Selling an old or dead Infiniti Q45

Every Q45 is now 20 to 36 years old. If yours is done, you can sell the whole car as it sits. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, with free pickup anywhere in the US.

Three generations of the flagship

Wikipedia gives production dates, not model years, so the year ranges in this table are our grouping. NHTSA's file has no 2006 row.

All three were built in Kaminokawa, Tochigi, Japan, per Wikipedia.

1990-1996: power train complaints and fire reports

The 1990 has 28 complaints, and 13 are filed under the power train. Power train leads the 1992 too, with 8. The 1991 has the most complaints of any year, 34, led by hydraulic service brakes and equipment (6 each). The 1994 has 30 complaints with 8 crashes and 6 injuries, led by air bags and the electrical system (7 each).

Two recalls cover the early cars:

• 95V103 (1990-1991): front seat belt buckle release buttons can break, dropping bits into the buckle so it may not work right. The 2,730,462 vehicles counted are for the campaign as a whole.
• 98V284 (1991-1992): on cars with Bose rear speakers that have a built-in amplifier, leaked electrolyte can form a conductive bridge on the circuit board. Dealers fit a coated board. 28,970 vehicles.

Wikipedia notes a few running changes. The 1994 and later cars have a chrome grille. HICAS and the faster steering ratio were dropped on the 1995 Q45t, and 1996 models lack the variable valve timing of 1990-1995 cars. EPA's listings include a "Q45 Full-Active Suspension" version.

1997-2001: alternators and wheels

The second generation has 49 complaints over five years. The 1998 has 14, with 4 crashes and 8 injuries, and air bags lead with 6.

• 98V325 (1997-1998): the key could come out without the shifter in Park. Dealers replace the shift lock control unit. 22,000 vehicles.
• 99V129 and 02V171 (1997-1998): an alternator diode may have been damaged when built and could short and melt the plastic housing. Dealers replace the alternator. Both campaigns say "passenger vehicles," so other models are likely in their totals.
• 03V098 (2000-2001): 17-inch alloy wheels with a casting defect that could crack while driving. 3,600 vehicles.

2002-2005: the last Q45s

The third generation has 43 complaints. The 2002 has 20, and the 2003 has 12, half of them under the engine. Recalls on these years:

• 03V455 (2002): crank and cam position sensors. 630,000 vehicles, all models in the campaign combined.
• 04V497 (2004): brake lamp switch. 96 vehicles.
• 05V374 (2005): rear child seat anchor brackets on cars with power rear seats. 167 vehicles.
• 06V395 (2005-2006): rear combination lamps. 1,863 vehicles.
• 12V079 (2003-2005): side air bag connector, a Q45-only campaign of 1,349 cars.

After 2006, Wikipedia says, the M took over as Infiniti's flagship. In 2013 every Infiniti car took the Q from the Q45's name.

Complaints and recalls by model year

Complaint figures are NHTSA's, pulled October 10, 2026. Several Q45 recalls stretch over two model years, so the recall column sums past 11.

Fix it or sell it?

1. Check the VIN anyway. Recalls from the 1990s still show on NHTSA's lookup, and the 12V079 side air bag fix is listed as free.
2. V8 or transmission trouble? Price the job in writing, then look at what running Q45s from your generation are listed for.
3. Has it been parked a long time? Sitting for years covers what to check. If you started restoring it and stopped, see old project car.

Selling a Q45 whole

1. Jot down the VIN and odometer reading, describe the fault, and say whether it's a Full-Active Suspension car.
2. Get an offer online, or call (877) 421-6008.
3. Explain where the Q45 is stored and whether its wheels still turn. Pickup is free anywhere in the US, garage and backyard included.
4. Leave it complete, wheels and catalytic converters on. Say if anything is already gone.
5. Bring the title and a photo ID when the truck comes. Title missing? See selling with no title.

Other Infiniti models: the M45, the I30 and the Q70.