RoadVitals

1997 INFINITI Q45

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
12
Latest Apr 18, 2016
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Jun 24, 2002
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 12 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1997 INFINITI Q45, most frequently naming the electrical, airbags and suspension categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 76 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical430.8%
  • Airbags215.4%
  • Suspension215.4%
  • Brakes17.7%
  • Engine17.7%
  • Interior & seats17.7%
  • Steering17.7%
  • Driver assistance17.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

Jun 24, 2002
161,000 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, ONE OF THE DIODES USED IN THE ALTERNATOR MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED WHEN BUILT. THIS CAN EVENTUALLY RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE DIODE AND AN ELECTRICAL SHORT WHICH COULD MELT THE PLASTIC HOUSING.
The risk: IF THE COMBUSTIBLE GAS EMITTED BY THE MELTING PLASTIC DOES NOT DISPERSE DUE TO AIR FLOW THROUGH THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, IT COULD IGNITE AND IN TURN IGNITE THE FAN GUIDE IN THE ALTERNATOR.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 29, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

May 20, 1999
17,000 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. ONE OF THE DIODES USED IN THE ALTERNATOR MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED WHEN BUILT. THIS CAN EVENTUALLY RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE DIODE AND AN ELECTRICAL SHORT WHICH COULD MELT THE PLASTIC HOUSING.
The risk: IF THE COMBUSTIBLE GAS EMITTED BY THE MELTING PLASTIC DOES NOT DISPERSE DUE TO AIR FLOW THROUGH THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, IT COULD IGNITE AND IN TURN IGNITE THE FAN GUIDE IN THE ALTERNATOR.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR.
NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Dec 14, 1998
22,000 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE IGNITION KEY CAN BE REMOVED WHEN THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF WITHOUT PLACING THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER IN THE "PARK" POSITION. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK, AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT."
The risk: IF THIS OCCURRED AND THE DRIVER FAILED TO MOVE THE SHIFT LEVER TO 'PARK' OR ENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE, THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AWAY IF PARKED ON A SLOPE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SHIFT LOCK CONTROL UNIT.
NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Brakes
Filed Apr 18, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 INFINITI Q45. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND. AN UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE STOPPED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED INTO THE NEUTRAL POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 162,915.

NHTSA ID
10860028
Incident
Apr 17, 2016
Mileage
162,915 mi
Airbags
Filed May 13, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 INFINITI Q45. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY BECAME FULL OF SMOKE AS THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER EXITED THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10588094
Incident
May 12, 2014
Mileage
140,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Nov 11, 2011

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
10435271
Incident
Nov 1, 2004
Mileage
38,000 mi
Electrical
Filed May 8, 2011

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
10399487
Incident
Apr 28, 2011
Mileage
153,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 30, 2008

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 ID
10236370
Incident
Jul 29, 2008
Mileage
101,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 5, 2004

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). *NM

NHTSA ID
10057615
Incident
Sep 16, 2003
Mileage
110,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Dec 3, 2001

