Total Complaints
47 filings
INFINITI Q45 · model year
1994 INFINITI Q45
47 NHTSA complaints, 11 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1994INFINITIQ45 carries 47 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 11 crashes, 4 fires, 7 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 1994 Q45 is air bags:frontal with 6 filings, followed by electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery (5) and power train:automatic transmission (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 1994 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.
47
Complaints
11
Crashes
4
Fires
7
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
11 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 6 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY | 5 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 3 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM | 3 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 3 |
| TIRES | 2 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL | 2 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 2 |
| AIR BAGS | 2 |
| WHEELS | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD | 1 |
| STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20030725AIR BAGS
THE CONSUMERS WIFE SUDDENLY SAW THE AIR BAG LIGHT BLINKING, FOLLOWED BY THE BLINKING OF THE SEAT BELT LIGHT, THEN NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOUSING OF THE SEAT BELT. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. *AK THE SEAT BELT TIGHTENED AFTER THE BLAST AND KNOCKED THE WIND OUT OF THE CONSUMERS DAUGHTER IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE DEALER REFUSED TO CORRECT THE SAFETY HAZARD. *SCC THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE VEHICLE NEEDED A BRAKE JOB. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HIS LOCAL MECHANIC, THE MECHANIC STATED IT WAS UNWARRANTED. *PH *JB
20030725SEAT BELTS
THE CONSUMERS WIFE SUDDENLY SAW THE AIR BAG LIGHT BLINKING, FOLLOWED BY THE BLINKING OF THE SEAT BELT LIGHT, THEN NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOUSING OF THE SEAT BELT. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. *AK THE SEAT BELT TIGHTENED AFTER THE BLAST AND KNOCKED THE WIND OUT OF THE CONSUMERS DAUGHTER IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE DEALER REFUSED TO CORRECT THE SAFETY HAZARD. *SCC THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE VEHICLE NEEDED A BRAKE JOB. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HIS LOCAL MECHANIC, THE MECHANIC STATED IT WAS UNWARRANTED. *PH *JB
20030722AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING IN REVERSE WHEN THE DRIVER'S "SIDE" AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT MOISTURE IN THE CONTROL MODULE CAUSED THE MODULE TO SHORT CIRCUIT RESULTING IN THE BAG DEPLOYING.
20020826ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
MY WIFE STARTED THE ENGINE IN A CHURCH PARKING LOT AND THE BATTERY LITERALLY EXPLODED, SPREADING BATTERY ACID UNDER THE HOOD. BESIDES THE BATTERY, THE ONLY VISIBLE DAMAGE WAS A BADLY PITTED FAN. THE BATTERY WAS A REPLACEMENT WHICH HAD BEEN INSTALLED BY COMPETITION INFINITI, SMITHTOWN, NY, 2 YEARS AND APPROXIMATELY 20,000 MILES EARLIER. AFTER SOME DISCUSSION, THE DEALERSHIP FINALLY AGREED TO PAY FOR A REPLACEMENT BATTERY AND FAN. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO FURTHER DAMAGE UNDER THE HOOD. AN EMPLOYEE VOLUNTEERED THAT THIS WAS THE SECOND EXPLODING BATTERY THEY HAD SEEN IN THE RECENT PAST. NO FURTHER INFORMATION WAS GIVEN TO ME ON THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION.*AK
20011113FireVISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
THERE WAS AN APPARENT ELECTRICAL SHORT WITHIN THE INTERIOR FRAME NEXT TO THE PASSENGER WINDOW. I'M NOT SURE EXACTLY WHEN THE SHORT OCCURRED BUT THE INTERIOR LINING ON THE PANEL HAS THREE BURN MARKS ABOUT TWO INCHES IN DIAMETER. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS HAVE NOT WORKED SINCE THIS INCIDENT. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER WHOM I PURCHASED THE CAR AND THEIR SERVICE ADVISOR, DALE GUNTER STATED THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE ELECTRICAL DEFECT OR BURNED PANEL UNDER WARRANTY. I FEEL THE FUSE CONTROLLING THE WIRE THAT SHORTED SHOULD HAVE BURNED OUT BEFORE THE ELECTRICAL FIRE COULD BURN THE INTERIOR PANEL. ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN PROVIDE ME WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP.
20011030AIR BAGS
AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON, CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK BATTERY EXPLODED AND VEHICLE HAD ELECTRICAL CONTROL PROBLEMS. *YH
20011030ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON, CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK BATTERY EXPLODED AND VEHICLE HAD ELECTRICAL CONTROL PROBLEMS. *YH
20011030ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON, CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK BATTERY EXPLODED AND VEHICLE HAD ELECTRICAL CONTROL PROBLEMS. *YH
20010102CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH VEHICLE WAS BROADSIDED, AND NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. *AK
20001218FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING: REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNK
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, HEARD POPPING SOUNDS FROM REAR, SMELLED SMOKE AND ENGINE SHUT DOWN. VEHICLE FILLED WITH SMOKE BY TIME STOPPED VEHICLE. ELECTRICAL FIRE BURNED AREA BETWEEN TRUNK AND BACK SEAT, AROUND GAS TANK ON PASSENGER SIDE.*AK
20001213FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS
THE FUEL INJECTORS JUST KEEP GOING BAD, EVEN DOING ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENCE WORK ON TIME AND USING ONLY THE INSTRUCTED PREMIUM FUEL FROM EITHER AMOCO OR MOBILE. I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND IT. *AK
20001024SUSPENSION:FRONT
BOTH TENSION ARMS ARE LEAKING THICK FLUID AT FRAME MOUNT LOCATION. APPEARS THAT LOSS OF FLUID COULD CAUSE LOSS OF STABILITY AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. UNIT IS NOT SERVICABLE.
20000918SUSPENSION:FRONT
THIS IS A LEMON WHICH NOW THREATENS PUBLIC SAFETY. INFINITI DOESN'T SEEM TO CARE
20000918ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
THIS IS A LEMON WHICH NOW THREATENS PUBLIC SAFETY. INFINITI DOESN'T SEEM TO CARE
20000918POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THIS IS A LEMON WHICH NOW THREATENS PUBLIC SAFETY. INFINITI DOESN'T SEEM TO CARE
20000918FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
THIS IS A LEMON WHICH NOW THREATENS PUBLIC SAFETY. INFINITI DOESN'T SEEM TO CARE
20000918ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THIS IS A LEMON WHICH NOW THREATENS PUBLIC SAFETY. INFINITI DOESN'T SEEM TO CARE
20000914SUSPENSION:FRONT
THIS IS A LEMON WHICH NOW THREATENS PUBLIC SAFETY. INFINITI DOESN'T SEEM TO CARE
20000914FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
THIS IS A LEMON WHICH NOW THREATENS PUBLIC SAFETY. INFINITI DOESN'T SEEM TO CARE
20000914ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
THIS IS A LEMON WHICH NOW THREATENS PUBLIC SAFETY. INFINITI DOESN'T SEEM TO CARE
Compare 1994INFINITIQ45 to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
PE23023Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Complete loss of motive power due to engine failure
RQ15001Recall QueryClosed
Occupant Classification System Failure
PE15001Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Improper Frontal Air Bag Deployment
PE14034Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Steering column separation
PE12022Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Collision Mitigation System Malfunction
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1994 INFINITI Q45 have?▼
The 1994 INFINITI Q45 has 47 NHTSA complaints, 11 crashes, 4 fires, 7 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1994 INFINITI Q45?▼
The most-complained component for the 1994 INFINITI Q45 is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL with 6 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY and POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.
Is the 1994 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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.