2004 INFINITI Q45 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2004 INFINITI Q45, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical321.4%
- Driver assistance214.3%
- Steering214.3%
- Engine214.3%
- Exterior lighting214.3%
- Interior & seats17.1%
- Brakes17.1%
- Body & structure17.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS DRIVING AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON, THEN VEHICLE CUT OFF ON THE HIGHWAY. I ASSUMED IT WAS A BAD ALTERNATOR, BUT IT WAS A DEFECTIVE CRANK SENSOR. *TR
MY LOW BEAM HEADLAMP SYSTEM HAS NOW FAILED AT TWO SEPARATE TIMES, BOTH DURING NIGHTTIME DRIVING. THE FIRST WAS ON NOVEMBER 2, 2009, AT 37,600 MILES, THE LEFT HID BALLAST FAILED; NISSAN REPAIRED THE FAILURE UNDER WARRANTY ALTHOUGH ITS TIME-PORTION HAD EXPIRED. THE SECOND FAILURE WAS AT 47,600 MILES ON DECEMBER 1, 2011. NISSAN/INFINITI CONSUMER AFFAIRS WERE TOLD AND ACKNOWLEDGED THAT MILEAGE WARRANTY WAS NO-WHERE-NEAR EXPIRED - BUT TIME HAD - YET, TALKED AS THOUGH THEY WOULD HELP WITH THE REPAIR. THE QUID-PRO-QUO WAS THAT I GET AN INFINITI DEALER TO VERIFY PROBLEM AND COST TO REPAIR. AT MY COST OF $125.88 THE INFINITI DEALER AGREED THE RIGHT BALLAST WAS NOW BAD; COST TO REPAIR APPROXIMATELY $1100. NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS WERE INSTRUCTED (ACCORDING TO CA) BY A HIGHER ECHELON OF NISSAN NOT TO REPAIR. CA DID AGREE TO REFUND MY DEALER COST OF $125.88. CONCLUSION: IN 2004 THIS WAS NISSAN/INFINITI'S PREMIUM PRODUCT. THIS CAR WAS EARLIER REPORTED TO NHTSA BECAUSE THE FORE-AFT POWER FUNCTION OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT FAILED AT 42,170 MILES AND NISSAN WOULD ACCEPT NO RESPONSIBILITY. SURELY THE NHTSA MUST REASONABLY THINK THAT FAILURE OF A DRIVER'S SEAT IN ITS REARMOST POSITION AND TWO FAILURES OF THE LOW-BEAM HEADLAMP SYSTEM COULD EASILY PLACE ANY DRIVER AND HIS/HER PASSENGERS IN A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT:THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE HAS A CRUISE CONTROL THAT HAS A CHIP THAT IF A CAR GETS TOO CLOSE TO IT SLOWS DOWN. WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND SOMEBODY CUTS THE CONSUMER OFF IT FEELS LIKE SOMEONE STEPPED ON THE BRAKE DUE TO AN ABRUPT DROP IN SPEED. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER, THEY SAID CAN'T SEPARATE THEM BECAUSE IT ONLY SHUTS DOWN CRUISE CONTROL OR IT GOES INTO THE ICC. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY HAD MANY COMPLAINTS, BUT MANUFACTURER SAYS IT IS NOT A PROBLEM. *AK *JB
THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE LASER CONTROLLED CRUISE CONTROL COULD BE A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE TO AN UNWARY DRIVER. *NM THE SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK IN THE RAIN OR WHEN DRIVING INTO THE SUN AT SUNSET. THE SYSTEM ACTIVATES THE BRAKES WHILE PASSING OTHER VEHICLE AND THERE IS NO AUDIBLE ACKNOWLEDGEMET WHEN THE SYSTEM SLOW DOWN FOR A SLOWER VEHICLE. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 INFINITI Q45. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V244000 (STEERING, SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT KEPT THE VEHICLE PARKED AND HAD NOT DRIVEN IT IN OVER TWO YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
