Model year record

2003 Infiniti FX45 recalls & problems

The 2003 Infiniti FX45 has 9 safety recalls and 25 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is exterior lighting (6 complaints).

Recalls9safety recalls

Complaints25filed by owners

Crashes · fires1 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Air bagsJan 9, 2020

Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

Recall 20V008000307,962 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback, 2001-2004 Infiniti I30 and I35, 2002-2003 Inifiniti QX4, 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 and 2006-2010 M35 and M45 vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated, frontal passenger air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators with alternate desiccated inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 888-737-9511 or Infiniti customer service at 888-810-3715.

Air bagsMay 24, 2016

Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

Recall 16V349000413,852 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45, 2003-2004 Infiniti I35, 2006-2010 Infiniti M35 and M45, and 2007-2011 Nissan Versa vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Nissan is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45, 2003-2004 Infiniti I35, 2006-2008 Infiniti M35 and M45, and 2007-2008 Nissan Versa vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Nissan is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Infiniti I35 vehicles originally sold, or registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began December 21, 2017. All owners should receive a second notice by May 15, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

Air bagsMay 15, 2015

Air bags

Recall 15V2870001,090,569 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2001-2003 Nissan Maxima, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4 and I35, 2003 FX35 and FX45, and 2001 I30 vehicles. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on June 15, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. Note: On December 18, 2015 Nissan informed NHTSA of an amendment of this recall to remove 2004-2005 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 vehicles.

Air bagsApr 17, 2015

Air bags

Recall 15V22600012,606 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Infiniti I35, 2003-2005 FX35 and FX45, and 2006 M35 and M45 vehicles originally sold, or currently registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Saipan, Guam, and American Samoa, as well as Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and Georgia, are included. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengerÂs frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-701.

Exterior lightingAug 31, 2006

Headlights

Recall 06V328000105,200 vehicles

Problem: DURING A CANADIAN COMPLIANCE TEST, CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, 'LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.' THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES DO NOT MEET THE HEADLAMP PHOTOMETRIC VALUES REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Risk: THIS STANDARD IS TO REDUCE TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS AND INJURIES RESULTING FROM TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS, BY PROVIDING ADEQUATE ILLUMINATION OF THE ROADWAY, AND BY ENHANCING THE CONSPICUITY OF MOTOR VEHICLES ON THE PUBLIC ROADS SO THAT THEIR PRESENCE IS PERCEIVED AND THEIR SIGNALS UNDERSTOOD, BOTH IN DAYLIGHT AND IN DARKNESS OR OTHER CONDITIONS OF REDUCED VISIBILITY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.

Exterior lightingJul 11, 2006

Exterior lighting

Recall 06V244000105,200 vehicles

Problem: DURING A CANADIAN COMPLIANCE TEST, CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAILED TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, 'LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.' A REAR COMBINATION LAMP ASSEMBLY DID NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS.
Risk: THIS STANDARD IS TO REDUCE TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS AND INJURIES RESULTING FROM TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS, BY PROVIDING ADEQUATE ILLUMINATION OF THE ROADWAY, AND BY ENHANCING THE CONSPICUITY OF MOTOR VEHICLES ON THE PUBLIC ROADS SO THAT THEIR PRESENCE IS PERCEIVED AND THEIR SIGNALS UNDERSTOOD, BOTH IN DAYLIGHT AND IN DARKNESS OR OTHER CONDITIONS OF REDUCED VISIBILITY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR COMBINATION LAMP ASSEMBLIES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT INFINITI AT AT 1-800-662-6200.

Fuel system, gasolineDec 13, 2005

Fuel system, gasoline

Recall 05V555000192,659 vehicles

Problem: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FUEL FILLER HOSE MAY CRACK AND RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE HOSE WHILE REFUELING.
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILLER HOSE. RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 27, 2006, FOR NISSAN OWNERS, AND ON MARCH 13, 2006, FOR INFINITI OWNERS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.

Service brakes, hydraulicNov 14, 2003

Foundation components › Disc › Caliper

Recall 03V47600024,300 vehicles

Problem: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER MOUNTING BOLTS MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY TIGHTENED. THIS COULD RESULT IN ONE OR BOTH OF THE CALIPER MOUNTING BOLTS LOOSENING.
Risk: IF THIS OCCURS, IT WOULD ALLOW THE CALIPER TO ROTATE OR SEPARATE FROM ITS MOUNTING BRACKET. THIS COULD CAUSE THE BRAKE TO FAIL, REDUCING THE VEHICLE'S ABILITY TO STOP. IT COULD ALSO DAMAGE THE WHEEL, CAUSING THE TIRE TO GO FLAT. EITHER ONE OF THESE CONDITIONS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER MOUNTING BOLTS TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE SECURE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JANUARY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.

Power trainMay 5, 2003

Automatic transmission

Recall 03V164000164 vehicles

Problem: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE BOLTS WHICH ATTACH THE PROPELLER SHAFT(S) TO THE TRANSAXLE AND DIFFERENTIAL(S) MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ADEQUATELY TIGHTENED.
Risk: IF THE BOLTS COME LOOSE, THE PROPELLER SHAFT MAY COME OFF THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PROPELLER SHAFT BOLTS AND TIGHTEN THE BOLTS TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 27, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2003 Infiniti FX45 4-DR. w/SAB

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

FX45 AWD

15mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 18 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

