AI Damage1998 Infiniti Q45: common problems
Owners of the 1998 Infiniti Q45 filed 14 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 14
- involving a crash
- 4
What fails most often
- 1 Air bags 43% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 14% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 7% of all complaints
- 4 Seat belts 7% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 7% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 7% of all complaints
- 7 Suspension 7% of all complaints
- 8 Vehicle speed control 7% of all complaints
- Air bags: 6 complaints (43% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (14% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 1 complaints (7% of all).
- Seat belts: 1 complaints (7% of all).
- Service brakes: 1 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.
- 4.1 L · petrol · 8 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 14 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 | 6 | 4 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 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.
Upon impact, the air bags failed to deploy. The driver and passenger sustained injuries, but did not seek immediate medical attention. The impact was so great that it pushed back the frame rail one inch. The consumer is questioning whether or not the vehicle even has air bags and wants nissan to inspect the vehicle.
The dual airbags did not deploy. The driver sustained spinal injuries and the passenger sustained chest and back injuries. The vehicle was considered total loss. Please provide additional information.
Front seat passenger - 5'9" sitting all the way back with seat belt on. Lifted left arm up just before front end crash impact and suffered a bad fracture requiring surgery and pin placement to left distal radius (forearm bone near wrist on thumb side). 1998 infinity q45.
The contact indicated that the service engine sensor illuminated and there was a loss of power. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled on several occasions. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after several attempts.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 infiniti q45. The contact stated that the steering column was fractured. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic shop who advised that the steering column was fractured and the repairs would cost $2400. The vehicle was not repaired.
Seat belt retracter on driver seat is very week and must be assited to retact
While driving on highway vehicle shutoff without any warning. As a result, to alternator malfunctioned. Dealer contacted.
And informed that there is smoke coming out of the car. 911 was called for fire dept help. Fire fighters extinquished the fire.
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 9,552 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 26% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Q45 has 14 complaints (16 years in the data). This year has 14, about average.
What to check before buying
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Infiniti Q45?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: air bags, electrical system, engine and cooling. Total complaints: 14. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: airbag warning light (21%), airbags did not deploy (14%), seat belts (14%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1998 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 1998 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 1998 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 2026-11-06.