Summary
The INFINITI Q45 has 14 recalls spanning the 1991–2005 production run, with the most serious being a wheel casting defect on 2000 models where cracks can propagate through a 17-inch alloy wheel until it separates from the hub while driving, raising the risk of a crash.
The most recent production years, 2003–2005, have two notable issues. On 2003–2005 vehicles, a wiring connector for the seat-mounted side airbags can develop high electrical resistance, preventing the side airbags from deploying in a crash. The 2005 model year also has a child seat anchor bracket that may not position correctly for all child seat designs, making it difficult to secure a child seat and reducing restraint effectiveness in a crash. On 2004 models, the brake lamp switch can fail and leave brake lights dark when the pedal is pressed, removing a key warning signal for drivers behind the vehicle.
Going back to the 1997 model year, two related recalls cover the same underlying shift-lock problem: the ignition key can be withdrawn after shutting off the engine without the transmission being placed in park, which allows the vehicle to roll away on any slope if the parking brake is also left disengaged. Separately, a diode in the 1997 alternator can fail and cause an electrical short that melts the alternator's plastic housing, producing combustible gases that can ignite and start an engine compartment fire.
Earlier production has fire-related electrical concerns as well. On 1991–1992 models equipped with Bose rear speakers with built-in amplifiers, moisture and a leaked capacitor on the circuit board can cause overheating that leads to smoke or fire at the speaker itself. These vehicles are now well into their third decade, but owners who still have working original audio equipment should be aware of this history.
