1990 Infiniti Q45 problems
The Infiniti Q45 is a full-size luxury sedan manufactured by Nissan for its Infiniti brand, spanning model years 1989-2006 and three design generations.
The first generation Q45 (1989–1999) was based on the Nissan President; the second generation (1997–2000) and third generation (2002–2006) were based on Nissan's JDM Nissan Cima. Marketing of the Q45 ended after MY 2006.
First generation (G50; 1989–1996)
The first generation Q45 came to market in 1989 as a 1990 model with a high-output 4.5 L VH45DE DOHC 32V V8 engine rated at 278 hp (207 kW) and 292 lb⋅ft (396 N⋅m) in North American trim. All Q45s included a viscous limited-slip differential and a multi-link suspension at the front and rear. At launch, the US$38,000 (equivalent to $93,000 in 2023) sedan had a single option, the Touring Package, which added Nissan's Super HICAS four-wheel steering system, a decklid spoiler, and alloy wheels.
In Japan, it was marketed as the Nissan Infiniti Q45, and was exclusive to Nissan Prince Store locations, as its platform twin the President was exclusive to Nissan Store locations. The G50 chassis continued in production in Japan until 2002 as the President in both regular and extended wheelbase versions. The Japanese version had many options that never appeared on the North American G50.
The contemporary upstart luxury marque Lexus (Toyota) had managed to challenge the establish dominance of European full-size luxury cars with the LS 400, so the Q45 seemed poised for similar success with comparable specifications and price to the LS 400 while featuring more emphasis upon handling. However, the Q45 did not achieve similar sales volumes, which was attributed to the car's unconventional styling, particularly the grille and lack of interior woodgrain or chrome trim. There was also an unusual advertising campaign which did not include actual photos or information about the car. By 1995, the price had risen to US$54,000 (equivalent to $108,000 in 2023), slowing sales.
In 1993 the Infiniti brand was launched in Australia with the sole model on offer being the Q45. With a price of A$140,000, the Q45 sold poorly and the brand was subsequently withdrawn from the market in 1996.
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Common 1990 Infiniti Q45 problems
The 1990 Infiniti Q45 is known for several common problems based on complaints from its owners. These issues span across various components of the vehicle, including electrical systems, airbags, lighting, seats, wheels, transmission, and engine.
- Airbag Concerns: Three recalls have been issued for airbag-related problems in the Q45. These recalls address potential defects that may cause the airbags to deploy incorrectly or not at all during a crash, posing a serious safety risk for the vehicle's occupants.
- Lighting Malfunctions: The Q45 has had three recalls related to lighting issues, which can affect both the car's functionality and visibility. These problems may include malfunctioning headlights, taillights, or turn signals, which can increase the risk of accidents and traffic violations.
- Seat Defects: Two recalls have been issued for seat-related problems in the Q45, affecting a total of 2,730,462 vehicles. These defects can range from issues with seat adjustment mechanisms to potential safety hazards, such as seatbacks that may not adequately support occupants during a crash.
- Wheel Problems: Two recalls have been issued for wheel-related issues in the Q45, which can affect the car's handling and stability. These problems may include wheel bearing failures, wheel alignment issues, or wheel hub assembly defects.
- Transmission Troubles: The Q45 has had two recalls related to transmission problems, which can affect the car's performance, drivability, and fuel efficiency. These issues may include transmission slipping, hesitation, or failure to shift properly.
- Engine Defects: One recall has been issued for engine-related problems in the Q45, which can affect the car's performance, fuel efficiency, and emissions. These defects may include issues with the engine control system, fuel injection system, or other critical engine components.
In addition to these recalls, the Q45 has faced criticism for its reliability and high maintenance costs, which have contributed to its excessive depreciation. However, these positive experiences are often overshadowed by the car's well-documented issues, which have led to its poor reputation in the luxury car market.
How much horsepower does a Q45 Infiniti 1990 have?
278 hp
The first generation Q45 came to market in 1989 as a 1990 model with a high-output 4.5 L VH45DE DOHC 32V V8 engine rated at 278 hp (207 kW) and 292 lb⋅ft (396 N⋅m) in North American trim. All Q45s included a viscous limited-slip differential and a multi-link suspension at the front and rear.
What engine is in a INFINITI Q45?
The first generation Q45 had a 4.5-liter DOHC 32-valve aluminium-alloy V8 engine, producing 278 horsepower, which took it from 0-60 in 7.2 seconds – truly outstanding at the time.
How fast is a Q45?
