2004 Infiniti Q45: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
7 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
42,173 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 7 complaints (42.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 42.9% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 14.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 14.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 14.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control | 2 |
| Seats | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 |
| Structure:Body | 1 |
Electrical System: 3; Engine: 2; Exterior Lighting: 2; Steering: 2; Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control: 2; Seats: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 1; Structure:Body: 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 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 2 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 |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
2004: 1; 2005: 1; 2010: 1; 2012: 1; 2014: 1; 2017: 1; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10110831 · 2004-12-21 (December 21, 2004)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10110831 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10127114 · 2005-08-12 (August 12, 2005)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10127114 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10359119 · 2010-10-04 (October 4, 2010)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. 42,173 miles reported. Look up ODI 10359119 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10443498 · 2012-01-11 (January 11, 2012)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. 37,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10443498 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10638308 · 2014-09-23 (September 23, 2014)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 95,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10638308 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10984183 · 2017-05-08 (May 8, 2017)
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 W…
Owner-reported narrative. 111,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10984183 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11173306 · 2019-01-31 (January 31, 2019)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11173306 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
04V497000 · Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch
Reported: 2004-10-13 (October 13, 2004)
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION.
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE IS APPLIED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 25, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
NHTSA campaign record ↗12V079000 · Air Bags:Side/Window
Reported: 2012-02-28 (February 28, 2012)
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003-2005 INFINITI Q45 VEHICLES. A WIRING CONNECTOR FOR THE SEAT MOUNTED AIRBAG MAY EXPERIENCE INCREASED ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE, RESULTING IN THE NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE SIDE AIR BAGS.
Consequence: NON-DEPLOYMENT OF SIDE AIR BAGS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE WIRING CONNECTOR, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 19, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-647-7261.
NHTSA campaign record ↗