Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 33 complaints with NHTSA about the 1990 Infiniti Q45, and it carries 1 recall. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 13 | 39% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 4 | 12% |
| Visibility | 4 | 12% |
| Steering | 2 | 6% |
| Service brakes | 2 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 6% |
| Fuel system | 1 | 3% |
| Equipment | 1 | 3% |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 3% |
| Power train | 1 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
THE CONSUMER HAD TO USE EXCESSIVE FORCE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM WAS LEAKING FLUID AND NEEDED TO BE SERVICED. THE PROBLEM RE-OCCURRED, AND THEN THE DEALER STATED THE RACK AND PI
NHTSA complaint: Steering
I WAS TRICKED INTO BUYING THIS VEHICLE, BEING A FIRST TIME BUYER AND DIVORCED. INCLUDING THIS MAJOR FUEL LEAK (WHICH HAS NOT BEEN ESTABLISHED EXACTLY WHERE THE LEAK IS COMING FROM) THE TRANSMISSION IS GONE. EVEN IF THE
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
INFINITI, THE MANUFACTURER, ISSUED A RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR 1991 AND 1992 MODEL Q 45'S. MINE IS A 1990 MODEL, WHICH HAS ALL OF THE WARNING SIGNS OF THE FIRE DANGER INVOLVED IN THE STEREO SPEAKER RECALL THAT WAS INSTITUTED,
NHTSA complaint: Equipment
THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON DUE TO A DEFECTIVE ABS BRAKE LINE WHICH LEAKED, CAUSING THE ABS FLUID TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION AND VIN#. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
REAR BRAKE LAMP SOCKET OVERHEATS CAUSING SHORT IN SYSTEM RESULTING IN FAILURE OF ALL BRAKE LAMPS.
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
NHTSA HAS RECEIVED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND SERVICE BULLITENS (ACCORDING TO NHTSA RECORDS ACCESSABLE ON THE WEB) REGARDING THE FAULTY DESIGN AND FREQUENT FAILURE OF THIS DANGEROUS TRANSMISSION. WHY HAS THE NHTSA NOT INV
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TRANSMISSION IS NOISY UPON ENGAGING. DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT DUE TO INTERNAL PROBLEMS. NO WARRANTY, REPAIRWORK BEING DONE. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Power train
VEHICLE HAS DEFECTIVE ABS BRAKES, LEAKS BRAKE FLUID AND BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON. THE CONSUMER HAS SPOKEN TO VARIOUS DEALERS, IT APPEARS THAT THE PROBLEM STARTED IN 1990-1992. IN MOST OF 1993 MODELS THE DEFECTS STARTED WI
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1990 Infiniti Q45. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
Risk: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES A
| Reliability raw | 87 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 79 | good |
| Maintenance | 61 | average |
| Depreciation | 52 | average |
| Performance | 69 | good |
| Efficiency | 30 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 33 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 13 of them (39%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 87/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 79/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1990 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 67/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.