Total Complaints
34 filings
INFINITI Q45 · model year
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.
Total Complaints
34 filings
Crashes Reported
6 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 6 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 5 |
| EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC. | 3 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 2 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL | 1 |
| TIRES | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING | 1 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE | 1 |
| STEERING | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 |
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
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
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
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
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
THE CAR WHILE DRIVING JUST STARTED LEAKING GAS, WITH FAMILY IN THE CAR. THE STEERING COLUMN IS DEFECTIVE. *JB
THE CAR WHILE DRIVING JUST STARTED LEAKING GAS, WITH FAMILY IN THE CAR. THE STEERING COLUMN IS DEFECTIVE. *JB
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
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
THE KEY CAME OUT OF THE IGNITION WITHOUT THE CAR BEING IN PARK. *ET
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
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
WE WERE ON EAST-BAY FREEWAY, CENTER LANE, GOING 65 MPH, NO POWER...WE WERE FORTUNATE IT WAS CHRISTMAS MORNING AND NOT MUCH TRAFFIC...
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
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
TRANSMISSION FAILS AND MAKES GRINDING NOISE AND HEAVY VIBRATION WHEN BEING DRIVEN. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
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.
THE PLASTIC GUIDE ON THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED, TEHREFORE, TIMONG CHAIN DID NOT OPERATE PROPERLY, WHICH CAUSED ENGINE TO CRACK.REPLACED ENTIRE ENGINE. *AK
STRONG GAS SMELL FROM LEAKING FUEL LINES UNDER AIR PLENUM
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
Complete loss of motive power due to engine failure
Occupant Classification System Failure
Improper Frontal Air Bag Deployment
Steering column separation
Collision Mitigation System Malfunction
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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.