AI Damage1992 Infiniti Q45: common problems
Owners of the 1992 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
- 3
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 29% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 21% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 14% of all complaints
- 4 Equipment 14% of all complaints
- 5 Air bags 7% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel system 7% of all complaints
- 7 Steering 7% of all complaints
- 8 Vehicle speed control 7% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 8 complaints (29% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine and cooling: 6 complaints (21% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 4 complaints (14% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Equipment: 4 complaints (14% of all).
- Air bags: 2 complaints (7% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
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 | 8 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Equipment | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 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.
Tl* - the contact stated that she had purchased 1992 infinity q45 on 02/2006 ,and on 12/21/06 the contact's vehicle was involved in a crash. The contact stated that the vehicle steering was difficult to handle. The contact stated that she has had problems with the transmission leaking.
Consumer was driving when she hit a water oil spot in the road, vehicle began to spin, front of vehicle hit a wall and continued to spin, the shifting was off line. As consumer tried to turn wheel she could not, vehicle still continued to spin.
During frontal impact, the driver's side air bag did not deploy.
Factory installed bose radio sound system, right rear speaker amplifier started to smoke & burn. The incident started by a static sound,black smoke,fire,within 3 minutes. Radio static for 3 minutes as if an electrical storm was approching. Incident progressed to fire. F.d.of ny called. Driver escaped.
On june 5, 2005, consumer's rear speakers caught on fire. The consumer is concerned because the speakers are above the fuel tank.
The car while driving just started leaking gas, with family in the car. The steering column is defective.
Consumer replaced rear speakers of sound system with after market products in june of 1998 due to a fire. Received notification that vehicle was affected by recall 98v284000 concerning rear speaker fire.
He was backing up from the driveway and engine started to rise up, and cruise control wasn't on. Vehicle suddently accelerated. Driver had his foot on brake to stop vehicle from going any further. Consumer stated that he has appointment to take it to dealership.
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.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- 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 1992 Infiniti Q45?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, engine and cooling, electrical system. Total complaints: 28. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: smoke, burning smell, fire (25%), airbags did not deploy (7%), A/C or heater (4%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1992 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 1992 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 1992 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.