Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC)
Every generation
Power
0–62 mph (0–100 km/h)
Top speed (230 km/h)
Combined, EPA 2006
What owners say
Our take, from owner reports
Sentiment is polarized and heavily dependent on the vehicle's age and condition.
8 problems reported (2 very frequent, 4 recurrent, 2 isolated) · high confidence
Problems owners report
- Very frequentCatastrophic depreciation and high repair costs
Vehicles lose value rapidly and require very expensive repairs post-100,000 miles, with parts being costly and hard to find.
- Very frequentAging electrical and sensor failures
Numerous sensors fail causing stalling, rough running, and check engine lights; window regulators, key fobs, and HVAC system components are problematic.
- RecurrentPower steering system failures
Pumps, racks, and high-pressure lines leak and fail, causing fluid expulsion from the reservoir and noisy operation.
+ 5 more issuesShow fewer
- RecurrentFuel system problems
Fuel pumps fail and are discontinued, fuel level sensors fail, fuel lines and tanks rust/corrode in older models.
- RecurrentPoor fuel economy
V8 engines require premium fuel and achieve low real-world MPG (examples of 8 MPG and "gas guzzler" are cited), which is a noted ownership cost.
- RecurrentCooling system issues
Overheating from cracked hoses, failing thermostats, and radiator fan electrical problems (related to missing fuses).
- IsolatedAlternator and charging system gremlins
Alternators fail repeatedly, often due to underlying electrical issues beyond the component itself.
- IsolatedInterior deterioration
Dashboard pads lifting from their backing, leather wear, and persistent odors from past rodent infestation.
The version owners recommend
Insufficient owner data available to designate a single "best" model year or trim. The first-generation (1990-1996) is noted for its "bubble era" technology and being a short-wheelbase Nissan President, but also for controversial styling. The second-generation (1997-2001) is sometimes criticized for its smaller 4.1L V8 (versus the original 4.5L) and styling. The third-generation (2002-2006) is noted for technological firsts like an available backup camera and HID headlights. Isolated mentions praise the Y33-chassis (1997-2001) Q45t model for its Super HICAS steering and the F50-chassis (2002-2006) for its features. No strong consensus on a definitive best version emerges from the data.
Competitors to consider
Owners compare it most often with the Lexus LS400, Lexus LS430, Lexus GS430, BMW 540i (E39) and Acura RL.
Is the Q45 right for you?
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Overall sentiment
Sentiment is polarized and heavily dependent on the vehicle's age and condition. Long-term owner reports from the 1990s and early 2000s models praise the vehicles for their powerful V8 engines, exceptional comfort, quiet and refined cabins, and high-quality Bose sound systems. Many describe them as fantastic driving cars that were competitive with, or offered as an alternative to, contemporary Lexus LS models. However, a very strong and recurrent consensus warns of catastrophic depreciation and exorbitant repair costs as these vehicles age. Owners report that once these cars exceed approximately 100,000 miles, they often require extensive, expensive replacements of major components. Parts are described as expensive, difficult to source due to low production volumes, and repairs are complex. The vehicles are characterized as reliable when well-maintained but becoming severe financial liabilities when they break, with ownership costs far exceeding the car's low market value. The sentiment for a running example is often nostalgic and positive, but the overarching advice is extreme caution due to ownership costs.
Positioning vs competitors
Positioned as a Japanese luxury flagship and a direct, performance-oriented alternative to the Lexus LS400/LS430, often noted for being faster and more engaging to drive but ultimately less reliable and durable in the very long term. Compared to contemporary German rivals like the BMW 540i, the Q45 is frequently mentioned as being more reliable in its prime but similarly complex and expensive to repair as it ages. It is consistently described as offering superior value on the used market due to extreme depreciation, but this is countered by warnings that total cost of ownership can negate any initial purchase savings compared to a more durable Lexus.
Recommended configurations
Insufficient specific configuration data from owner discussions. General advice, not specific trim recommendations, includes seeking vehicles with extensive maintenance records, preferring lower-mileage examples (under 120,000 miles is mentioned as a target), and budgeting approximately $2,000 USD for immediate deferred maintenance upon purchase. A manual transmission swap from a Nissan 300ZX is mentioned as a project for first-generation cars, but not as a factory recommendation.
General recommendations
Only recommended for experienced enthusiasts or hobbyists with significant disposable income, ample time for repairs, and DIY mechanical skills. Strongly advised against as a primary daily driver or for owners on a tight budget. Essential to have a pre-purchase inspection by a specialist mechanic. Buyers must budget for immediate and ongoing major repairs. Prioritize vehicles with complete service histories and minimal rust. Parts sourcing is a known challenge; owners recommend consulting dedicated online forums (e.g., NICCOClub) for technical support. These cars are suitable for collectors or project car enthusiasts seeking a powerful, comfortable, and depreciated Japanese luxury sedan, but are considered poor choices for economical, reliable transportation.
Remarks
The community feedback spans multiple generations (G50: 1990-1996, Y33: 1997-2001, F50: 2002-2006), with issues and praise often not generation-specific in the discussions. The extreme depreciation is a double-edged sword: it enables purchase of a potent luxury car for very little money (examples cited from $1,500 to $9,800 USD), but the cost of proper maintenance and repair quickly surpasses the vehicle's market value, leading to many being neglected or scrapped. This creates a scarcity of good parts and expertise. The VK45DE V8 engine, while powerful, is noted as being less common and more expensive to source parts for than Nissan's ubiquitous VQ-series V6 engines. Owner satisfaction is almost entirely conditional on accepting the car as a money-losing hobby rather than practical transportation. Analysis based on approximately 50 substantive owner discussions and project logs.
