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2003 Infiniti Q45

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 11 of 12 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

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.

  • Engine. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

12 reports
186,241 miles · May 5, 2021
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR CRANK POSITION SENSOR AND CAM POSITION SENSOR HAVE IMPROPER SOLDER JOINTS. THIS HAS CAUSED THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON, THE ENGINE MAY NOT START, POWER REDUCES, ENGINE STALLS AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR WHILE IN MOTION, ON A CITY STREET OR HIGHWAY OR WHILE MAKING A TURN. THIS IS ALSO A COMMON PROBLEM WITH…

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THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR CRANK POSITION SENSOR AND CAM POSITION SENSOR HAVE IMPROPER SOLDER JOINTS. THIS HAS CAUSED THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON, THE ENGINE MAY NOT START, POWER REDUCES, ENGINE STALLS AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR WHILE IN MOTION, ON A CITY STREET OR HIGHWAY OR WHILE MAKING A TURN. THIS IS ALSO A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2002 INFINITI M45, Q45; 2003 INFINITI I35, M45; 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA, MAXIMA, MURANO, SENTRA. THERE ARE 11 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS, 3 INVESTIGATIONS AND 33 SERVICE BULLETINS REGARDING THIS ISSUE WITH THE 2003 Q45. INFINITI/NISSAN RECALL # 03V455000

NHTSA ODI #11415335

150,000 miles · Nov 29, 2017
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 INFINITI Q45. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 INFINITI Q45. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.

NHTSA ODI #11051157

Mileage unknown · Mar 29, 2017
Seat Belts

TAMARA RECALLED MY SEATBELT LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR THE LAST YEAR. I WERE TOLD BY THE INFINITY DEALER THAT MY CAR WAS NOT RECALL FOR THE SEATBELT. THE SEATBELT WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON CONSTANTLY IN THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM AND A LITTLE BLANKING ICON. I AM TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRS

NHTSA ODI #10969410

61,000 miles · Aug 8, 2016
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

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 …

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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.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10894023

112,000 miles · Sep 25, 2015
Engine

START CAR FIRST THING IN THE AM. DRIVING NORMAL. WITHIN 5 MILES ENGINE SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING. LOOSE ALL POWER. NO CODE APPEARS. AUTO WILL NOT START. FINALLY STARTS AFTER 5 OR 6 TRIES. THIS PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED TO OCCUR EVERY TWO OR THREE DAYS OVER THE LAST SIX MONTHS. BUT AUTO STARTS IMMEDIATELY AFTER. AUTO AND TRANSMISSION…

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START CAR FIRST THING IN THE AM. DRIVING NORMAL. WITHIN 5 MILES ENGINE SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING. LOOSE ALL POWER. NO CODE APPEARS. AUTO WILL NOT START. FINALLY STARTS AFTER 5 OR 6 TRIES. THIS PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED TO OCCUR EVERY TWO OR THREE DAYS OVER THE LAST SIX MONTHS. BUT AUTO STARTS IMMEDIATELY AFTER. AUTO AND TRANSMISSION ARE NOT PERFORMING PROPERLY. NOW THE ENGINE STALL WHILE DRIVING IS HAPPENING ON A DAILY BASIS. AUTO HAS BEEN CHECKED OUT AT GEORGE HARTE INFINITI, WEST HAVEN, CT AT LEAST FIVE TIMES. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THEY CANNOT ADDRESS THE PROBLEM BECAUSE NO ERROR CODE APPEARS. OTHER THAN THIS PROBLEM, THIS AUTO IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND SHOULD PERFORM SATISFACTORILY FOR MANY YEARS TO COME. THERE WAS A RECALL (INFINITI R3021) THAT ADDRESSED THESE EXACT PROBLEMS, BUT THE DEALER SERVICE MANAGER CLAIMED THAT THIS CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED. THIS PROBLEM IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD AND THERE SHOULD BE SOME WAY THIS CAN BE FIXED. SIMILAR, IF NOT EXACT, COMPLAINTS FOR THIS EXACT MODEL INFINITI HAVE BEEN POSTED ON THE INTERNET WITH OWNERS INDICATING OUTRAGEOUS FRUSTRATION WITH THE INFINITI MANUFACTURER. WHEN THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS INDICATING EXACT PROBLEMS, THE FAULT CERTAINLY LAYS WITH THE MANUFACTURER. IS THERE SOMETHING THAT CAN BE DONE?