Performance
| 0 - 60 mph | 5.9 s |
|---|---|
| 0 - 100 mph | 14.6 s |
| 1/4 mile | 14.6 s @ 100.0 mph |
| Top speed | 238 kph (148 mph) |
What replaced the Q45?
M45
The Front Engine, Rear Wheel Drive, Four-Door Sedans were powered by a 4.5-Liter V8 engine in its first and third generations and a 4.1-Liter V8 during its second generation. The Q45 was eventually discontinued and replaced in 2006 by the shorter, but higher performance and increased interior space, M35 and M45.
1990 Infiniti Q45 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Infiniti Q45 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Power train problems
- Visibility problems
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Steering problems
- Fuel system problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1990 Infiniti Q45 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 1990 Infiniti Q45
The NHTSA has received 33 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1990 Infiniti Q45. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 1990 Infiniti Q45 vehicles.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2004-03-01
- VIN: JNKNG01C5LM
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *AK
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-08-17
- VIN: JNKNG01C5LM
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE. *AK
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: THE CONSUMER HAD TO USE EXCESSIVE FORCE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM WAS LEAKING FLUID AND NEEDED TO BE SERVICED. THE PROBLEM RE-OCCURRED, AND THEN THE DEALER STATED THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1999-11-25
- VIN: JNKNG01C8LM
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,POWER TRAIN
- Summary: I WAS TRICKED INTO BUYING THIS VEHICLE, BEING A FIRST TIME BUYER AND DIVORCED. INCLUDING THIS MAJOR FUEL LEAK (WHICH HAS NOT BEEN ESTABLISHED EXACTLY WHERE THE LEAK IS COMING FROM) THE TRANSMISSION IS GONE. EVEN IF THE TRANSMISSION IS REPLACED THE VEHICLE IS STILL TO HAZARDOUS TO DRIVE. I AM AT MY WITS END WITH THIS CAR BECAUSE I STILL OWE MONEY ON IT.
EQUIPMENT PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1999-01-01
- VIN: JNKNG01C4LM
- Components: EQUIPMENT
- Summary: INFINITI, THE MANUFACTURER, ISSUED A RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR 1991 AND 1992 MODEL Q 45'S. MINE IS A 1990 MODEL, WHICH HAS ALL OF THE WARNING SIGNS OF THE FIRE DANGER INVOLVED IN THE STEREO SPEAKER RECALL THAT WAS INSTITUTED, HOWEVER, INFINITI REFUSES TO INCLUDE THE 1990 MODELS. THEY ADMITTED THEY HAVE HAD REPORTS OF PROBLEMS WITH THE 1990 MODEL Q45 STEREO SPEAKERS, BUT THEY CONTINUE TO REFUSE TO INCLUDE THAT YEAR IN THE RECALL. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE 1990 MODELS ARE SUBJECT TO THE SAME FIRE DANGER AND I DON'T PARTICULARLY WANT MY CAR TO GO UP IN FLAMES DUE TO A SPEAKER/WIRING FAILURE THAT CAN BE EASILY FIXED BY THE MANUFACTURER IF INCLUDED IN THEIR RECALL CAMPAIGN. *AK
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-12-01
- VIN: JNKNG01C5LM
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1999-06-01
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON DUE TO A DEFECTIVE ABS BRAKE LINE WHICH LEAKED, CAUSING THE ABS FLUID TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION AND VIN#. *AK
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1999-02-11
- VIN: JNKNGO1C3LM
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: REAR BRAKE LAMP SOCKET OVERHEATS CAUSING SHORT IN SYSTEM RESULTING IN FAILURE OF ALL BRAKE LAMPS.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-12-20
- VIN: JNKNG01CXLM
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: NHTSA HAS RECEIVED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND SERVICE BULLITENS (ACCORDING TO NHTSA RECORDS ACCESSABLE ON THE WEB) REGARDING THE FAULTY DESIGN AND FREQUENT FAILURE OF THIS DANGEROUS TRANSMISSION. WHY HAS THE NHTSA NOT INVESTIGATED THIS TRANSMISSION AND RECALLED IT?
