2003 Infiniti M45
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Vehicles › Infiniti › M45 › 2003
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
These records cover every 2003 Infiniti M45. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
2 recalls name the 2003 Infiniti M45. Newest first.
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.
The vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
On certain passenger vehicles, the circuit board for the crank position sensor or cam position sensor may have an improper solder joint due to solder deformation caused by heat stress accelerated by the existence of flux residue during the soldering process.
This could cause the "service engine soon" warning light to come on, create a no start condition, cause reduced engine power, or cause the engine to stop running without warning during vehicle operation, which could result in a crash.
Dealers will replace the crank position sensors. Camshaft position sensor(s), and in some cases, the variable timing control sensor(s). vehicles involved in a previous recall campaign, 01v357, are also included in this new campaign. the replacement sensors used in that campaign are also affected. owner notification began on december 22, 2003. owners should contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261 or infiniti at 1-800-662-6200.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
When in motion the engine stall without warning
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
TL* the contact owns a 2003 infiniti M45. While driving approximately 45 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was restarted but the failure recurred continuously. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the crank shaft position sensor and engine control module needed to replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure and the vin was not included nhtsa campaign number: 03v455000 (engine and engine cooling). The failure mileage was 156,000... ....Updated 12/30/15 *bf the consumer stated it was advised for the control module to be replaced. updated 2/23/2016 *js
TL* the contact owns a 2003 infiniti M45. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start and the check engine warning light illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the crank shaft position sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer stated that the vin was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 03v455000 (engine and engine cooling). The failure mileage was 87,831. updated 8/21/15*cn updated 09/09/15*lj updated 11/01/2017*cn
TL* the contact owns a 2003 infiniti M45. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled after the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician stated there was a failure in the crank shaft position sensor. No repairs were made to the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 190,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 infiniti M45. The contact stated that the driver seat leaned to the left while occupied. The vehicle was taken to dealer where the technician diagnosed that the seat rail needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 71,000. updated 4/15/15*cn
Since buying the 45M. I have ran out of gas while the gas gauge level reads full. the first time I was simply drive the a busy highway going about 40mph. The car just suddenly begin to sputter then came to a stop while other cars tried to avoid hitting me. *tr
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
In a March 5, 2012 letter to NHTSA, 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.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID 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.
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 NHTSA 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 NHTSA 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.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers: 10327196 and 10402282
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.
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.