2003 INFINITI M45

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.

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

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.

The contact owns a 2003 Infiniti M45. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the fuel gauge failed to read the fuel level correctly and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed several times to a dealer and independent mechanic however, the fuel gauge sensor could not be replaced. Additionally, on one occasion, the vehicle was steered to the side of the road where the vehicle was refueled. The vehicle was restarted but the failure persisted. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel filter needed to be replaced and the fuel gauge sensor needed to be cleaned. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

NHTSA ID

11586153

Incident

Jun 15, 2016

Mileage

160,000 mi

The contact owns a 2003 Infiniti M45. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The contact stated that the driver’s side module needed to be replaced. The driver’s side air bag module was replaced. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 112,965.

NHTSA ID

11503588

Incident

Oct 11, 2022

Mileage

112,965 mi

TRAVELING AT ABOUT 60 MPH ON A STATE ROUTE, THE CAR SHUT DOWN. NO POWER, NO DASH LIGHTS, INABILITY TO USE TURN SIGNALS TO INDICATE THE INTENTION OF CHANGING LANES TO THE RIGHT AND ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHICH NEARLY CAUSED A COLLISION AS THE CAR SLOWED TO CRAWL. ONCE PULLED ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AFTER MANY ATTEMPTS THE CAR STARTED AND WE DROVE IT HOME, THE SYMPTONS SUGGEST THE CAM POSITIONING SENSOR IS TO BLAME, WHICH SEEMS TO HAVE HAPPENED TO OTHER MOTORISTS.

NHTSA ID

11372644

Incident

Oct 31, 2020

Mileage

137,780 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 INFINITI M45. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED THE FUEL TANK WAS FULL AT ALL TIMES. THE VEHICLE RAN OUT OF FUEL DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER BENNETT INFINITI (1060 PA-315 WILKES BARRE PA) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 159,000. *BF*JB

NHTSA ID

11311141

Incident

Oct 1, 2019

Mileage

159,000 mi

I AM THE OWNER OF A WHITE 2003 INFINITI M45. A FEW YEARS AGO, I NOTICED A SMALL CHIP RIGHT ABOVE HE WINDSHIELD ON THE ROOF OF THE CAR. I CONTACTED INFINITI BACK THEN TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS, BUT THERE WERE NOT. AT THIS POINT, THERE IS NO PAINT COVERING THE TOP OF THE VEHICLE. AS OF TODAY, INFINITI STILL HAS NO RECALLS/CAMPAIGNS FOR CHIPPED PAINT OF THIS PARTICULAR MODEL. BUT, I DID FIND DURING RESEARCH THAT THERE NEW MODELS WITH DEFECTIVE (WHITE) PAINT THAT HAS BEEN REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER DAMAGE, I HAVE SEEN A COUPLE OTHER 2003 M45'S WITH CHIPPING PAINT. WHICH WOULD LEAVE BE TO BELIEVE THAT THERE MUST HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE PAINT. MY VEHICLE IS UNRECOGNIZABLE. THIS VEHICLE HAD BEEN GARAGED KEPT AND NOT DRIVEN FOR 1-2 YEARS, YET THE PAINT CONTINUED TO PEEL. I GOT AN ESTIMATE TO HAVE THE CAR PAINTED, WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN CLOSE TO $4,000! I WOULD JUST LIKE FOR THIS TO BE RESEARCHED THROUGH YOUR AGENCY IF AT ALL POSSIBLE. THANKS

NHTSA ID

11296617

Incident

Jan 1, 2016

2003 INFINITI M45 WITH APPROXIMATELY 106,000 MILES. CAR WILL STALL SUDDENLY AT HIGHWAY OR CITY ROAD SPEEDS NECESSITATING PUTTING CAR INTO NEUTRAL OR PULLING OVER TO RESTART. PREVIOUSLY, AFTER THIS HAD HAPPENED, A CODE FOR FAULTY CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS RECOVERED, AND BOTH THE CRANKSHAFT AND CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSORS WERE REPLACED WITH AFTERMARKET NEW PARTS FROM DURALAST. CAR NO LONGER HAS A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CODE ASSOCIATED WITH THE STALLING, BUT THE STALLING PERSISTS. ALSO, WHEN CAR IS COOLED TO AMBIENT TEMPERATURE, IT MAY TAKE 2-3 IGNITION ATTEMPTS TO START THE CAR AND OCCASIONALLY A BACKFIRE/MISFIRE IS HEARD DURING FAILED ATTEMPTS. IF CAR HAS SAT FOR MULTIPLE DAYS WITHOUT BEING DRIVEN, IT MAY TAKE 10-15 ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

11235295

Incident

Jul 27, 2019

Mileage

106,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 INFINITI M45. WHILE STATIONARY AND WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS,THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND "CHECK YOUR FUEL CAP" DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. A DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE CONTACT CITED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AS A POSSIBLE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES, AS REPORTED BY A CODE READER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

NHTSA ID

11121152

Incident

Dec 8, 2017

Mileage

100,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 INFINITI M45. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

NHTSA ID

10985831

Incident

Jan 1, 2016

Mileage

145,000 mi

CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “Certification Label” or “VIN Plate/Label” may be needed. HINT: Certification Label = FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) label. These items may be available from Infiniti by request if certain criteria are met. This bulletin lists the criteria and provides an application form for such replacements. · The “VIN Plate/Label” (metal plate or vinyl label) is attached to the instrument panel or body on the driver side at the base of the windshield (see Figure 1). · The “Certification Label” (vinyl adhesive label) is located on the lower area of the driver side B-Pillar (see Figure 1).

INTELLIGENT KEY NOT DETECTED / ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

REMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

WINDOW GLASS WARRANTY INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

WINDSHIELD CRACKING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

REMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.