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-11-18
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: TRANSMISSION IS NOISY UPON ENGAGING. DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT DUE TO INTERNAL PROBLEMS. NO WARRANTY, REPAIRWORK BEING DONE. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-03-01
- VIN: JNKNGO1C9LM
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: TIMING GEAR FAILED.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-12-15
- VIN: JNKNG0K4LM0
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: VEHICLE HAS DEFECTIVE ABS BRAKES, LEAKS BRAKE FLUID AND BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON. THE CONSUMER HAS SPOKEN TO VARIOUS DEALERS, IT APPEARS THAT THE PROBLEM STARTED IN 1990-1992. IN MOST OF 1993 MODELS THE DEFECTS STARTED WITH THE VENDORS. ABS HOUSING OF METAL CASTINGS ARE DEFECTIVE AND STARTED TO BREAK AWAY INTERNALLY. *AK. SECOND ABS UNIT IS BEING INSTALLED IN VEHICLE.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-01-19
- VIN: JNKNG01C8LM
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO COOLING SYSTEM MALFUNCTION.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-01-19
- VIN: JNKNG01C8LM
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO COOLING SYSTEM MALFUNCTION.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-01-19
- VIN: JNKNG01C8LM
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO COOLING SYSTEM MALFUNCTION.
POWER TRAIN,VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-07-01
- VIN: JNKNG01C9LM
- Components: POWER TRAIN,VISIBILITY
- Summary: TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. IN ADDITION, WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO WORK ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-07-14
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: TIMING CHAIN LOOSE CAUSING DAMAGE TO ENGINE.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-09-10
- VIN: JNKNGO1C2LM
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: WHEN CONSUMER IS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OF 50 OR ABOVE THE VEHICLE WILL MAKE A NOISE OF FUSES POPPING, AND THE VEHICLE WILL SHUT DOWN AT THAT TIME. THERE IS NO WARNING INDICATING THIS PROBLEM BEFORE HAND. VEHICLE HAS SHUT DOWN AND BEEN REPAIRED BY DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES. THE DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. WHEN VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN, CONSUMER WILL REPLACE FUSES FIRST. DEALER'S TELEPHONE NUMBER IS 908-782-6868. CONSUMER HAS EXPRIENCED SHUTDOWN FOR FOURTH TIME AS OF SEPTEMBER 10, 1997. DEALER SAYS SOMEONE WILL CALL CONSUMER, AND NO ONE HAS CALLED. *AK
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-09-01
- VIN: JNKNG01C3LM
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: BUSHON IN TRANSMISSION WORE OUT AND REDUCED LUBRICATION, ALSO NOISY. *AK
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-09-01
- VIN: JNKNG01C3LM
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: BUSHON IN TRANSMISSION WORE AND REDUCED LUBRICATION CAUSING VEHICLE VIBRATIONS AND STALLINGS.
VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: VISIBILITY
- Summary: VEHICLE HAS THE SMELL OF FRESH FUEL WHEN HEATER IS TURNED ON. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: JNKNG01C6LM
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND THE TIMING BELT BROKE, PURCHASE CAR NEW . PLEASE DESCRIBE .
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-09-01
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: IGNITION SENSOR BLEW UP, RESULTING IN A VEHICLE SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING, DEALER CAN NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. *AK
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-05-01
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: TRANSMISSION FAILED. *DH
VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: VISIBILITY
- Summary: REAR WINDOW ON PASSENGER SIDE FELL INWARD W/CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
1990 Infiniti Q45 recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 1990 Infiniti Q45.
- Manufacturer: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
- Components: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
- Summary: THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
- Consequence: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Remedy: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE.
Negative 1990 Infiniti Q45 car reviews
Positive 1990 Infiniti Q45 car reviews
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This car may not be the best fit for those who are accustomed to Japanese reliability. In my experience, it required more maintenance than I had anticipated and I encountered some difficulties finding a mechanic who was familiar with its unique features. Despite these challenges, I thoroughly enjoyed driving it when it was running smoothly. Unfortunately, it experienced more issues than any other vehicle I have owned, and even with a lifetime warranty from AAmco, I found myself needing to have it rebuilt multiple times in less than a year. Ultimately, I decided to trade it in to avoid further frustration.
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This is a fun-to-drive luxury car that outperformed the competition that year.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1990 Infiniti Q45 problems:
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Are you having problems with your 1990 Infiniti Q45?
Paxton Schimmel 2024-02-24
My first car was purchased by my parents in 2002 for $4000 on the side of the road. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a lemon/salvage and started breaking down within a month of purchase. The AC was the first thing to go out and it was difficult to fix due to the electronic controls. Additionally, it was a gas guzzler and the acceleration was only okay. The worst problem was that it would sometimes lose power and stall in the middle of the road, which was very concerning. Despite all of these issues, the car held a special place in my heart as my first car and provided many interesting memories. Eventually, my parents traded it in for a new car.