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2003 Infiniti M45

The Verdict

68 Solid Pick

The 2003 Infiniti M45 has 131 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are engine (113 complaints) and electrical (9 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 68/100, it earns a "Solid Pick" rating. If you're shopping for a Infiniti M45, consider the 2004 model year which has 67% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2004 has 67% fewer complaints

View the 2004 Infiniti M45 dashboard →

68

Klunk Score: Solid Pick

Fewer complaints than most vehicles. Generally dependable, but check the top problems below.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Recalls 1

Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.

12V088000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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 H...

Risk

THE VEHICLE MAY STALL WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

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.

Reported Jun 3, 2012

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyElectricalEngineTransmission
2003791132
200434360

By Category

Engine
113
Electrical
9
Body
7
Transmission
2

By Severity

1
73
2
58

Worst Problems

Complaints

Engine 2

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 manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

26mo ago
Electrical 2

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 driver’s side module needed to be replaced. The driver’s side air bag module was replaced. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 112,965.

42mo ago
Transmission 1

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.

69mo ago
Engine 2

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

77mo ago
Body 2

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 HAD BEEN GARAGED KEPT AND NOT DRIVEN FOR 1-2 YEARS, YET THE PAINT CONTINUED TO PEEL. I GOT AN ESTIMATE TO HAVE THE CAR PAINTED, WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN CLOSE TO $4,000! I WOULD JUST LIKE FOR THIS TO BE RESEARCHED THROUGH YOUR AGENCY IF AT ALL POSSIBLE. THANKS

79mo ago
Engine 2

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 DRIVEN, IT MAY TAKE 10-15 ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE.

84mo ago
Engine 2

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 100,000.

96mo ago
Engine 1

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.

111mo ago
Transmission 2

WHEN IN MOTION THE ENGINE STALL WITHOUT WARNING

113mo ago
Body 1

THE BRACKET ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVERS FRONT SEAT HAS BROKEN. THE SEAT NOW SAGS SEVERAL INCHES IN THE LEFT/ REAR SIDE. THIS IS PLACING SUBSTANTIALLY MORE STRESS ON THE RIGHT SIDE'S BRACKET. THIS BRACKET FAILED WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. *TR

115mo ago
Engine 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 INFINITI M45. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING, PRECEDED BY THE DYNAMIC CONTROL INDICATORS ILLUMINATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE, BUT NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER DETERMINED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,000.

117mo ago
Engine 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 INFINITI M45. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE INACCURATELY DISPLAYED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS FULL. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE STALLED DUE TO INSUFFICIENT FUEL IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V088000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

117mo ago
Electrical 1

WHILE I WAS DRIVING THIS VEHICLE, IT HAD SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND I LOST ALL POWER. IT STARTED BACK UP LIKE NORMAL. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE AND I'M AFRAID THIS COULD HAPPEN WHILE I'M ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY FAMILY. I SEE THERE WAS A RECALL INVOLVING THIS BUT NOT FOR MY VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME JUST RECENTLY.

120mo ago
Engine 1

WHILE LEAVING AN ENTRANCE RAMP TO MERGE ONTO THE INTERSTATE, THE VEHICLE SUFFERED A COMPLETE AND TOTAL ENGINE POWER LOSS ALONG WITH ITS POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKING FUNCTIONS. AFTER THIS FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WOULD CRANK BUT NOT START, LEAVING IT STRANDED. THERE IS CURRENTLY A RECALL IN PLACE FOR THE VEHICLE'S MAKE, MODEL, AND MODEL YEAR (RECALL #03V455000), HOWEVER I WAS TOLD BY BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND INFINITI THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THAT RECALL BECAUSE THE PART IN QUESTION WAS MADE BY A DIFFERENT MANUFACTURER THAN WHAT WAS INCLUDED UNDER THE EXISTING RECALL. THE SUMMARY AND CONSEQUENCES OF THIS FAILURE ALIGN EXACTLY WITH THAT OF THE EXISTING RECALL. IT IS EVIDENT THAT THE SAFETY HAZARD EXISTS BEYOND THE SCOPE OF THE ORIGINAL RECALL AND THE PURPOSE OF THIS COMPLAINT IS TO ADDRESS THAT DEFICIENCY.

121mo ago
Engine 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 INFINITI M45. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT AND CAM SHAFT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,500. UPDATED 08/03/16.*JB

124mo ago
Engine 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 INFINITI M45. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 12V088000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

124mo ago
Engine 2

WHILE TURNING LEFT WITH ON COMING TRAFFIC THE ENGINE DIED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE COMMUNICATIONS CENTER SAID IT WAS EMISSIONS RELATED. THE CAR DID RESTART, THE WARNING LIGHT REMAINS ON, AND AFTER A SHORT DRIVE THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL AND HEAT COMING FROM THE CAR. THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALER WILL ONLY WORK ON IT AS CUSTOMER PAY, AND WILL NOT DO ANY RECALL WORK, SAID I NEED TO GO TO THE INFINITY DEALER 2 HOURS AWAY. I JUST NOTIFIED NISSAN CORP TODAY OF THE ISSUE AND WAITING FOR THEIR RESPONSE.

124mo ago
Engine 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 INFINITI M45. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER WAITING FIFTEEN MINUTES, THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO TIMES. ON TWO SEPARATED OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START UNTIL AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

128mo ago
Engine 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 INFINITI M45. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 30V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

129mo ago
Engine 1

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. SHORTLY AFTER THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR RESTARTED ONLY TO DO THAT AGAIN THE NEXT DAY. IT DID IT ANOTHER TIME AND DIDN'T RESTART. HAD IT REPAIRED BY AND INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. 6MONTHS LATER THE SAME PROBLEM IS BCK. DECIDED TO CHECK ON THE RECALLS AND THERE WAS A RECALL CALLED ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING THAT DESCRIBED MY ISSUE TO A T BUT DID NOT INCLUDE MY VIN! THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND UNSAFE. BOTH TIMES MY DAUGHTER WAS IN THE CAR.

129mo ago

131 total

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