4.5 L · 8 cyl · Automatic (S5) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $5,500/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Typical mileage*
Exterior lightingHeadlights › High/low beam dimmer switch; Headlights › Switch	6	0	—
Air bags	5	1	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Driveline › Driveshaft	4	0	17,300 mi
StructureBody	4	0	118,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Disc › Caliper; Foundation components › Disc › Pads	3	0	42,000 mi
Fuel system, gasolineCarburetor system	2	0	—
Unknown or other	2	0	—
Fuel/propulsion system	2	0	—
VisibilityWindshield	1	0	—
Electrical system	1	0	—
Vehicle speed control	1	0	—
SeatsFront assembly › Power adjust	1	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Air bags
HELLO! MY NAME IS [XXX]. I OWNER OF INFINITI FX45 2003 [XXX] AND ACCORDING TO VINRCL.SAFERCAR.GOV/VIN/ I HAVE SEVERAL INCOMPLETE DEFECTS IN MY CAR. COULD YOU PLEASE CHECK THIS AND SUPPORT ME WITH PARTS REPLACEMENT? THANK YOU IN ADVANCE! I CONTACTED A DEALERSHIP IN RUSSIA, NO ACTION ON MY APPEAL HAPPENED. THEY DON'T DO ANYTHING. PLEASE HELP, I AM WORRIED ABOUT MY OWN SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF OTHER PEOPLE.RUSSIA CANNOT BE SELECTED IN YOUR FORM. SORRY FOR THE INACCURATE INFORMATION INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Sep 9, 2020
Air bags
I AM LOCATED IN RUSSIA, AND THE LOCAL INFINITI DEALER DOES NOT PERFORM RECALL COMPANIES ON MY CAR.
Feb 20, 2020 · 148,000 miles
Unknown or other
I WAS BACKING DOWN MY DRIVE WAY (ABOUT 200 FT.) AND I HEARD A POPING SOUND. THEN AS I STARTED TO DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD IS WAS LOUDER, SOUND CAME FROM THE ROOF SO I OPENED THE CURTAIN IN FRONT OF THE MOON ROOF AND IT WAS ALL SHATTERED. THE CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGED AND THE TEMP THAT DAY WAS IN THE LOW 40 DEGREES.
Dec 19, 2019 · 172,000 miles
Unknown or other
THE 2 REAR DOOR LOCKS DON'T LOCK OR UNLOCK. DANGEROUS CONDITION.
Apr 3, 2015 · 60,000 miles
Air bags
ALL THE LIGHTS ARE SWEATING, POOR VISIBILITY. ACCORDING TO: NUMBER OF REVIEWS ON HTSA: 06V-328 REVIEW DATE: ABRYCT 3 2006 NUMBER REVOCATION MANUFACTURER: R0608 SUMMARY DURING CANADIAN COMPLIANCE TESTING SOME SPECIAL VEHICLES SPORTS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR FEDERAL STANDARD SAFETY CAR. 108, “LAMPS, REFLECTED DEVICES AND RELATED EQUIPMENT” HEAD LAMP CHARGES DO NOT CORRESPOND TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF PHOTOMETRIC VALUES OF THE HEAD LAMP REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD RED CARD REACT HEAT HAZE RIGHT HYRECE RIGHT HYRECE REACTOR HYRECRANIOR REACTOR HYRELECTRICANTS ONLY HYRES TO HAVE ON RIGHT HYRECTS ON RIGHT HARDWARE RIGHT HARDWARE RIGHT HYRECE HYRES, RIGHT TO HAVE RIGHT TO HAVE RIGHT TO HAVE RIGHT…
Nov 11, 2018
Air bags
TAKATA RECALL: YOUR SITE INDICATES THAT MY VEHICLE HAS TAKATA AIRBAG(S). HOWEVER, INFINITI'S WEBSITE SAYS MY VEHICLE IS NOT AFFECTED BY THE TAKATA RECALL. I CONTACTED INFINITI CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TOLD MY CAR WAS NOT AFFECTED (SEE ATTACHED EMAIL). I AM CONCERNED THAT INFINITI'S RECALL PROGRAM IS MISSING MY VEHICLE
Dec 4, 2017
Power train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 INFINITI FX45. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE DRIVESHAFT ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE SHAFT BOLT SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE DRIVESHAFT NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
Jan 22, 2017 · 160,000 miles
Air bagsCrash
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A MINOR GRAZING IMPACT ON BOTH RIGHT SIDE DOORS (IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION), WHICH DEPLOYED THE RIGHT SIDE AIRBAGS AND ALSO THE AIRBAG INSIDE THE FRONT PASSENGER LEATHER SEAT. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE WINDOW GLASS DIDN'T BREAK, THE DOORS OPENED AND CLOSED NORMALLY. THE SAFETY ISSUE IS THAT WHEN THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, THE ENGINE DIED IMMEDIATELY, AS IF FROM AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE, AND THE STEERING WHEEL PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND THE DRIVER (ME) HAD NO BRAKING. THE CAR VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND COASTED TO A STOP IN A YARD AT THE FAR END OF THE INTERSECTION. AFTERWARDS, THE CAR STARTED NORMALLY AND WAS DRIVABLE. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC OR PEDESTRIANS, SO NOBODY…
Jan 2, 2015 · 86,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled…
EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021
Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpenLed to recall 14V668
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.During the course of PE14-016, ODI determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by Takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.Nonetheless, at ODI's insistence, all 10 vehicle manufacturers initiated a regional recall within approximately two weeks of the opening of the investigation.The regions recalled initially included Florida, Puerto Rico,…
EA15001 · opened Feb 24, 2015
Air Bag Inflator RuptureClosedLed to recall 13V172000
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.During the course of PE14-016, ODI determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by Takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.Nonetheless, at ODI's insistence, all 10 vehicle manufacturers initiated a regional recall within approximately two weeks of the opening of the investigation.The regions recalled initially included Florida, Puerto Rico,…
PE14016 · opened Jun 11, 2014 · closed Mar 2, 2015