Model year record

2003 Infiniti M45 recalls & problems

The 2003 Infiniti M45 has 2 safety recalls and 129 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is fuel system, gasoline (65 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints129filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Fuel system, gasolineMar 6, 2012

Fuel system, gasoline

Recall 12V0880008,120 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003-2004 INFINITI M45 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 7, 2002, THROUGH JUNE 3, 2004. DUE TO A CIRCUIT BOARD FAILURE, THE FUEL GAUGE MAY READ A FUEL LEVEL HIGHER THAN ACTUALLY EXISTS. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE MAY RUN OUT OF GAS WITHOUT NOTICE.
Risk: THE VEHICLE MAY STALL WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE CIRCUIT BOARD FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-647-7261.

Engine and engine coolingNov 17, 2003

Engine and engine cooling

Recall 03V455000630,000 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: THIS COULD CAUSE THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON, CREATE A NO START CONDITION, CAUSE REDUCED ENGINE POWER, OR CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRANK POSITION SENSORS. CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR(S), AND IN SOME CASES, THE VARIABLE TIMING CONTROL SENSOR(S). VEHICLES INVOLVED IN A PREVIOUS RECALL CAMPAIGN, 01V357, ARE ALSO INCLUDED IN THIS NEW CAMPAIGN. THE REPLACEMENT SENSORS USED IN THAT CAMPAIGN ARE ALSO AFFECTED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR 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 M45 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

M45

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

4.5 L · 8 cyl · Automatic (S5) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/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	Typical mileage*
Fuel system, gasoline	65	85,475 mi
Engine	23	138,000 mi
Electrical system	22	95,900 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys	19	85,000 mi
Fuel system, otherStorage › Fuel gauge system	11	71,500 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	6	159,000 mi
Seats	5	85,372 mi
StructureBody › Hood; Body	4	24,000 mi
Power train	4	137,780 mi
EquipmentAppliance › Air conditioner; Electrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc.	3	—
Air bagsSide/window	3	126,355 mi
VisibilityPower window devices and controls; Glass, side/rear	2	—

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

Recent owner complaints

Fuel system, gasoline
The contact owns a 2003 Infiniti M45. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the fuel gauge failed to read the fuel level correctly and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed several times to a dealer and independent mechanic however, the fuel gauge sensor could not be replaced. Additionally, on one occasion, the vehicle was steered to the side of the road where the vehicle was refueled. The vehicle was restarted but the failure persisted. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel filter needed to be replaced and the fuel gauge sensor needed to be cleaned. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred. The…
Jun 15, 2016 · 160,000 miles
Air bags
The contact owns a 2003 Infiniti M45. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The contact stated that the driverâs side module needed to be replaced. The driverâs side air bag module was replaced. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 112,965.
Oct 11, 2022 · 112,965 miles
Power train
TRAVELING AT ABOUT 60 MPH ON A STATE ROUTE, THE CAR SHUT DOWN. NO POWER, NO DASH LIGHTS, INABILITY TO USE TURN SIGNALS TO INDICATE THE INTENTION OF CHANGING LANES TO THE RIGHT AND ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHICH NEARLY CAUSED A COLLISION AS THE CAR SLOWED TO CRAWL. ONCE PULLED ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AFTER MANY ATTEMPTS THE CAR STARTED AND WE DROVE IT HOME, THE SYMPTONS SUGGEST THE CAM POSITIONING SENSOR IS TO BLAME, WHICH SEEMS TO HAVE HAPPENED TO OTHER MOTORISTS.
Oct 31, 2020 · 137,780 miles
Fuel/propulsion system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 INFINITI M45. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED THE FUEL TANK WAS FULL AT ALL TIMES. THE VEHICLE RAN OUT OF FUEL DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER BENNETT INFINITI (1060 PA-315 WILKES BARRE PA) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 159,000. *BF*JB
Oct 1, 2019 · 159,000 miles
Structure › Body
I AM THE OWNER OF A WHITE 2003 INFINITI M45. A FEW YEARS AGO, I NOTICED A SMALL CHIP RIGHT ABOVE HE WINDSHIELD ON THE ROOF OF THE CAR. I CONTACTED INFINITI BACK THEN TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS, BUT THERE WERE NOT. AT THIS POINT, THERE IS NO PAINT COVERING THE TOP OF THE VEHICLE. AS OF TODAY, INFINITI STILL HAS NO RECALLS/CAMPAIGNS FOR CHIPPED PAINT OF THIS PARTICULAR MODEL. BUT, I DID FIND DURING RESEARCH THAT THERE NEW MODELS WITH DEFECTIVE (WHITE) PAINT THAT HAS BEEN REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER DAMAGE, I HAVE SEEN A COUPLE OTHER 2003 M45'S WITH CHIPPING PAINT. WHICH WOULD LEAVE BE TO BELIEVE THAT THERE MUST HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE PAINT. MY VEHICLE IS UNRECOGNIZABLE. THIS VEHICLE…
Jan 1, 2016
Engine
2003 INFINITI M45 WITH APPROXIMATELY 106,000 MILES. CAR WILL STALL SUDDENLY AT HIGHWAY OR CITY ROAD SPEEDS NECESSITATING PUTTING CAR INTO NEUTRAL OR PULLING OVER TO RESTART. PREVIOUSLY, AFTER THIS HAD HAPPENED, A CODE FOR FAULTY CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS RECOVERED, AND BOTH THE CRANKSHAFT AND CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSORS WERE REPLACED WITH AFTERMARKET NEW PARTS FROM DURALAST. CAR NO LONGER HAS A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CODE ASSOCIATED WITH THE STALLING, BUT THE STALLING PERSISTS. ALSO, WHEN CAR IS COOLED TO AMBIENT TEMPERATURE, IT MAY TAKE 2-3 IGNITION ATTEMPTS TO START THE CAR AND OCCASIONALLY A BACKFIRE/MISFIRE IS HEARD DURING FAILED ATTEMPTS. IF CAR HAS SAT FOR MULTIPLE DAYS WITHOUT BEING…
Jul 27, 2019 · 106,000 miles
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 INFINITI M45. WHILE STATIONARY AND WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS,THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND "CHECK YOUR FUEL CAP" DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. A DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE CONTACT CITED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AS A POSSIBLE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES, AS REPORTED BY A CODE READER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY…
Dec 8, 2017 · 100,000 miles
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 INFINITI M45. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.
Jan 1, 2016 · 145,000 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