NHTSA ODI #10777700

94,000 miles · Mar 31, 2015
Engine

I OWN A 2003 INFINITY Q45 AND WITHOUT WARNING THIS VEHICLE STALLS WHERE EVER IT WANTS AT A LIGHT WHILE YOU DRIVING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY ON A MAJOR STREET NO WARNING WHAT SO EVER AND INFINITY IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT THEY ONLY WANT TO HELP CERTAIN VIN NUMBERS. I TOOK MY FAMILY SKIING TO SCRANTON PA AND ON INTERSTATE I80 THE CAR …

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I OWN A 2003 INFINITY Q45 AND WITHOUT WARNING THIS VEHICLE STALLS WHERE EVER IT WANTS AT A LIGHT WHILE YOU DRIVING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY ON A MAJOR STREET NO WARNING WHAT SO EVER AND INFINITY IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT THEY ONLY WANT TO HELP CERTAIN VIN NUMBERS. I TOOK MY FAMILY SKIING TO SCRANTON PA AND ON INTERSTATE I80 THE CAR STALL WITHOUT WARNING MY ENTIRE FAMILY COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS IS A BIG ISSUE AND BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED SOMEONE SHOULD HELP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10702990

92,000 miles · Feb 4, 2015
EngineSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 INFINITI Q45. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, A NOISE EMITTED FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAN BELT AND POWER STEERING BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THREE MONTHS LATER, THE VEHI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 INFINITI Q45. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, A NOISE EMITTED FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAN BELT AND POWER STEERING BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THREE MONTHS LATER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10681313

80,000 miles · Jul 15, 2014
EngineSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 INFINITI Q45. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND RESUMED TO NORMAL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS N…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 INFINITI Q45. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND RESUMED TO NORMAL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

NHTSA ODI #10610755

100,000 miles · Mar 23, 2014
Electrical System

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…

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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 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10574227

110,202 miles · Jun 15, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesSteering

BOUGHT 2003 Q 45 IN SPRING 2007, STILL UNDER WARRANTY. JUNE 2009 AT 79,000 MILES THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED (UNDER WARRANTY). 6/30/09, 80,081 MILES CAR PROBLEM WITH NO ACCELERATION AND SERVICE ENGINE AND CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT COMING ON. PROBLEM DIDN'T REOCCUR UNTIL JUNE 2012 WHEN ENGINE SUDDENLY CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. WOULD RESTART…

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BOUGHT 2003 Q 45 IN SPRING 2007, STILL UNDER WARRANTY. JUNE 2009 AT 79,000 MILES THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED (UNDER WARRANTY). 6/30/09, 80,081 MILES CAR PROBLEM WITH NO ACCELERATION AND SERVICE ENGINE AND CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT COMING ON. PROBLEM DIDN'T REOCCUR UNTIL JUNE 2012 WHEN ENGINE SUDDENLY CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. WOULD RESTART IN NEUTRAL BUT IN A WEEK OR SO IT DID IT AGAIN ON THE INTERSTATE AT ABOUT 55. FORTUNATELY WAS IN RIGHT LANE AND COULD GET TO EMERGENCY LANE BEFORE SOMEONE RAN INTO ME. CAR RESTARTED. CONTINUED LIKE THIS UNTIL 6/29/12 WHEN REPAIRED, ONLY IT CONTINUED TO STOP AND THE CRUISE CONTROL/TRACTION LIGHTS WOULD COME ON AND CAR WOULD SUDDENLY STOP AND THEN SURGE FORWARD. 8/11/12 SERVICED FOR SAME PROBLEM. 8/14/12 SAME THING, CAR STOPPED THEN SURGED, THEN THE ENGINE CUT OFF AND LOST STEERING/BRAKES. INFINITI SERVICE AGAIN, THIS TIME INSTALLING NEW ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE ($ 1600). THE DEALER KEPT THIS CAR FOR SEVERAL DAYS AND A MECHANIC DROVE IT UNTIL IT HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MECHANIC OR SOMEONE AT INFINITI DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS A "DEATH TRAP" AND IT IS. A FEW WEEKS LATER GOING AROUND A ROUNDABOUT, THE ENGINE TURNED OFF AND LOST STEERING. PUT IN NEUTRAL AND RESTARTED. COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER, ENGINE TURNED OFF WHILE DRIVING. FRIDAY JUNE 7, 2013 I PULLED ONTO BUSY HIGHWAY, DROVE A MILE AND ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED. BEFORE I COULD GET IN NEUTRAL TO RESTART, A DUMP TRUCK NEARLY REAR-ENDED ME. GOT IT RESTARTED, THEN THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON, CAR STOPPED AGAIN AND THEN SURGED FORWARD. I HAVE CONTACTED INFINITI AND INTERNET SEARCHED. THERE WERE MANY INFINITIS WITH THIS PROBLEM IN THE YEARS 2002-2003, THOUGH ROSWELL INFINITI SAID THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM ON ANY INFINITI YESTERDAY. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, AND INFINITI ACTS LIKE THEY KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10519942

Official recalls

1

12V079000 · Air Bags:side/window

Feb 28, 2012

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003-2005 INFINITI Q45 VEHICLES. A WIRING CONNECTOR FOR THE SEAT MOUNTED AIRBAG MAY EXPERIENCE INCREASED ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE, RESULTING IN THE NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE SIDE AIR BAGS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: NON-DEPLOYMENT OF SIDE AIR BAGS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE WIRING CONNECTOR, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 19, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-647-7261.

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

2

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.