I WAS DRIVING AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON, THEN VEHICLE CUT OFF ON THE HIGHWAY. I ASSUMED IT WAS A BAD ALTERNATOR, BUT IT WAS A DEFECTIVE CRANK SENSOR. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 INFINITI Q45. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WHILE THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON WARNING LIGHT AND ANOTHER UNKNOWN LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAM POSITION SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 111,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
I WAS DRIVING AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON, THEN VEHICLE CUT OFF ON THE HIGHWAY. I ASSUMED IT WAS A BAD ALTERNATOR, BUT IT WAS A DEFECTIVE CRANK SENSOR. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY LOW BEAM HEADLAMP SYSTEM HAS NOW FAILED AT TWO SEPARATE TIMES, BOTH DURING NIGHTTIME DRIVING. THE FIRST WAS ON NOVEMBER 2, 2009, AT 37,600 MILES, THE LEFT HID BALLAST FAILED; NISSAN REPAIRED THE FAILURE UNDER WARRANTY ALTHOUGH ITS TIME-PORTION HAD EXPIRED. THE SECOND FAILURE WAS AT 47,600 MILES ON DECEMBER 1, 2011. NISSAN/INFINITI CONSUMER AFFAIRS WERE TOLD AND ACKNOWLEDGED THAT MILEAGE WARRANTY WAS NO-WHERE-NEAR EXPIRED - BUT TIME HAD - YET, TALKED AS THOUGH THEY WOULD HELP WITH THE REPAIR. THE QUID-PRO-QUO WAS THAT I GET AN INFINITI DEALER TO VERIFY PROBLEM AND COST TO REPAIR. AT MY COST OF $125.88 THE INFINITI DEALER AGREED THE RIGHT BALLAST WAS NOW BAD; COST TO REPAIR APPROXIMATELY $1100. NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS WERE INSTRUCTED (ACCORDING TO CA) BY A HIGHER ECHELON OF NISSAN NOT TO REPAIR. CA DID AGREE TO REFUND MY DEALER COST OF $125.88. CONCLUSION: IN 2004 THIS WAS NISSAN/INFINITI'S PREMIUM PRODUCT. THIS CAR WAS EARLIER REPORTED TO NHTSA BECAUSE THE FORE-AFT POWER FUNCTION OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT FAILED AT 42,170 MILES AND NISSAN WOULD ACCEPT NO RESPONSIBILITY. SURELY THE NHTSA MUST REASONABLY THINK THAT FAILURE OF A DRIVER'S SEAT IN ITS REARMOST POSITION AND TWO FAILURES OF THE LOW-BEAM HEADLAMP SYSTEM COULD EASILY PLACE ANY DRIVER AND HIS/HER PASSENGERS IN A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. *TR
