The 1998 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 16 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. 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
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
3
3crashes4injuries
AIR BAGS
2
1crashes4injuries
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
1
1fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
1
Total complaints16
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 infiniti q45. The contact stated that the air bag light illuminated. The dealer stated that the air bag was faulty. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown.”
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 infiniti q45. The contact indicated that the service engine sensor illuminated and there was a loss of power. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled on several occasions. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The vehicle was taken to…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 infiniti q45. The contact stated that the steering column was fractured. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic shop who advised that the steering column was fractured and the repairs would cost $2400. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were…”
“While driving at 35 mph the vehicle collided into another vehicle. The dual airbags did not deploy. The driver sustained spinal injuries and the passenger sustained chest and back injuries. The vehicle was considered total loss. Please provide additional information. *jb”
“While driving at approximately 35 mph the owner hit a vehicle on the front right side. Upon impact, the air bags failed to deploy. The driver and passenger sustained injuries, but did not seek immediate medical attention. *ak *sc *jb the impact was so great that it pushed back the frame rail one…”
“Front seat passenger - 5'9" sitting all the way back with seat belt on. Lifted left arm up just before front end crash impact and suffered a bad fracture requiring surgery and pin placement to left distal radius (forearm bone near wrist on thumb side). 1998 infinity q45. *nlm”
“Seat belt retracter on driver seat is very week and must be assited to retact”
“While driving on highway vehicle shutoff without any warning. As a result, to alternator malfunctioned. Dealer contacted.*ak”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1998 Infiniti Q45 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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