2004 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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 INFINITI M45. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE ENGINE STALLED, AND ALL OF THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE DIAGNOSTIC RESULTS WERE UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE REMEDY FAILED TO PREVENT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 168,000.

NHTSA ID

10783209

Incident

Oct 17, 2015

Mileage

168,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 INFINITI M45. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND FAILED TO RESTART. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO PARTS STORE, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CAM SHAFT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,000.

NHTSA ID

10773839

Incident

Sep 19, 2015

Mileage

171,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 INFINITI M45. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V497000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,924.

NHTSA ID

10693943

Incident

Mar 10, 2015

Mileage

155,924 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 INFINITI M45. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED SPUTTERING BEFORE STALLING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED AND MOMENTS LATER, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE FAILURE MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,191.

NHTSA ID

10595819

Incident

May 5, 2014

Mileage

111,191 mi

FRAME ON DRIVERS SEAT BROKEN CAUSING SEAT TO LIST TO THE LEFT SIDE. PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED BY DEALER WHO INFORMED US AT THE TIME THAT IT COULD NOT BE REPAIRED AGAIN, IT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT AT COST OF APPROX $1800.00. SEAT CURRENTLY NOW NEEDS REPLACEMENT. THIS IS A ONE OWNER VEHICLE AND HAS BEEN MAINTAINED BY THE DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ID

10544826

Incident

Sep 14, 2012

Mileage

88,000 mi

THE FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED ON JUNE 3RD DRIVING TO WORK AND THE CAR JUST GAVE OUT. IT STALLED, LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASHBOARD AND CAR DIED. I WAS ABLE TO DRIFT TO A SIDE STREET IN WHICH I TRIED TO START THE CAR AGAIN; HOWEVER, THE CAR WOULD NOT START UP. I HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO MY HOUSE. AFTER SITTING FOR THE DAY, I TRIED TO START IT UP AGAIN AND IT STARTED. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE ADVANCE AUTO NEAR MY HOME WHERE THEY PUT IT ON THE MACHINE TO SEE IF THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ALTERNATOR AND/OR BATTERY. ALTERNATOR WAS GOOD AND THE BATTERY HAD SOME DEAD CELLS BUT I WAS TOLD NOT ENOUGH FOR THE CAR TO JUST DIE OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. THE NEXT DAY I INSTALLED A NEW BATTERY, THE CAR STARTED, DROVE ONTO THE INTERSTATE AND IT STALLED AGAIN (MY DAUGHTER WAS IN THE CAR) I HAD TO DRIFT TO SERVICE ROAD. I HAD TO LEAVE THE CAR OVERNIGHT, WENT BACK THIS MORNING (WEDNESDAY)AND THE CAR STARTED, I DROVE DIRECTLY TO THE INFINITI DEALER AND WAS DIAG.W/A BAD CRANK POSITION SENSOR. I HAD IT REPAIRED. I RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM THE FIRST DAY IT HAPPENED AND FOUND THAT A RECALL WAS IN PLACE FOR OVER 620K M45'S;HOWEVER MINE WAS NOT ONE OF THEM. SAME PART, SAME DIAG, SAME MODEL, DIFFERENT YEAR. THIS IS DEFINITELY A HAZARDOUS PROBLEM AND I AM SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE FEES I PAID TODAY ALONG WITH SOMEONE LOOKING INTO RECALLING THIS PART IN THE M45 MODELS. ITS RIDICULOUS NOT TOO IF THE SAME PART HAD TO BE REPLACED IN A 2004 WITH THE SAME DIAG. AND NOT A 2003. IF THIS IS NOT THE CORRECT DEPARTMENT I NEED TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH, I NEED TO KNOW WHO CAN REALLY LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE. LUCKILY, NO ONE WAS HURT IN MY SITUATION BUT IT IS BOUND TO HAPPEN BECAUSE GOING HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH YOUR CAR COMING TO A SLOW PACE INSTANTLY CREATES A VERY FRANTIC SITUATION. *TR

NHTSA ID

10515366

Incident

Jun 3, 2013

Mileage

137,519 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 INFINITI M45. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE VDC, ENGINE, AND SEATBELT LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND CHANGED THE BATTERY A DAY LATER BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,523. ..UPDATED 06/28/13 *BF UPDATED 07/3/2013 *JS

NHTSA ID

10515329

Incident

Jun 3, 2013

Mileage

137,523 mi

WENT TO SIT IN CAR AND HEARD A LOUD POP AS I SAT. SEAT WAS THEN SHAKY AND UNSTABLE. FURTHER INSPECTION REVEALED THE SEAT WAS LOOSE OR BROKEN ON THE LEFT SIDE. TOOK CAR TO INFINITI WHERE I WAS TOLD THE SEAT CAME OUT OF THE TRACK AND THE SEAT TRACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1200. *TR

NHTSA ID

10502616

Incident

Jan 19, 2013

Mileage

99,500 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.