AI Damage1990 Infiniti Q45: common problems
Owners of the 1990 Infiniti Q45 filed 28 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 28
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 50% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 11% of all complaints
- 3 Visibility 11% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 7% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 7% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 7% of all complaints
- 7 Equipment 4% of all complaints
- 8 Exterior lighting 4% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 14 complaints (50% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 3 complaints (11% of all).
- Visibility: 3 complaints (11% of all).
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (7% of all).
- Service brakes: 2 complaints (7% 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, 4-speed
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 28 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 14 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 1 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
When driving vehicle on uneven pavement vehicle will loose its stability, shoulder bump, vehicle loss vehicle stability impact 11:00 position speed 65 mph. Tt
The dealer stated the power steering system was leaking fluid and needed to be serviced. The problem re-occurred, and then the dealer stated the rack and pinion needed to be replaced.
Including this major fuel leak (which has not been established exactly where the leak is coming from) the transmission is gone. Even if the transmission is replaced the vehicle is still to hazardous to drive. I am at my wits end with this car because I still owe money on it.
Mine is a 1990 model, which has all of the warning signs of the fire danger involved in the stereo speaker recall that was instituted, however, infiniti refuses to include the 1990 models.
The abs light came on due to a defective abs brake line which leaked, causing the abs fluid to become inoperative. Please provide further information and vin#.
Rear brake lamp socket overheats causing short in system resulting in failure of all brake lamps.
Vehicle has defective abs brakes, leaks brake fluid and brake light comes on. The consumer has spoken to various dealers, it appears that the problem started in 1990-1992. In most of 1993 models the defects started with the vendors. Abs housing of metal castings are defective and started to break away internally. .
Transmission failure due to a design flaw. In addition, windshield wipers failed to work on several occasions.
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 7,081 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 19% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Q45 has 14 complaints (16 years in the data). This year has 28, above average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1990 Infiniti Q45?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, engine and cooling, visibility. Total complaints: 28. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: transmission slipping (25%), overheating, coolant loss (7%), steering or power steering problems (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1990 Infiniti Q45?
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 1990 Infiniti Q45 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 1990 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.