Generation by generation
Owner insights per generation and US complaint/recall records (NHTSA).
Complaints and recalls by model yearNo year grades F. Best year: 2004Source: NHTSA (US)Show table
Each year graded against the model's other years: Year Score.
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 4 | 3 | vehicle speed control |
| 2004 | 7 | 2 | electrical system |
| 2003 | 14 | 1 | engine |
| 2002 | 22 | 1 | engine and engine cooling |
| 2001 | 4 | 1 | electrical system |
| 2000 | 10 | 1 | suspension |
| 1999 | 9 | 0 | tires |
| 1998 | 14 | 3 | air bags |
| 1997 | 12 | 3 | electrical system |
| 1996 | 8 | 0 | suspension |
Complaint counts come from owner reports filed with the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Higher-selling years naturally accumulate more complaints.
Recall notices15 on record · Source: NHTSA (US)Show recalls
2005 · air bags:side/windowcampaign 12V079000
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003-2005 INFINITI Q45 VEHICLES. A WIRING CONNECTOR FOR THE SEAT MOUNTED AIRBAG MAY EXPERIENCE INCREASED ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE, RESULTING IN THE NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE SIDE AIR BAGS.
2005 · exterior lighting:brake lightscampaign 06V395000
CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE STOP LAMP AND REFLEX REFLECTOR REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, 'LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
2005 · child seat:latch strapcampaign 05V374000
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER REAR SEATS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE LOWER ANCHORAGE BRACKETS IN THE REAR SEATS DO NOT MEET THE LOCATION REQUIREMENT IN THIS STANDARD. THIS MAY CAUSE DIFFICULTY IN ATTACHING SOME CHILD SEATS TO THESE BRACKETS.
2004 · air bags:side/windowcampaign 12V079000
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003-2005 INFINITI Q45 VEHICLES. A WIRING CONNECTOR FOR THE SEAT MOUNTED AIRBAG MAY EXPERIENCE INCREASED ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE, RESULTING IN THE NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE SIDE AIR BAGS.
2004 · exterior lighting:brake lights:switchcampaign 04V497000
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION.
2003 · air bags:side/windowcampaign 12V079000
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003-2005 INFINITI Q45 VEHICLES. A WIRING CONNECTOR FOR THE SEAT MOUNTED AIRBAG MAY EXPERIENCE INCREASED ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE, RESULTING IN THE NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE SIDE AIR BAGS.
2002 · engine and engine coolingcampaign 03V455000
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR OR CAM POSITION SENSOR MAY HAVE AN IMPROPER SOLDER JOINT DUE TO SOLDER DEFORMATION CAUSED BY HEAT STRESS ACCELERATED BY THE EXISTENCE OF FLUX RESIDUE DURING THE SOLDERING PROCESS.
2001 · wheelscampaign 03V098000
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 17 INCH ALLOY WHEELS, THE WHEELS MAY HAVE A CASTING DEFECT FROM WHICH CRACKS COULD PROPAGATE AS THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN.
2000 · wheelscampaign 03V098000
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 17 INCH ALLOY WHEELS, THE WHEELS MAY HAVE A CASTING DEFECT FROM WHICH CRACKS COULD PROPAGATE AS THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN.
1998 · electrical system:alternator/generator/regulatorcampaign 02V171000
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, ONE OF THE DIODES USED IN THE ALTERNATOR MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED WHEN BUILT. THIS CAN EVENTUALLY RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE DIODE AND AN ELECTRICAL SHORT WHICH COULD MELT THE PLASTIC HOUSING.
1998 · electrical system:alternator/generator/regulatorcampaign 99V129000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. ONE OF THE DIODES USED IN THE ALTERNATOR MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED WHEN BUILT. THIS CAN EVENTUALLY RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE DIODE AND AN ELECTRICAL SHORT WHICH COULD MELT THE PLASTIC HOUSING.
1998 · power train:automatic transmissioncampaign 98V325000
VEHICLE DESRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE IGNITION KEY CAN BE REMOVED WHEN THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF WITHOUT PLACING THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER IN THE "PARK" POSITION. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK, AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT."
1997 · electrical system:alternator/generator/regulatorcampaign 02V171000
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, ONE OF THE DIODES USED IN THE ALTERNATOR MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED WHEN BUILT. THIS CAN EVENTUALLY RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE DIODE AND AN ELECTRICAL SHORT WHICH COULD MELT THE PLASTIC HOUSING.
1997 · electrical system:alternator/generator/regulatorcampaign 99V129000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. ONE OF THE DIODES USED IN THE ALTERNATOR MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED WHEN BUILT. THIS CAN EVENTUALLY RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE DIODE AND AN ELECTRICAL SHORT WHICH COULD MELT THE PLASTIC HOUSING.
1997 · power train:automatic transmissioncampaign 98V325000
VEHICLE DESRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE IGNITION KEY CAN BE REMOVED WHEN THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF WITHOUT PLACING THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER IN THE "PARK" POSITION. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK, AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT."
Specifications
4.5 i V8 32V
4.5L 8-cylinder · 340 hp · RWD · automatic
Built 2001–2006