INFINITI Q45 · model year

1992 INFINITI Q45

34 NHTSA complaints, 6 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1992INFINITIQ45 carries 34 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 6 crashes, 6 fires, 6 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1992 Q45 is power train:automatic transmission with 6 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:engine (5) and equipment:electrical:radio/tape deck/cd etc. (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 7 investigation files overlapping the 1992 Q45. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

34
Complaints
6
Crashes
6
Fires
6
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

34 filings

Crashes Reported

6 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE5
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.3
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL1
TIRES1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS1
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE1
STEERING1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1

Recent Complaints

20070109CrashPOWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD PURCHASED 1992 INFINITY Q45 ON 02/2006 ,AND ON 12/21/06 THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STEERING WAS DIFFICULT TO HANDLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION LEAKING. THE DEALERSHIP THAT SOLD HER THE TRANSMISSION, AND ENGINE HAD TO REPLACE THEM, , AND T THE VEHICLE NEEDED SEVERAL OTHER REPAIRS AS WELL. THE DEALERSHIP SOLD HER THE VEHICLE THAT WAS NOT SAFE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS SHE WAS NOT ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. *AK

Mileage: 10,500

20070109CrashENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD PURCHASED 1992 INFINITY Q45 ON 02/2006 ,AND ON 12/21/06 THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STEERING WAS DIFFICULT TO HANDLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION LEAKING. THE DEALERSHIP THAT SOLD HER THE TRANSMISSION, AND ENGINE HAD TO REPLACE THEM, , AND T THE VEHICLE NEEDED SEVERAL OTHER REPAIRS AS WELL. THE DEALERSHIP SOLD HER THE VEHICLE THAT WAS NOT SAFE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS SHE WAS NOT ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. *AK

Mileage: 10,500

20070109CrashELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD PURCHASED 1992 INFINITY Q45 ON 02/2006 ,AND ON 12/21/06 THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STEERING WAS DIFFICULT TO HANDLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION LEAKING. THE DEALERSHIP THAT SOLD HER THE TRANSMISSION, AND ENGINE HAD TO REPLACE THEM, , AND T THE VEHICLE NEEDED SEVERAL OTHER REPAIRS AS WELL. THE DEALERSHIP SOLD HER THE VEHICLE THAT WAS NOT SAFE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS SHE WAS NOT ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. *AK

Mileage: 10,500

20050624FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING: REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNK

FACTORY INSTALLED BOSE RADIO SOUND SYSTEM, RIGHT REAR SPEAKER AMPLIFIER STARTED TO SMOKE & BURN. THE INCIDENT STARTED BY A STATIC SOUND,BLACK SMOKE,FIRE,WITHIN 3 MINUTES. RADIO STATIC FOR 3 MINUTES AS IF AN ELECTRICAL STORM WAS APPROCHING. INCIDENT PROGRESSED TO FIRE. F.D.OF NY CALLED. DRIVER ESCAPED. GAS TANK LOCATED BEHIND REAR SEAT, SIMILAR TO THE PINTO WHICH CAUSED MANY FIRES AND EXPLOSIONS IN THE PAST. COMPLAINT BY NHTSA LISTS " CONDITION COULD RESULT IN SMOKE OR FLAME AND POSSIBLY THE SPEAKER CATCHING FIRE" CAMPAIGN #98V284000 NISSAN OF NORTH AMERICA CALLED ME TO SAY THE ONUS OF RESPONSIBILITY WAS NOT THERES', BEFORE BOSE INVESTIGATION WAS CONCLUDED. BOSE IS STILL IN THE PROCESS OF INVESTIGATING THE PROBLEM. THE DETERMINATION OF WHAT CAUSE THE FAILURE IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION AS OF JUNE 24TH. A CHILDS SAFETY SEAT INSTALLED PROPERLY WOULD PLACE THE CHILD IN HARMS WAY OR WORSE, DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. IE.GAS TANK BEHIND REAR SEAT,WIRES RESTING ON TANK. NHTSA ID 98V28400 RECALL

20050606FireEQUIPMENT

DT: THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON HIS VEHICLE -- NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #98V284000. THE RECALL WAS SUPPOSE TO BEEN CORRECTED ON FEB. 17, 1999, ACCORDING TO THE SHOP FOREMAN. ON JUNE 5, 2005, CONSUMER'S REAR SPEAKERS CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED BECAUSE THE SPEAKERS ARE ABOVE THE FUEL TANK. *TT

20030607FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

THE CAR WHILE DRIVING JUST STARTED LEAKING GAS, WITH FAMILY IN THE CAR. THE STEERING COLUMN IS DEFECTIVE. *JB

20030607STEERING:COLUMN

THE CAR WHILE DRIVING JUST STARTED LEAKING GAS, WITH FAMILY IN THE CAR. THE STEERING COLUMN IS DEFECTIVE. *JB

20011203FireEQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

CONSUMER REPLACED REAR SPEAKERS OF SOUND SYSTEM WITH AFTER MARKET PRODUCTS IN JUNE OF 1998 DUE TO A FIRE. RECEIVED NOTIFICATION THAT VEHICLE WAS AFFECTED BY RECALL 98V284000 CONCERNING REAR SPEAKER FIRE. MANUFACTURER WAS REFUSING SERVICE OR COMPENSATION BECAUSE PRODUCT WAS REPLACED WITH AFTER MARKET PARTS EVEN THOUGH HE HAD THE ORIGINAL COMPONENTS. *AK *SLC

