLY FILLING THE TANK WITH 20 GALLONS IS A PROBLEM. I DID MY DUE DILIGENCE ONLINE AND FOUND COUNTLESS M45 OWNERS TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM: HTTP://FORUMS.NICOCLUB.COM/ZEROTHREAD?ID=316682 I TOOK MY CAR TO COMPETITION INFINITI IN SAINT JAMES, NY AND WAS TOLD INFINITI DOES NOT REPAIR THIS COMMON PROBLEM. I FIND THIS UNACCEPTABLE FOR A CUSTOMER TO PAY $1000+ FOR THIS WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. *TR
ON FEBRUARY 28, 2010, MY 2004 INFINITY M45 GAS GAUGE READ THAT I HAD A LITTLE OVER A 1/4 TANK OF GAS. AS WAS DRIVING DOWN MATHILDA AVENUE IN SUNNYVALE I BEGAN TO NOTICE THAT MY VEHICLE WAS SPUTTERING. I MANAGED TO GET ONTO EL CAMINO REAL AND LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER. UNFORTUNATELY, I COASTED TO THE RIGHT CURB IN A BUS…
Read full complaint
ON FEBRUARY 28, 2010, MY 2004 INFINITY M45 GAS GAUGE READ THAT I HAD A LITTLE OVER A 1/4 TANK OF GAS. AS WAS DRIVING DOWN MATHILDA AVENUE IN SUNNYVALE I BEGAN TO NOTICE THAT MY VEHICLE WAS SPUTTERING. I MANAGED TO GET ONTO EL CAMINO REAL AND LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER. UNFORTUNATELY, I COASTED TO THE RIGHT CURB IN A BUS STOP AREA. I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT I WAS NOT HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE AS MY VEHICLE WAS BARELY ABLE TO COAST TO THE CURB. MY HUSBAND ARRIVED WITH A GAS CAN AND POURED GAS INTO THE FUEL TANK AND THE CAR STARTED. I CALLED THE FRONTIER INFINITY IN SANTA CLARA, CALIF. WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR AND EXPLAINED THE SITUATION. THEY RESPONDED THAT THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT SINCE MY CAR MODEL WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. *TR
Official recalls
212V088000 · Fuel System, Gasoline
Mar 6, 2012
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003-2004 INFINITI M45 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 7, 2002, THROUGH JUNE 3, 2004. DUE TO A CIRCUIT BOARD FAILURE, THE FUEL GAUGE MAY READ A FUEL LEVEL HIGHER THAN ACTUALLY EXISTS. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE MAY RUN OUT OF GAS WITHOUT NOTICE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE VEHICLE MAY STALL WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE CIRCUIT BOARD FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-647-7261.
04V497000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
Oct 13, 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE IS APPLIED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 25, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
3PE11038 · Fuel Level Gauge System Failure
Opened Dec 14, 2011 · Closed Mar 22, 2012
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Other:storage:fuel Gauge System
In a March 5, 2012 letter to NHTSA, Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) submitted a Defect Information Report identifying a defect in the combination meter circuit board in approximately 8,120 model year 2003 through 2004 Infiniti M45 vehicles manufactured from March 7, 2002 through June 3, 2004 (Recall No. 12V-088). According to Nissan, heat generated by several components of the circuit board may cause solder cracks due to thermal shock.Open circuits created by the solder cracks may cause the fuel gauge to read higher than the actual amount of fuel remaining in the gas tank or always indicate full.Because of this condition, drivers may run out of fuel without notice, resulting in an engine stall without warning with no possibility of restart. The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) analyzed complaint data provided by Nissan as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers.In total, there were 315 unique reports indicating an inaccurate fuel level reading while driving, including 61 that resulted in an engine stall incident (7.5 incidents per thousand vehicles).In addition, Nissan provided warranty data showing 2,525 claims for replacement of the subject component (31% claim rate).Nissan will begin owner notification in mid-April 2012.Owners of the recalled vehicles will be notified to take their vehicle to an Infiniti dealer, who will install a sub-amplifier in the combination meter to bypass the electric circuit and ensure accurate fuel level indication.This preliminary evaluation is closed.The ODI reports cited above can be viewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers (ODI Nos.): 10429412, 10427140, 10426741, 10424642, 10423199, 10418078, 10416519, 10414944, 10412053, 10408935, 10406834, 10406096, 10404206, 10404080, 10395207, 10392714, 10386134, 10380863, 10374719, 10373992, 10369584, 10365717, 10365428, 10356315, 10353972, 10351181, 10349252, 10348351, 10342961, 10342641, 10336272, 10329869, 10325399, 10324572, 10323996, 10323757, 10322403, 10320190, 10318987, 10317547, 10317273, 10317234, 10317030, 10308445.
EA09005 · Non-deployment Of Side Thorax Air Bags
Opened Apr 1, 2009 · Closed Apr 3, 2012
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:side/window
The subject vehicles are equipped with seat-mounted, side thorax air bags for the driver and front passenger.This investigation revealed that faulty side air bag module electrical connectors located under the driver and front passenger seats can cause an interruption in the electrical circuit that will drop the input voltage below the specified range.As a result, the air bag warning lamp illuminates on the instrument panel and the affected side air bag becomes deactivated.In June 2009, Nissan conducted a service campaign to repair the defective air bag electrical connectors in the subject vehicles (both Infiniti Q45 and M45 models).In June 2010, Nissan sent a second notification concerning the 2009 campaign to owners of vehicles that have not been remedied.Nissan is now conducting a safety recall of the Q45 vehicles not remedied under the service campaign (approximately 1,349 vehicles; see NHTSA Safety Recall No. 12V-079 for further details).The M45 vehicles are not included in the recall; however, Nissan is re-notifying owners of M45 vehicles that were not remedied under the previous service campaign.See attached report for more information.A safety-related defect trend has not been identified in the Infiniti M45 vehicles at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists.The agency will monitor the issue and reserves the right to take future action if warranted by the circumstances.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers: 10327196 and 10402282
PE08067 · Side Air Bag NON-DEPLOYMENT
Opened Dec 2, 2008 · Closed Apr 1, 2009
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:side/window
THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH SEAT-MOUNTED, SIDE TORSO AIR BAGS FOR THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS REVEALED THAT FAULTY SIDE AIR BAG MODULE CONNECTORS LOCATED UNDER THE FRONT SEATS CAN CAUSE AN INTERRUPTION IN THE ELECTRICAL CURRENT THAT WILL DROP THE INPUT VOLTAGE BELOW THE SPECIFIED RANGE.AS A RESULT, THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATES AND THE AFFECTED SIDE AIR BAG IS DEACTIVATED.THE RATES OF COMPLAINTS, FIELD REPORTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT ISSUE ARE VERY HIGH.FOR EXAMPLE, NISSAN SUBMITTED 4,853 WARRANTY CLAIMS ON 3,551 DISTINCT SUBJECT VEHICLES OUT OF 13,836 TOTAL SUBJECT VEHICLES.ALSO, ANALYSES OF WARRANTY CLAIMS INDICATE AN INCREASING FAILURE TREND OVER TIME.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA09-005) TO FURTHER STUDY THE ISSUE.