Tl* the contact owns a 2004 infiniti m45. While the vehicle was stopped at a red light, the accelerator pedal was depressed, the engine stalled, and all of the warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the diagnostic results were unknown. The vehicle was previously repaired under the federal safety agency campaign number: 03v455000 (engine and engine cooling) however, the remedy failed to prevent the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 168,000.
The worst 2004 Infiniti M45 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Fuel system29
- Engine8
- Electrical5
- Seats3
- Airbags2
- Lights1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2004 Infiniti M45
Recalls 2
Fuel system, gasoline
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
Recall number 12V088000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles, the brake lamp switch may malfunction.
- Risk
- If this occurs, the brake lights will not illuminate when the brake is applied, which could result in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the brake lamp switch. The recall began on october 25, 2004. Owners should contact infiniti at 1‑800‑662‑6200.
Recall number 04V497000 · Recall details
See all 2 recalls for the 2004 Infiniti M45
Defect investigations
Fuel level gauge system failure
In a March 5, 2012 letter to the federal safety agency, 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 total, there were 315 unique reports indicating an inaccurate fuel level reading while driving, including 61 that resulted in an engine stall incident (7.5 incidents per thousand vehicles).In addition, Nissan provided warranty data showing 2,525 claims for replacement of the subject component (31% claim rate).Nissan will begin owner notification in mid-April 2012.Owners of the recalled vehicles will be notified to take their vehicle to an Infiniti dealer, who will install a sub-amplifier in the combination meter to bypass the electric circuit and ensure accurate fuel level indication.This preliminary evaluation is closed.The ODI reports cited above can be viewed at www-odi.the federal safety agency.dot.gov/owners/Searchreference under the following identification numbers (ODI Nos.): 10429412, 10427140, 10426741, 10424642, 10423199, 10418078, 10416519, 10414944, 10412053, 10408935, 10406834, 10406096, 10404206, 10404080, 10395207, 10392714, 10386134, 10380863, 10374719, 10373992, 10369584, 10365717, 10365428, 10356315, 10353972, 10351181, 10349252, 10348351, 10342961, 10342641, 10336272, 10329869, 10325399, 10324572, 10323996, 10323757, 10322403, 10320190, 10318987, 10317547, 10317273, 10317234, 10317030, 10308445.
PE11038
Non-deployment of Side Thorax Air Bags
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; see the federal safety agency Safety Recall No. 12V‑079 for further details).The M45 vehicles are not included in the recall; however, Nissan is re-notifying owners of M45 vehicles that were not remedied under the previous service campaign.See attached report for more information.A safety-related defect trend has not been identified in the Infiniti M45 vehicles at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that no safety-related defect exists.The agency will monitor the issue and reserves the right to take future action if warranted by the circumstances.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at www-odi.the federal safety agency.dot.gov/owners/Searchreference under the following identification (ODI) numbers: 10327196 and 10402282
EA09005
Side air bag non-deployment
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
Technical service bulletins for the 2004 Infiniti M45 56
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Wiring harness repair information
- Certification label and VIN plate replacement service information
- Intelligent key not detected / engine will not start
- Removing foreign material from the window glass
- Window glass warranty information
- Windshield cracking
- Wheel bearing collision damage
- Infiniti; front sonar parking sensor service information
- Navigation map data update matrix
- Exterior cleaning information service information
2004 Infiniti M45 fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.5L 8‑cyl | RWD | 16 | 22 | 18 |
What 2004 Infiniti M45 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 infiniti m45. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning and failed to restart. The contact mentioned that the failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to an auto parts store, where it was determined that the cam shaft sensor needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 171,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 infiniti m45. While driving at various speeds, the brake light did not illuminate when the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v497000 (exterior lighting). The approximate failure mileage was 155,924.
Tl* the contact owns 2004 infiniti m45. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle started sputtering before stalling. The contact mentioned that the entire instrument panel illuminated and moments later, the vehicle restarted. The vehicle exhibited the failure multiple times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician diagnosed that the cam shaft position sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 111,191.
Frame on drivers seat broken causing seat to list to the left side. Previously repaired by dealer who informed us at the time that it could not be repaired again, it would need to be replaced at at cost of approx $1800.00. Seat currently now needs replacement. This is a one owner vehicle and has been maintained by the dealership.
The first incident happened on june 3rd driving to work and the car just gave out. It stalled, lights came on the dashboard and car died. I was able to drift to a side street in which I tried to start the car again; however, the car would not start up. I had to get it towed to my house. After sitting for the day, I tried to start it up again and it started. I was able to make it to the advance auto near my home where they put it on the machine to see if there was a problem with the alternator and/or battery. Alternator was good and the battery had some dead cells but I was told not enough for the car to just die out in the middle of driving. The next day I installed a new battery, the car started, drove onto the interstate and it stalled again (my daughter was in the car) I had to drift to service road. I had to leave the car overnight, went back this morning (wednesday)and the car started, I drove directly to the infiniti dealer and was diag.w/a bad crank position sensor. I had it repaired. I researched this problem the first day it happened and found that a recall was in place for over 620k m45's;however mine was not one of them. Same part, same diag, same model, different year. This is definitely a hazardous problem and I am seeking reimbursement for the fees I paid today along with someone looking into recalling this part in the m45 models. Its ridiculous not too if the same part had to be replaced in a 2004 with the same diag. And not a 2003. If this is not the correct department I need to file a complaint with, I need to know who can really look into this issue. Luckily, no one was hurt in my situation but it is bound to happen because going highway speeds with your car coming to a slow pace instantly creates a very frantic situation.
Tl* the contact owns 2004 infiniti m45. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the vdc, engine, and seatbelt lights illuminated. The contact restarted the vehicle and changed the battery a day later but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection and they stated that the crank position sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 137,523. ..updated 06/28/13 *bf updated 07/3/2013
Went to sit in car and heard a loud pop as I sat. Seat was then shaky and unstable. Further inspection revealed the seat was loose or broken on the left side. Took car to infiniti where I was told the seat came out of the track and the seat track needed to be replaced at a cost of $1200.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 infiniti m45. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle restarted after an hour and was able to be driven to the dealer where the failure could not be replicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact also stated that the failure recurred approximately eight times over the span of a month. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 164,000...updated 02-13-13 *bf updated 02/14/13
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 infiniti m45. The contact stated that the oil indicator lamp failed to illuminate, indicating that the oil level was low. As a result, the engine seized. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic who diagnosed that the engine and the instrument panel needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 118,000.
Compare the 2004 Infiniti M45
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Questions about the 2004 Infiniti M45
Is the 2004 Infiniti M45 reliable?
Owners have filed 43 complaints about the 2004 Infiniti M45, 1.6 times a typical M45 model year.
What is the 2004 Infiniti M45 year score?
The 2004 Infiniti M45 scores 58 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Infiniti M45: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2004 Infiniti M45?
Fuel and propulsion system, with 29 complaints, typically around 72,000 miles. Next is engine (8).
How many recalls does the 2004 Infiniti M45 have?
2 recalls, covering fuel system, gasoline and exterior lighting.
Was there a recall on the 2004 Infiniti M45 fuel system?
Yes, 1 recall: 12V088000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Infiniti M45 have the most fuel system problems?
The Infiniti M45 model years with the most fuel system complaints are 2003 (78 complaints) and 2004 (29 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2004 Infiniti M45 get?
Official estimates for the 2004 Infiniti M45 range from 18 mpg combined. The most efficient version (4.5L 8-cyl, RWD) gets 16 city and 22 highway.
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