AI Damage2003 Infiniti FX45: common problems
Owners of the 2003 Infiniti FX45 filed 25 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags and exterior lighting. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 25
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Air bags 20% of all complaints
- 2 Exterior lighting 20% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 16% of all complaints
- 4 Structure 16% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel/propulsion system 8% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel system 8% of all complaints
- 7 Service brakes 8% of all complaints
- 8 Electrical system 4% of all complaints
- Air bags: 5 complaints (20% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Exterior lighting: 5 complaints (20% of all).
- Powertrain: 4 complaints (16% of all).
- Structure: 4 complaints (16% of all).
- Fuel/propulsion system: 2 complaints (8% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 4.5 L · petrol · 8 cyl
- automatic, 5-speed
Drive: AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 25 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 2 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
After the accident, the window glass didn't break, the doors opened and closed normally. The safety issue is that when the airbags deployed, the engine died immediately, as if from an electrical failure, and the steering wheel pulled to the right and the driver (me) had no braking.
Hello! My name is [xxx]. I owner of infiniti fx45 2003 [xxx] and according to vinrcl.safercar.gov/vin/ I have several incomplete defects in my car. Could you please check this and support me with parts replacement? Thank you in advance! I contacted a dealership in russia, no action on my appeal happened.
All the lights are sweating, poor visibility. According to: number of reviews on htsa: 06v-328 review date: abryct 3 2006 number revocation manufacturer: r0608 summary during canadian compliance testing some special vehicles sports not eligible for federal standard safety car.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 infiniti fx45. While driving 35 mph, a loud noise was heard when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact exited the vehicle and noticed the driveshaft on the ground. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home.
The contact stated that during inclement weather, the drivers side headlights would fail. In addition, the contact stated that there was a crack on the front passenger side dashboard near the air bag. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure.
The dashboard is severely cracking at all speakers. The vehicle has been garage parked since original purchase and we are the original owners. Poor quality materials or construction.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 infiniti fx45. The contact stated that there were cracks in the dashboard. The vehicle was taken to the dealer nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 113,000.
Tl contact owns a 2003 infiniti fx45. The contact stated the fuel tank sensor sending unit failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated they had to repair two sending units which was not under recall or warranty. The contact had to pay for labor and parts.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 7,448 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 20% most complained about).
On average one model year of the FX45 has 9 complaints (7 years in the data). This year has 25, above average.
What to check before buying
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Infiniti FX45?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: air bags, exterior lighting, powertrain. Total complaints: 25. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: headlights and tail lights (8%), windows, sunroof (8%), A/C or heater (4%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2003 Infiniti FX45?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2003 Infiniti FX45 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2003 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.