2004 INFINITI Q45 LEMON THIS AUTOMOBILE HAS AN IN-SERVICE DATE OF 12-17-04, PURCHASED BY ME ON 02-08-08 AT 26,670 MILES WITH 10 MONTHS REMAINING ON THE TIME WARRANTY THAT'S EXPIRED. IT WAS RETURNED TO MAJOR INFINITI ON 09-29-10 WITH 42,171 MILES ^0,000 WARRANTY) AND AN INOPERATIVE DRIVER'S SEAT (NO REAR/FORWARD FUNCTION) FIXED IN AN UNSAFE POSITION FOR ME AND IMPOSSIBLE FOR MY WIFE - (7) INCHES SHORTER. AFTER DIAGNOSIS, MAJOR INFORMED ME THE REPAIR COST WOULD BE $1300 AND THAT INFINITI REFUSED ANY WARRANTY RESPONSIBILITY. I CALLED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND SPOKE TO EMILY WHO GAVE ME A FILE # [XXX] AND TOLD ME A REGIONAL SPECIALIST WOULD CALL WITHIN TWO DAYS, NEXT DAY, SEPTEMBER 30, I CALLED NCA AGAIN AND TALKED TO [XXX], REGIONAL SPECIALIST. SHE TOLD ME I COULDN'T HAVE AN ANSWER ON NCA COVERING THE SEAT PROBLEM UNTIL MONDAY 10-4-10. OCTOBER 1, I AUTHORIZED ORDERING OF THE SEAT ADJUSTER ASSEMBLY AS I HAD NO OPTION SINCE OUR OTHER CAR WOULD BE UNAVAILABLE AFTER MONDAY. [XXX] CALLED OCTOBER 4 AND SAID NISSAN WOULD DO NOTHING TOWARD A WARRANTY REPAIR. MY COMPLAINT: FIRST, AN INOPERATIVE DRIVER'S SEAT SHOULD QUALIFY AS A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT. MY WIFE AND I DRIVE WITH A 9 INCH HEIGHT DIFFERENTIAL AND WITH AN INOPERATIVE SEAT - AS IT WAS - SHE COULDN'T DRIVE WITHOUT PERCHING ON THE VERY FRONT EDGE. WITHOUT A SEAT BELT. I HAD NO OPTION BUT TO REPAIR THIS SEAT OR ABANDON ANY NOTION OF DRIVING OUT OF TOWN. IF WE DROVE OUT OF CELL PHONE COVERAGE AND I BECAME UNABLE TO DRIVE, AS IN AN EMERGENCY, MY WIFE WOULD BE COMPELLED TO DRIVE US WITHOUT THE SECURITY OF ADEQUATE SEATING AND SEAT RESTRAINTS. SECOND, AND ANOTHER REASON MY COMPLAINT, THIS CAR HAS A HISTORY OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS: CD @ 28395; CRUISE CONTROL @ 32442; BATTERY@35193; HEADLIGHT BALLAST AND LAMP @ 37694. UNRELATED BRAKE REPLACEMENT @ 36396. A DRIVER'S SEAT SHOULD QUALIFY AS SAFETY-RELATED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
2004 INFINITI Q45 LEMON THIS AUTOMOBILE HAS AN IN-SERVICE DATE OF 12-17-04, PURCHASED BY ME ON 02-08-08 AT 26,670 MILES WITH 10 MONTHS REMAINING ON THE TIME WARRANTY THAT'S EXPIRED. IT WAS RETURNED TO MAJOR INFINITI ON 09-29-10 WITH 42,171 MILES ^0,000 WARRANTY) AND AN INOPERATIVE DRIVER'S SEAT (NO REAR/FORWARD FUNCTION) FIXED IN AN UNSAFE POSITION FOR ME AND IMPOSSIBLE FOR MY WIFE - (7) INCHES SHORTER. AFTER DIAGNOSIS, MAJOR INFORMED ME THE REPAIR COST WOULD BE $1300 AND THAT INFINITI REFUSED ANY WARRANTY RESPONSIBILITY. I CALLED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND SPOKE TO EMILY WHO GAVE ME A FILE # [XXX] AND TOLD ME A REGIONAL SPECIALIST WOULD CALL WITHIN TWO DAYS, NEXT DAY, SEPTEMBER 30, I CALLED NCA AGAIN AND TALKED TO [XXX], REGIONAL SPECIALIST. SHE TOLD ME I COULDN'T HAVE AN ANSWER ON NCA COVERING THE SEAT PROBLEM UNTIL MONDAY 10-4-10. OCTOBER 1, I AUTHORIZED ORDERING OF THE SEAT ADJUSTER ASSEMBLY AS I HAD NO OPTION SINCE OUR OTHER CAR WOULD BE UNAVAILABLE AFTER MONDAY. [XXX] CALLED OCTOBER 4 AND SAID NISSAN WOULD DO NOTHING TOWARD A WARRANTY REPAIR. MY COMPLAINT: FIRST, AN INOPERATIVE DRIVER'S SEAT SHOULD QUALIFY AS A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT. MY WIFE AND I DRIVE WITH A 9 INCH HEIGHT DIFFERENTIAL AND WITH AN INOPERATIVE SEAT - AS IT WAS - SHE COULDN'T DRIVE WITHOUT