2003 Infiniti Q45 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
12 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
100,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 12 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 7 | 58.3% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 25.0% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 16.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 8.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 6 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Steering | 3 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 1 |
| Service Brakes | 1 |
Engine: 6; Electrical System: 3; Steering: 3; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Power Train: 1; Seat Belts: 1; Service Brakes: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 2
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 1 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 2; 2015: 3; 2016: 1; 2017: 2; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 7 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10364192 · 2010-11-05 (November 5, 2010)
MY 2003 INFINITI Q45 REPEATEDLY STALLS [SO FAR, 15+ TIMES] AND OFTEN WILL NOT RESTART [10+ TIMES]. WITH MY FAMILY AND ME IN THE CAR, THE STALLING OF THE CAR PUTS US REPEATEDLY IN JEOPARDY OF A REAR-END COLLISION OR VANDALISM OR BODILY INJURY IN DANGEROUS AREAS. THE CAR IS PROPERLY MAINTAINED ON ITS SERVICE SCHEDULE. IT TOOK MY MECHANIC A WEEK AT A COST OF $90 TO CONFIRM THAT THE PROBLEM IS THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE [ECM], THE 'BRAIN' OF THE CAR WHICH CONTROLS OTHER VEHICLE SENSORS, AND THIS WAS CONFIRMED BY THE INFINITI DEALER AT A COST OF $150…
Owner-reported narrative. 111,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10364192 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10610755 · 2014-07-15 (July 15, 2014)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10610755 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10519942 · 2013-06-15 (June 15, 2013)
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 WH…
Owner-reported narrative. 110,202 miles reported. Look up ODI 10519942 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10255514 · 2009-01-18 (January 18, 2009)
THE BRAKES IN THIS VEHICLE MALFUNCTIONED AND BY SUCH CAUSED A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THE DEALER, NISSAN OF THE EASTSIDE IN BELLEVUE WA WAS SUPPOSED TO FIX SAID BRAKES AS I NOTED THAT THEY WERE NOT OPERATING CORRECTLY IN MY TEST DRIVE OF THE VEHICLE AND I WROTE THE CONTRACT SUBJECT TO THE BRAKES BEING FIXED. WHEN THEY DIDN'T FIX THE BRAKES THEY WERE COMMITTING FRAUD AND ALSO IN BREECH OF CONTRACT.. THEY DID NOT FIX THE BRAKES AS AGREED. INFINITI OF FIFE THEN SUPPOSEDLY DID SAID BRAKE WORK. A FEW DAYS LATER THE CAR IS IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO BRAKE …
Owner-reported narrative. 40,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10255514 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10777700 · 2015-09-25 (September 25, 2015)
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 ADDRES…
Owner-reported narrative. 112,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10777700 at NHTSA ↗