Infiniti

Q45 (F50)

2002-2006 · Luxury Sedan · 2 engines
Best Engine Recommended (4.5)
49 NHTSA Complaints
5 Recalls
0 Fire Reports
3 Crash Reports

Engine Reliability Comparison

VQ35DE

3.5L 6-cyl
Recommended (4.5)
2 complaints 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

fuel system
1
steering
1
body
1

Known Issues

Fuel System Issues (1 complaints)
Steering Issues (1 complaints)
Body/Trim Issues (1 complaints)

Also found in

INFINITI Q45 (2002-2006)GMC Yukon (2007-2014)NISSAN 350Z (2003-2008)NISSAN Quest (2011-2017)INFINITI Q60 (2006-2006)INFINITI Q50 (2007-2013)INFINITI Q70 (2011-2019)FORD Fusion (2006-2012) +39 more

VK45DE

4.5L 8-cyl
⚠️ Caution (3.3)
37 complaints 9.2 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
12
electrical
10
cooling
6
wheels tires
5
exterior
5

Known Issues

Engine Issues (12 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (10 complaints)
Cooling System Issues (6 complaints)

Also found in

INFINITI Q45 (2002-2006)CHEVROLET Silverado 1500 (2007-2013)INFINITI Q70 (2002-2002)INFINITI Q70 (2006-2010)INFINITI QX4 (2000-2003)INFINITI Q50 (2002-2002)HONDA Odyssey (2005-2010)

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Infiniti Q45 regardless of engine variant.

Engine Issues (12 complaints)
engine critical
Electrical System Issues (10 complaints)
electrical critical
Cooling System Issues (6 complaints)
cooling cosmetic

Recalls (5)

12V079000Feb 27, 2012serious
Air Bags

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003-2005 INFINITI Q45 VEHICLES. A WIRING CONNECTOR FOR THE SEAT MOUNTED AIRBAG MAY EXPERIENCE INCREASED ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE, RESULTING IN THE NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE SIDE AIR BAGS.

06V395000Oct 12, 2006critical
Exterior Lighting

CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE STOP LAMP AND REFLEX REFLECTOR REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, 'LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

05V374000Aug 28, 2005serious
Child Seat

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER REAR SEATS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE LOWER ANCHORAGE BRACKETS IN THE REAR SEATS DO NOT MEET THE LOCATION REQUIREMENT IN THIS STANDARD. THIS MAY CAUSE DIFFICULTY IN ATTACHING SOME CHILD SEATS TO THESE BRACKETS.

04V497000Oct 12, 2004serious
Exterior Lighting

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION.

03V455000Nov 16, 2003serious
Engine & Cooling

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR OR CAM POSITION SENSOR MAY HAVE AN IMPROPER SOLDER JOINT DUE TO SOLDER DEFORMATION CAUSED BY HEAT STRESS ACCELERATED BY THE EXISTENCE OF FLUX RESIDUE DURING THE SOLDERING PROCESS.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2002-2006 Infiniti Q45 problems?

The 2002-2006 Infiniti Q45 has accumulated 49 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Engine, Electrical System, Cooling System. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Infiniti Q45 engine is most reliable?

The 2002-2006 Infiniti Q45 was offered with 2 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 4.5L 8-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2002-2006 Infiniti Q45 a good used car?

The 2002-2006 Infiniti Q45 can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 49 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002-2006 Infiniti Q45 have?

The 2002-2006 Infiniti Q45 has 49 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2002-2006 Infiniti Q45?

There are 5 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2002-2006 Infiniti Q45 vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Infiniti Q45?

Before buying a used Infiniti Q45, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Engine, Electrical System, Cooling System, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 49 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: moderate. Last updated: 2026-04-06.

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