PERCHING ON THE VERY FRONT EDGE. WITHOUT A SEAT BELT. I HAD NO OPTION BUT TO REPAIR THIS SEAT OR ABANDON ANY NOTION OF DRIVING OUT OF TOWN. IF WE DROVE OUT OF CELL PHONE COVERAGE AND I BECAME UNABLE TO DRIVE, AS IN AN EMERGENCY, MY WIFE WOULD BE COMPELLED TO DRIVE US WITHOUT THE SECURITY OF ADEQUATE SEATING AND SEAT RESTRAINTS. SECOND, AND ANOTHER REASON MY COMPLAINT, THIS CAR HAS A HISTORY OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS: CD @ 28395; CRUISE CONTROL @ 32442; BATTERY@35193; HEADLIGHT BALLAST AND LAMP @ 37694. UNRELATED BRAKE REPLACEMENT @ 36396. A DRIVER'S SEAT SHOULD QUALIFY AS SAFETY-RELATED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
2004 INFINITI Q45 LEMON THIS AUTOMOBILE HAS AN IN-SERVICE DATE OF 12-17-04, PURCHASED BY ME ON 02-08-08 AT 26,670 MILES WITH 10 MONTHS REMAINING ON THE TIME WARRANTY THAT'S EXPIRED. IT WAS RETURNED TO MAJOR INFINITI ON 09-29-10 WITH 42,171 MILES ^0,000 WARRANTY) AND AN INOPERATIVE DRIVER'S SEAT (NO REAR/FORWARD FUNCTION) FIXED IN AN UNSAFE POSITION FOR ME AND IMPOSSIBLE FOR MY WIFE - (7) INCHES SHORTER. AFTER DIAGNOSIS, MAJOR INFORMED ME THE REPAIR COST WOULD BE $1300 AND THAT INFINITI REFUSED ANY WARRANTY RESPONSIBILITY. I CALLED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND SPOKE TO EMILY WHO GAVE ME A FILE # [XXX] AND TOLD ME A REGIONAL SPECIALIST WOULD CALL WITHIN TWO DAYS, NEXT DAY, SEPTEMBER 30, I CALLED NCA AGAIN AND TALKED TO [XXX], REGIONAL SPECIALIST. SHE TOLD ME I COULDN'T HAVE AN ANSWER ON NCA COVERING THE SEAT PROBLEM UNTIL MONDAY 10-4-10. OCTOBER 1, I AUTHORIZED ORDERING OF THE SEAT ADJUSTER ASSEMBLY AS I HAD NO OPTION SINCE OUR OTHER CAR WOULD BE UNAVAILABLE AFTER MONDAY. [XXX] CALLED OCTOBER 4 AND SAID NISSAN WOULD DO NOTHING TOWARD A WARRANTY REPAIR. MY COMPLAINT: FIRST, AN INOPERATIVE DRIVER'S SEAT SHOULD QUALIFY AS A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT. MY WIFE AND I DRIVE WITH A 9 INCH HEIGHT DIFFERENTIAL AND WITH AN INOPERATIVE SEAT - AS IT WAS - SHE COULDN'T DRIVE WITHOUT PERCHING ON THE VERY FRONT EDGE. WITHOUT A SEAT BELT. I HAD NO OPTION BUT TO REPAIR THIS SEAT OR ABANDON ANY NOTION OF DRIVING OUT OF TOWN. IF WE DROVE OUT OF CELL PHONE COVERAGE AND I BECAME UNABLE TO DRIVE, AS IN AN EMERGENCY, MY WIFE WOULD BE COMPELLED TO DRIVE US WITHOUT THE SECURITY OF ADEQUATE SEATING AND SEAT RESTRAINTS. SECOND, AND ANOTHER REASON MY COMPLAINT, THIS CAR HAS A HISTORY OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS: CD @ 28395; CRUISE CONTROL @ 32442; BATTERY@35193; HEADLIGHT BALLAST AND LAMP @ 37694. UNRELATED BRAKE REPLACEMENT @ 36396. A DRIVER'S SEAT SHOULD QUALIFY AS SAFETY-RELATED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 INFINITI Q45. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V244000 (STEERING, SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT KEPT THE VEHICLE PARKED AND HAD NOT DRIVEN IT IN OVER TWO YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .