AI Damage2006 Infiniti M45: common problems
Owners of the 2006 Infiniti M45 filed 72 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and steering. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 72
- involving a crash
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 24% of all complaints
- 2 Steering 24% of all complaints
- 3 Seats 19% of all complaints
- 4 Air bags 17% of all complaints
- 5 Electrical system 11% of all complaints
- 6 Vehicle speed control 8% of all complaints
- 7 Suspension 6% of all complaints
- 8 Electronic stability control 4% of all complaints
- Engine: 17 complaints (24% of all).
- Steering: 17 complaints (24% of all).
- Seats: 14 complaints (19% of all).
- Air bags: 12 complaints (17% of all).
- Electrical system: 8 complaints (11% 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 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- automatic, 5-speed
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 72 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 17 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 17 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 14 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 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.
Suddenly with my foot still on the brake the vehicle surged forward, jumped the concrete parking barracde and then proceeded over the curb, down a 3 foot drop crashing into the ground and then hitting the corner of a brick condominium. There was no injury. I was alone in the vehicle. No air bag deployed.
The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled while driving downhill. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering and braking functionality.
Over the last 6 to 8 months, the 2006 M45 stalls intermittently. Most of the time (7 out of 10) it would stall when I stopped at a light (or a stop sign). The engine would shut off, all the indicator lights would come on, and I would put it in park and re-start, and it would continue to operate fine.
The contact stated that the vehicle stalled intermittently without warning. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 13v430000 (vehicle speed control). The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.
My check engine light came on and vehicle shifted info one gear. It was slow to accelerate and change gears. I had the code pulled and it showed p1764 direct clutch solenoid.
Faulty fuel system component with prior dealer warranty, check engine light noted it is bad fuel evaporator. In motion indicator light went on. Driver seat loose, piece in slower structure needed to be welded because seat had play and went back and forth. In motion
When stationary at a parking spot, I got into my car, and the car seat made a cracking noise as it went straight to the ground. While driving I applied pressure to the breaks and my car seat came off the bracket causing me to be distracted about what happened.
Takata recall - the airbag recall for my 2006 m45 infiniti has been in effect since may 23,2016. Infiniti has not proved the required repairs at this time. The car is not safe.
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 4,366 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 12% most complained about).
On average one model year of the M45 has 40 complaints (7 years in the data). This year has 72, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Seats. Occupant sensor, power adjustment, seat mounts.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Infiniti M45?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, steering, seats. Total complaints: 72. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: stalls while driving (18%), warning lights, check engine (11%), knocking, grinding or other noise (6%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2006 Infiniti M45?
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 2006 Infiniti M45 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 2006 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.