The 1997 Infiniti Q45 has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 200,000 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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.
Consequence
IF THE COMBUSTIBLE GAS EMITTED BY THE MELTING PLASTIC DOES NOT DISPERSE DUE TO AIR FLOW THROUGH THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, IT COULD IGNITE AND IN TURN IGNITE THE FAN GUIDE IN THE ALTERNATOR.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 29, 2002. 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 NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
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.
Consequence
IF THE COMBUSTIBLE GAS EMITTED BY THE MELTING PLASTIC DOES NOT DISPERSE DUE TO AIR FLOW THROUGH THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, IT COULD IGNITE AND IN TURN IGNITE THE FAN GUIDE IN THE ALTERNATOR.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR.
POWER TRAIN98V3250001998-12-1422,000 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
IF THIS OCCURRED AND THE DRIVER FAILED TO MOVE THE SHIFT LEVER TO 'PARK' OR ENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE, THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AWAY IF PARKED ON A SLOPE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SHIFT LOCK CONTROL UNIT.
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
3
AIR BAGS
1
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
1
SERVICE BRAKES
1
STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE
1
SUSPENSION
1
SUSPENSION:FRONT
1
Total complaints13
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 infiniti q45. While driving approximately 75 mph, the brake pedal was depressed and failed to respond. An unknown warning light illuminated. The vehicle stopped after the vehicle was placed into the neutral position. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 infiniti q45. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the front driver and passenger side air bags deployed inadvertently. The vehicle immediately became full of smoke as the driver and front passenger exited the vehicle. There were no injuries.…”
“The car can refuse to start right after it has been driven and shut off or after it has been parked for a while. It has been happening alot in the last three months. We have had to replace the alternator and battery,that were all replaced early this year by previous owner. Sometimes jumping the…”
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 infiniti q45. While driving 55 mph, the contact noticed that both the brake light and battery warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a chevrolet dealer and they stated that the alternator failed. The contact did not notice any…”
“Sometime after I purchasing the above vehicle in november, 2001, the engine would fail to start without recharging the battery. After recharging, the vehicle would exhibit no malfunction and operate normally for extended periods of time. This condition would reoccur infrequently, and has since…”
“Sometime after I purchasing the above vehicle in november, 2001, the engine would fail to start without recharging the battery. After recharging, the vehicle would exhibit no malfunction and operate normally for extended periods of time. This condition would reoccur infrequently, and has since…”
“The vehicle would rev extremely high when the gas pedal was pressed. This vehicle had a recall for a defective alternator, but the recall expired. The manufacturer and the dealer are aware of the problem( recall no. #02v171000 damaged alternator). *nm”
“Please be advised that beginning in early 2001, we encountered a problem with our infinity q45t. It has continued to degenerate since then. The gas pedal does not engage readily. When at a stopped position and we push on the pedal, it acts as if it is caught or being held by something. With more…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1997 Infiniti Q45 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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