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT BEGINNING IN EARLY 2001, WE ENCOUNTERED A PROBLEM WITH OUR INFINITY Q45T. IT HAS CONTINUED TO DEGENERATE SINCE THEN. THE GAS PEDAL DOES NOT ENGAGE READILY. WHEN AT A STOPPED POSITION AND WE PUSH ON THE PEDAL, IT ACTS AS IF IT IS CAUGHT OR BEING HELD BY SOMETHING. WITH MORE FORCE APPLIED, IT SUDDENLY RELEASES, CAUSING THE CAR TO LURCH FORWARD. ON 10/29/01 I SPOKE TO A STEVE AT INFINITYS CONSUMERS AFFAIRS OFFICE IN GARDENA, CALIFORNIA ABOUT THE PROBLEM. HE ADVISE THIS IS A COMMON AND KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE INFINITY AND IS CORRECTED IF THE CUSTOMER COMPLAINS WHEN THE CAR IS BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICE. HE ADVISED THAT SINCE MY CAR WAS ORIGINALLY PURCHASED ON 9/22/97, IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND WOULD ONLY BE REPAIRED AT MY COST. FOR INFINITY TO KNOW THEY HAVE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT OF THIS NATURE AND NOT RECALL THE VEHICLE, MAKES THEM, IN MY OPINION, CRIMINALLY LIABLE.BY COPY OF THIS MEMO TO NHTSA, I AM REQUESTING THEY INVESTIGATE THIS CAR AND TAKE APPROPRIATE MEASURES TO RECALL THESE AUTOMOBILES AND HAVE THEM CORRECTED AT THE MANUFACTURERS COST. ADDITIONALLY, I AM REQUESTING THAT APPROPRIATE ACTIONS BE TAKEN FOR INFINITY ALLOWING AN AUTOMOBILE WITH A KNOWN SAFETY DEFECT TO REMAIN ON OUR HIGHWAYS. PLEASE ADVISE THE RESULTS OF YOUR INVESTIGATION AND ACTION TAKEN. THANKS YOU, HOWARD J. & BONNIE J. TRICKETT. *AK

NHTSA ID
755224
Incident
Apr 1, 2001
Suspension
Filed Dec 23, 1999

THE VEHICLE HAS CONTINUALLY EXPERIENCED SEVERE VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END SUSPENSION WHILE DRIVING 40 TO 60 MPH, THE TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED DUE TO UNEVEN SEVERE WEAR OF THE INSIDE OF TIRES (NO MAKE/MODEL OF TIRE PROVIDED), ONE TIRE BLEW OUT DUE TO VIBRATION PROBLEMS. CONSUMER REPLACED TWO SETS OF TIRES IN 39000 MILES. *MJS

NHTSA ID
784372

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

ITB13-007H

STRUCTURE; VISIBILITY

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.

ITB09-039J

STRUCTURE; VISIBILITY

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

ITB10-067C

WHEELS

WHEEL BEARING COLLISION DAMAGE This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

ITB16-006A

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

INFINITI; FRONT SONAR PARKING SENSOR SERVICE INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

ITB97-038a

ENGINE; EQUIPMENT; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN 1997 Q45 INTAKE COLLECTOR GASKET LEAK Service Campaign ID # P7136 is no longer active.  Repair orders opened after this bulletin’s published date are no longer eligible for reimbursement under Campaign ID # P7136.  Discard all previous versions of ITB97-038.

ITB19-008

EQUIPMENT

EXTERIOR CLEANING INFORMATION SERVICE INFORMATION When cleaning the exterior of an Infiniti vehicle, damage may occur when using a cleaner with too high of an alkaline concentration. - Always refer to the Appearance and care section of the related owner?s manual. - Not all cleaners are created equal. - Many cleaners come in concentrated form. - Alkaline cleaners (cleaners with a high pH value) can cause spots on paint and trim when not used as directed. - Some commercial car washes use cleaners with a high pH value. - When using cleaners that meet the conditions defined in the Appearance and care section, be sure to carefully follow the cleaner?s directions. - When finished cleaning/washing, rinse thoroughly with clean water. IMPORTANT: Damage to paint, glass, bright metal, or any other exterior surface caused by using improper cleaning products is not covered under warranty. Always refer to the Paint Incident Identification Manual (PIIM) and Assurance Products Reference Manual (APRM). Follow the guidelines in the PIIM and APRM for non-warrantable exterior body, glass, or painted surface quality issues. To access the PIIM and APRM, login to nnanet.com: - For the PIIM, select: MY LINKS > Warranty > Paint Incident Identification Manual - For the APRM, select: MY DOCUMENTS > Warranty > APRM See further information in this bulletin.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

INFINITI Q45 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2006010
2005432
2004722
2003121243.6
2002201035.2
2001510
2000910
1999900
1998143060.9
1997Viewing123039.8
1996700
1995700
1994300047.8
1993200
1992281050.4
1991342362.0
1990281141.7
1989001
1988001
1987001

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.