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Infiniti Q45Model year report

1997 Infiniti Q45 Problems

Complaints
12filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
125,000miles, 6 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
18 mpgcombined, 4.1L 8-cyl RWD · 16 city / 22 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1997 Infiniti Q45 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 1997 Infiniti Q45. The part named most often is electrical system, with 4 complaints (33% of the total), followed by air bags (2) and suspension (2). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 17% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 125,000 miles. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 30 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns and 5 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Air bags complaints overlap with 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Electrical system: “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 car works and other times it does not. The problem started one day while driving at low speeds. The brake light and battery signs appeared on the dash and disappearing after that,the car started to refuse starting and needed a jump. We installed a new battery days ago and the car started right up. …”

NHTSA complaint #10399487, filed 2011-05, 153,000 miles

Air bags: “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 vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000. The VIN was not available.”

NHTSA complaint #10588094, filed 2014-05, 140,000 miles

Suspension: “The vehicle has continually experienced severe vibration in the front end suspension while driving 40 to 60 MPH, the tires have been replaced due to uneven severe wear of the inside of tires (no make/model of tire provided), one tire blew out due to vibration problems. Consumer replaced two sets of tires in 39000 miles.”

NHTSA complaint #784372, filed 1999-12

Brakes: “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 manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 162,915.”

NHTSA complaint #10860028, filed 2016-04, 162,915 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

17% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 101,000 and 153,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–2517%25–500%50–750%75–10050%100–15033%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (6 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 125,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

199819993200120042008201120142016
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1997 Infiniti Q45 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Q45 RWD4.1L 8-cyl4-speed automatic162218$4,550

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 1997 Infiniti Q45 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 30 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 30 bulletins →

Other model years of the Infiniti Q45

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2004742,1732—18—Not enough data
200312100,0001—18—Not enough data
20022063,0001—18—Stable
20015174,6631—18—Not enough data
2000918,2331—18—Not enough data
19999114,0000—18—Not enough data
19981477,0003—18—Not enough data
199712125,0003—18—Not enough data
19967—0—17—Not enough data
19957—0—17—Not enough data
199430—0—17Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19922810,5001—17Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199134—2—17Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199028401—17Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Infiniti Q45 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1997 Infiniti Q45 have?

NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 1997 Infiniti Q45 as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1997 Infiniti Q45 is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 4 complaints (33% of the total), followed by air bags with 2.

Has the 1997 Infiniti Q45 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1997 Infiniti Q45 get?

The EPA rates the 1997 Infiniti Q45 (Q45, 4.1L 8-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 16 city and 22 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1997 Infiniti Q45 reported?

Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 125,000 miles and the middle half falls between 101,000 and 153,000 miles; 17% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.