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 47 complaints with NHTSA about the 1991 Infiniti Q45, and it carries 2 recalls. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 8 | 17% |
| Equipment | 7 | 15% |
| Electrical system | 7 | 15% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 4 | 9% |
| Suspension | 4 | 9% |
| Power train | 3 | 6% |
| Visibility | 3 | 6% |
| Air bags | 2 | 4% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | 4% |
| Wheels | 1 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE PASSIVE RESTRAINTS(AIR BAGS) THAT WERE USED IN THE 1991, INFINITI, Q45. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT IN NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY, AND INJURIES RESULTED
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE RIM ON THE VEHICLE CRACKED PREMATURELY, WITHOUT VEHICLE BEING IN AN ACCIDENT. NOT THE ORGINIAL RIM OF THE VEHCILE KMC RIMS.PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFO. NLM
NHTSA complaint: Wheels
WRECK ON PASS SIDE AFTER HOOD CAME UP AND IT WAS LATCH BUT CAME LOOSE. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Latches/locks/linkages
SUNVISORS HIT DRIVER OR PASSENGER ON HEAD WHEN GOING AROUND TURNS. SUNVISORS ARE NOT ADJUSTABLE AND CANNOT BE REPAIRED BY DEALER.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Structure
INTERMITTENTLY, THE VEHICLE STALLS OUT WHEN DECELERATING AND THE POWER STEERING DISENGAGES. THIS HAS CAUSED ALMOST SERVERAL MISSED CRASHES. A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN # FC0008624 HAS BEEN ISSUED ON THIS SITUATION. (LET
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
WHEN SWITCHING GEARS FROM PARK TO DRIVE VEHICLE HESITATES, CONSUMER ALSO, WHEN TRAVELING THERE IS A LOUND NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END, TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER STATED FUEL F
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
FRONT SPEAKERS BEGAN MALFUNCTIONING LESS THAN AN HOUR AFTER A RECALL SERVICE REPLACING THE REAR SPEAKER AMPLIFIORS. RECALL NOTICE STATED THAT REAR SPEAKERS COULD MALFUNCTION AND CAUSE A FIRE. THE NOTICE WARNED THAT IF A
NHTSA complaint: Equipment
THE COMPUTER ALMOST CAUGHT ON FIRE BECAUSE IT IT'S LOCATED DIRECTLY ABOVE THE GAS TANK. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1991 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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH BOSE REAR SPEAKERS THAT HAVE AN INTEGRAL AMPLIFIER. A CONDUCTIVE BRIDGE CAN FORM BETWEEN TWO LINES OF THE CIRCUIT BOARD PATTERN WHEN THERE IS ACCUMULATED ELECTROLYTE LEAKED FROMA CAPACITOR AND HIGH HUMIDITY CONDITIONS. THIS CAN CLOSE A TRANSIS
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN SMOKE OR FLAME AND POSSIBLY THE SPEAKER CATCHING FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CIRCUIT BOARD WITH A NEW BOARD THAT HAS BEEN COATED.
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 47 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 8 of them (17%). There are 2 recalls 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 1991 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.