Fuel level gauge system failureClosedLed to recall 12V088000
In a March 5, 2012 letter to NHTSA, Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) submitted a Defect Information Report identifying a defect in the combination meter circuit board in approximately 8,120 model year 2003 through 2004 Infiniti M45 vehicles manufactured from March 7, 2002 through June 3, 2004 (Recall No. 12V-088). According to Nissan, heat generated by several components of the circuit board may cause solder cracks due to thermal shock.Open circuits created by the solder cracks may cause the fuel gauge to read higher than the actual amount of fuel remaining in the gas tank or always indicate full.Because of this condition, drivers may run out of fuel without notice, resulting in an engine stall without warning with no possibility of restart. The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) analyzed complaint data provided by Nissan as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers.In…
PE11038 · opened Dec 14, 2011 · closed Mar 22, 2012
Non-deployment of Side Thorax Air BagsClosedLed to recall 12V079000
The subject vehicles are equipped with seat-mounted, side thorax air bags for the driver and front passenger.This investigation revealed that faulty side air bag module electrical connectors located under the driver and front passenger seats can cause an interruption in the electrical circuit that will drop the input voltage below the specified range.As a result, the air bag warning lamp illuminates on the instrument panel and the affected side air bag becomes deactivated.In June 2009, Nissan conducted a service campaign to repair the defective air bag electrical connectors in the subject vehicles (both Infiniti Q45 and M45 models).In June 2010, Nissan sent a second notification concerning the 2009 campaign to owners of vehicles that have not been remedied.Nissan is now conducting a safety recall of the Q45 vehicles not remedied under the service campaign (approximately 1,349 vehicles;…
EA09005 · opened Apr 1, 2009 · closed Apr 3, 2012
SIDE AIR BAG NON-DEPLOYMENTClosed
THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH SEAT-MOUNTED, SIDE TORSO AIR BAGS FOR THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS REVEALED THAT FAULTY SIDE AIR BAG MODULE CONNECTORS LOCATED UNDER THE FRONT SEATS CAN CAUSE AN INTERRUPTION IN THE ELECTRICAL CURRENT THAT WILL DROP THE INPUT VOLTAGE BELOW THE SPECIFIED RANGE.AS A RESULT, THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATES AND THE AFFECTED SIDE AIR BAG IS DEACTIVATED.THE RATES OF COMPLAINTS, FIELD REPORTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT ISSUE ARE VERY HIGH.FOR EXAMPLE, NISSAN SUBMITTED 4,853 WARRANTY CLAIMS ON 3,551 DISTINCT SUBJECT VEHICLES OUT OF 13,836 TOTAL SUBJECT VEHICLES.ALSO, ANALYSES OF WARRANTY CLAIMS INDICATE AN INCREASING FAILURE TREND OVER TIME.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA09-005) TO FURTHER STUDY THE ISSUE.
PE08067 · opened Dec 2, 2008 · closed Apr 1, 2009