AI Damage2003 Infiniti Q45: common problems
Owners of the 2003 Infiniti Q45 filed 12 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 12
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 50% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 25% of all complaints
- 3 Steering 25% of all complaints
- 4 Electronic stability control 17% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 17% of all complaints
- 6 Engine and cooling 8% of all complaints
- 7 Powertrain 8% of all complaints
- 8 Seat belts 8% of all complaints
- Engine: 6 complaints (50% of all).
- Electrical system: 3 complaints (25% of all).
- Steering: 3 complaints (25% of all).
- Electronic stability control: 2 complaints (17% of all).
- Service brakes: 2 complaints (17% of all), 1 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, 5-speed
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 12 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 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 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.
A few days later the car is in an accident due to brake failure. Come to find out, both dealerships are owned by the same people thus making collusion to hide this safety issue a very easy road to travel.
This has caused the service engine light to come on, the engine may not start, power reduces, engine stalls at a traffic light or while in motion, on a city street or highway or while making a turn.
While driving 35 mph, the vehicle stalled and the service engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the camshaft position sensor failed and needed replacement.
Tamara recalled my seatbelt light has been on for the last year. I were told by the infinity dealer that my car was not recall for the seatbelt. The seatbelt warning light stays on constantly in the navigation system and a little blanking icon. I am told by the dealer that I am responsible for repairs
While driving various speeds, the engine stalled without warning and all power was lost. After several attempts, the vehicle was able to restart. The failure recurred randomly. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired.
Auto will not start. Finally starts after 5 or 6 tries. This problem has continued to occur every two or three days over the last six months. But auto starts immediately after. Auto and transmission are not performing properly. Now the engine stall while driving is happening on a daily basis.
I have a 2003 q45 and the car has shut off while driving several times. There is has in the car. I get it maintenance regularly. Its shut off while driving on the highway putting my family at risk. Its not safe to drive.
Continued like this until 6/29/12 when repaired, only it continued to stop and the cruise control/traction lights would come on and car would suddenly stop and then surge forward. 8/11/12 serviced for same problem. 8/14/12 same thing, car stopped then surged, then the engine cut off and lost steering/brakes.
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 10,160 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 28% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Q45 has 14 complaints (16 years in the data). This year has 12, below average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Electronic stability control. ABS/ESC sensors, steering angle, codes after suspension repair.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Infiniti Q45?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, electrical system, steering. Total complaints: 12. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: stalls while driving (67%), won't start (17%), steering or power steering problems (17%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2003 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 2003 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 2003 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.