2002-2006 Infiniti Q45 Reliability Score: 7.2 out of 10

45 NHTSA Complaints

5 Recalls

0 Fire Reports

3 Crash Reports

Data covers 2 NHTSA model names

J30Q45

Reliability Score

7.2 / 10

Reliability score

About as many owner complaints as similar full-size sedans

The class average is 7.0. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Owners filed 15 powertrain complaints. A typical full-size sedan fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 14.

Scores this low have often eased: the three years after looked about 0.8 points better in the typical case.

Covers the 2002 to 2005 model years only (the generation ran 2002 to 2006).

Breakdown

Complaints overall15 complaints against about 14 for similar vehicles

7.2

Last three years

n/aNot enough data

Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced

n/aNot enough data

Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating

n/aNot enough data

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is the class average. A line needs 20 expected complaints to show a number.

By model year

20027.7
2003n/a
2004n/a
2005n/a

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

On the record

No serious powertrain recall covering 5% or more of this generation and no escalated investigation in NHTSA's files. Warranty extensions and settlements have not been researched.

Complaints by Engine Code

VK45DE

4.5L 8-cyl

36 complaints 9.0 per year Gasoline

View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine

electrical

wheels tires

exterior

cooling

Same engine used in

INFINITI Q70 (2006-2010)

Show 2 additional engine variants with limited data

These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints. A low count can mean a clean record, and it can also be a VIN-decode anomaly in NHTSA's data.

Infiniti Q45 Unidentified Engine

8 complaints 2.0 per year

View details

Complaint Breakdown

safety systems

engine

wheels tires

steering

electrical

VQ35DE

3.5L 6-cyl

1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline

View details

Complaint Breakdown

steering

body

Same engine used in

NISSAN 350Z (2003-2008)NISSAN Quest (2011-2017)INFINITI Q70 (2011-2019)INFINITI QX70 (2003-2008)NISSAN Sentra (2007-2012)NISSAN Maxima (2000-2003)

+13 more

NISSAN Pathfinder (2000-2004)INFINITI G Series (2007-2015)INFINITI G Series (2003-2006)INFINITI Q70 (2006-2010)NISSAN Altima (2013-2018)INFINITI QX4 (2000-2003)NISSAN Maxima (2004-2008)NISSAN Pathfinder (2013-2020)NISSAN Quest (2004-2009)NISSAN Maxima (2009-2014)NISSAN Altima (2007-2012)NISSAN Murano (2003-2007)NISSAN Altima (2002-2006)

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Infiniti Q45, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Engine: 13 owner complaints

Electrical System: 11 owner complaints

Wheels & Tires: 6 owner complaints

Safety Systems: 5 owner complaints

Steering: 5 owner complaints

Recalls (5)

12V079000Feb 28, 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 13, 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 29, 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 13, 2004serious

Exterior Lighting

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

03V455000Nov 17, 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.

Alternatives in Full-Size Sedan

Lexus

2001-2006

9.7/10

5 engines / 194 complaints

3 engines / 215 complaints

4 engines / 388 complaints

3 engines / 28 complaints

4 engines / 134 complaints

6 engines / 1,015 complaints

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Owners have filed 45 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002-2006 Infiniti Q45. The systems they name most often are the engine, the electrical system and the wheels and tires.

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

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 45 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002-2006 Infiniti Q45. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

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

NHTSA has 45 owner complaints on file for the 2002-2006 Infiniti Q45 as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2002-2006 Infiniti Q45?

NHTSA lists 5 recalls covering some 2002-2006 Infiniti Q45 vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used Infiniti Q45?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the engine, the electrical system and the wheels and tires, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

Does the Q45 have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2002-2006 Infiniti Q45. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 45 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: moderate. Last updated: 2026-10-12.