20001107POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES

MANUFACTURER ISSUED A RECALL REGARDING THE FILTRATION AND COOLING PERFORMANCE FOR THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, RECALL STATES THAT AN EXTERNAL FILTER AND COOLER WOULD BE INSTALLED AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD BE INSPECTED, VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS AND CONSUMER IS BEING REFUSED RECALL. *SLC

20000911POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH

THE KEY CAME OUT OF THE IGNITION WITHOUT THE CAR BEING IN PARK. *ET

20000818VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

HE WAS BACKING UP FROM THE DRIVEWAY AND ENGINE STARTED TO RISE UP, AND CRUISE CONTROL WASN'T ON. VEHICLE SUDDENTLY ACCELERATED. DRIVER HAD HIS FOOT ON BRAKE TO STOP VEHICLE FROM GOING ANY FURTHER. CONSUMER STATED THAT HE HAS APPOINTMENT TO TAKE IT TO DEALERSHIP.*AK

20000210ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

PLASTIC GUIDE BROKE, CAUSING TIMING CHAIN TO JUMP, CAUSING MANY VALVES TO BEND OR BREAK, AND CAUSING CRACK IN BLOCK. REQUIRED ENGINE REPLACMENT. NOW, 5 MONTHS LATER, THE SAME PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED AGAIN, REQUIRING ANOTHER NEW ENGINE. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS DOCUMENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED BY INFINITI DEALER. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT INITIAL OCCURRENCE, BUT DECLINED RESPONSIBILITY AND OFFERED ONLY TO GIVE A $1000.00 DISCOUNT ON PURCHASE OF NEW INFINITI.THERE APPEARS TO BE IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER OWNERS DOCUMENTED IN YOUR ARCHIVES (SEE ODI I.D. 702338 & 833873). THIS HAS BEEN AN EXPENSIVE PROCESS AND I BELIEVE THAT INFINITI SHOULD BE MORE RESPONSIVE IN RESOLVING THIS MATTER. *AK

20000119POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WE WERE ON EAST-BAY FREEWAY, CENTER LANE, GOING 65 MPH, NO POWER...WE WERE FORTUNATE IT WAS CHRISTMAS MORNING AND NOT MUCH TRAFFIC...

20000118POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TOOK VEHICLE TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP...FIRST REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION INSTALLED WAS FAULTY SO THEY THEN HAD TO RE-ORDER ANOTHER NEW TRANSMISSION TO INSTALL...OUR VEHICLE WAS NOT RETURNED UNTIL 1/12/00. *AK

19990902POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE AND THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. DELAER SAID THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. *YC CONSUMER STATES THERE WAS NO WARNING OR INDICATION VEHICLE WAS GOING TO CUT OFF. *SLC

19990407POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION FAILS AND MAKES GRINDING NOISE AND HEAVY VIBRATION WHEN BEING DRIVEN. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

19990325FireEQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

FACTORY BOSE AUDIO SYSTEM - SPEAKER IN THE TRUNK DIRECTLY ABOVE THE GAS TANK BURST INTO FLAMES. SPEAKER PARTS IN FLAMES FELL ON THE GAS TANK. CORRECTION TO REPORT ODI 700148 FOR MAKE AS INFINITI RATHER THAN INFINITY.

19990218ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE PLASTIC GUIDE ON THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED, TEHREFORE, TIMONG CHAIN DID NOT OPERATE PROPERLY, WHICH CAUSED ENGINE TO CRACK.REPLACED ENTIRE ENGINE. *AK

19990201FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY

STRONG GAS SMELL FROM LEAKING FUEL LINES UNDER AIR PLENUM

19990118ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

THE 1992 INFINITI HAS A TIMING CHAIN THAT IS KEEP IN PLACE WITH PLASTIC GUIDES. THE GUIDES ON MY CAR FAILED AND THE ENGINE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER SAYS THAT THE PLASTIC GUIDES ARE NOT A DEFECT. YET, THEY CHANGED TO METAL GUIDES STARTING IN 1993. ANOTHER INIFINTI DEALER (NOT MY DEALER) SAID THAT THEY ADVISE THEIR CUSTOMERS TO REPLACE THE PLASTIC GUIDES AS A PREVENTATIVE MEASURE. MY DEALER DID NOT RECOMMEND THAT TO ME, SINCE THERE WAS NO FORMAL INFINITI SERVICE ADVISORY OR RECALL. IN THE 3 AND A HALF YEARS SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE CAR, I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR ALL ITS MAINTENANCE, INCLUDING OIL CHANGES AND RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES. I FEEL THAT SUCH A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE ON SUCH AN EXPENSIVE CAR INDICATES THAT THE USAGE OF THE PLASTIC GUIDES ON THE TIMING CHAIN WAS A VERY BAD DESIGN. I WOULD LIKE THE GOVERNMENT TO INVESTIGATE HOW MANY INFINITI Q45S THAT HAVE THIS PLASTIC GUIDE HAVE FAILED. I BELIEVE THAT THE PERCENTAGE WILL BE HIGH, AND T

Compare 1992INFINITIQ45 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1992 INFINITI Q45 have?
The 1992 INFINITI Q45 has 34 NHTSA complaints, 6 crashes, 6 fires, 6 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1992 INFINITI Q45?
The most-complained component for the 1992 INFINITI Q45 is POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION with 6 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE and EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC..
Is the 1992 INFINITI Q45 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.