The most-reported Q45 run is JNKNG01C4LM (1990 builds) with 4 complaints, 2.4× the typical run. Power train problems make up 18% of reports; 1990 is the worst model year at 2.3 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for Q45 model years 1990–2006.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Infiniti Q45 has 96 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 12% of every Q45 complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JNKNG01C4LM•••••• | 1990 | 1 | — | |
| JNKBF01A62M•••••• | 2002 | 1 | — | |
| JNKNG01C8LM•••••• | 1990 | — | — | |
| JNKBY31A8YM•••••• | 2000 | — | — | |
| JNKNG01D9RM•••••• | 1994 | — | 2 | |
| JNKNG01C4NM•••••• | 1992 | — | — | |
| JNKNG01CXNM•••••• | 1992 | 1 | — | |
| JNKNG01D5RM•••••• | 1994 | — | — | |
| JNKNG01C5LM•••••• | 1990 | — | — | |
| JNKNG01C9MM•••••• | 1991 | — | 2 | |
| JNKNG01C3MM•••••• | 1991 | — | — | |
| JNKBY31A7WM•••••• | 1998 | 2 | — |
Each of the other 84 Q45 runs has 3 complaints or fewer.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Infiniti Q45 the gap between build years is 2.3×: a 1990 car draws 2.3 complaints per run, a 1995 one 1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 4 | 3 | 1 | |
| 2004 | 5 | 3 | — | |
| 2003 | 10 | 6 | 1 | |
| 2002 | 18 | 9 | 1 | |
| 2001 | 3 | 3 | 1 | |
| 2000 | 9 | 5 | — | |
| 1999 | 6 | 5 | 1 | |
| 1998 | 12 | 7 | 3 | |
| 1997 | 8 | 8 | — | |
| 1995 | 4 | 4 | 2 | |
| 1994 | 19 | 10 | 1 | |
| 1992 | 20 | 10 | 3 | |
| 1991 | 22 | 13 | 3 | |
| 1990 | 18 | 8 | 1 |
Heaviest year here is 1990 at 2.3 complaints per run; lightest is 1995 at 1.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 18% of everything Infiniti Q45 owners report: Power Train, 24 of 162 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 1 | — | |
| Electrical System | 1 | 4 | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 | — | |
| Air Bags | 8 | — | |
| Fuel System | — | — | |
| Gasoline | — | — | |
| Suspension | 2 | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 11 recall campaigns on the Infiniti Q45; the 6 below cover build years 1997 to 2006. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 12V079000 | Air Bags:side/window | 2003–2005 |
| 06V395000 | Exterior Lighting:brake Lights | 2005–2006 |
| 03V098000 | Wheels | 2000–2001 |
| 02V171000 | Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator | 1997–1998 |
| 99V129000 | Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator | 1997–1998 |
| 98V325000 | Power Train:automatic Transmission | 1997–1998 |
12V079000 was opened in 2012 on cars built from 2003: 9 years on the road before the recall.
The Q45 against its rivals
The Q45 draws 1.7 complaints per production run; the Chevrolet Monte Carlo 3.7, the Buick Century 2.7 and the Cadillac Seville 1.9. That is the lowest rate of the 4.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infiniti Q45 | 162 | 96 | 11.1% | |
| Chevrolet Monte Carlo | 1,689 | 454 | 6.5% | |
| Buick Century | 1,348 | 494 | 7.9% | |
| Cadillac Seville | 649 | 347 | 6.8% |
How serious were they
Of the 162 reports on the Infiniti Q45, 11.1% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Infiniti Q45 | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 162 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 18 (11.1%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 12 (7.4%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 19 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 91% above the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Infiniti Q45 share of that is 162 complaints over 96 runs, 0.01% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Infiniti Q45 VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 162 NHTSA complaints from 96 Q45 runs and 11 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Q45 production run has the most complaints?
JNKNG01C4LM, a 1990 build, with 4 complaints, 1 of them after a crash. The typical Q45 run has 1.7.
Which Q45 years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 1990 is heaviest at 2.3 complaints per run and 1995 lightest at 1.
Does the Q45 get more complaints than the Chevrolet Monte Carlo?
No: 1.7 complaints per production run for the Q45 against 3.7 for the Chevrolet Monte Carlo.
How many Q45 complaints involve a crash?
11.1% of 162 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 12 involved a fire.
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