AI Damage1996 Infiniti Q45: common problems
Owners of the 1996 Infiniti Q45 filed 7 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags and suspension. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 7
What fails most often
- 1 Air bags 29% of all complaints
- 2 Suspension 29% of all complaints
- 3 Exterior lighting 14% of all complaints
- 4 Seats 14% of all complaints
- 5 Visibility 14% of all complaints
- Air bags: 2 complaints (29% of all).
- Suspension: 2 complaints (29% of all).
- Exterior lighting: 1 complaints (14% of all).
- Seats: 1 complaints (14% of all).
- Visibility: 1 complaints (14% 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 7 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 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 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.
While in motion, after constant freeway driving a harsh grinding noise appears in the front left suspension area. A rasping, grinding meal on metal noise happens in various degrees of loudness. The dealer has been unable to replicate the noise.
Consumer was inside of garage and vehicle was parked. He went to turn on vehicle, and driver's side seat flipped up, causing consumer to be trapped until his wife came out to release him. Consumer took vehicle to the dealership, mechanic told her that seat modular memory was erased from memory bank.
Due to medical reasons, consumer wants to disconnect the air bags in his vehicle. Has eye problems and is afraid that air bag deployment could lead to blindness.
Rear window tail lightcomes on as a high intensity light/ has no lens, bright light caused loss of partial visibility.
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 12,538 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 34% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Q45 has 14 complaints (16 years in the data). This year has 7, below average.
What to check before buying
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
- Seats. Occupant sensor, power adjustment, seat mounts.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Infiniti Q45?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: air bags, suspension, exterior lighting. Total complaints: 7. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: windows, sunroof (29%), headlights and tail lights (14%), knocking, grinding or other noise (14%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1996 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 1996 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 1996 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.