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 29 complaints with NHTSA about the 1992 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 | 6 | 21% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 17% |
| Equipment | 4 | 14% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 10% |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 7% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | 3% |
| Steering | 1 | 3% |
| Fuel system | 1 | 3% |
| Steering | 1 | 3% |
| Power train | 1 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD PURCHASED 1992 INFINITY Q45 ON 02/2006 ,AND ON 12/21/06 THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STEERING WAS DIFFICULT TO HANDLE. THE C
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
FACTORY INSTALLED BOSE RADIO SOUND SYSTEM, RIGHT REAR SPEAKER AMPLIFIER STARTED TO SMOKE & BURN. THE INCIDENT STARTED BY A STATIC SOUND,BLACK SMOKE,FIRE,WITHIN 3 MINUTES. RADIO STATIC FOR 3 MINUTES AS IF AN ELECTRICAL ST
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
DT: THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON HIS VEHICLE -- NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #98V284000. THE RECALL WAS SUPPOSE TO BEEN CORRECTED ON FEB. 17, 1999, ACCORDING TO THE SHOP FOREMAN. ON JUNE 5, 2005, CONSUMER'S REAR
NHTSA complaint: Equipment
THE CAR WHILE DRIVING JUST STARTED LEAKING GAS, WITH FAMILY IN THE CAR. THE STEERING COLUMN IS DEFECTIVE. *JB
NHTSA complaint: Steering
CONSUMER REPLACED REAR SPEAKERS OF SOUND SYSTEM WITH AFTER MARKET PRODUCTS IN JUNE OF 1998 DUE TO A FIRE. RECEIVED NOTIFICATION THAT VEHICLE WAS AFFECTED BY RECALL 98V284000 CONCERNING REAR SPEAKER FIRE. MANUFACTURER W
NHTSA complaint: Equipment
MANUFACTURER ISSUED A RECALL REGARDING THE FILTRATION AND COOLING PERFORMANCE FOR THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, RECALL STATES THAT AN EXTERNAL FILTER AND COOLER WOULD BE INSTALLED AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD BE INSPECTED, V
NHTSA complaint: Power train
HE WAS BACKING UP FROM THE DRIVEWAY AND ENGINE STARTED TO RISE UP, AND CRUISE CONTROL WASN'T ON. VEHICLE SUDDENTLY ACCELERATED. DRIVER HAD HIS FOOT ON BRAKE TO STOP VEHICLE FROM GOING ANY FURTHER. CONSUMER STATE
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
PLASTIC GUIDE BROKE, CAUSING TIMING CHAIN TO JUMP, CAUSING MANY VALVES TO BEND OR BREAK, AND CAUSING CRACK IN BLOCK. REQUIRED ENGINE REPLACMENT. NOW, 5 MONTHS LATER, THE SAME PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED AGAIN, REQUIRING ANOTHE
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1992 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.
| Reliability raw | 91 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 81 | excellent |
| 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 29 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 6 of them (21%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 91/100 (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 81/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1992 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 69/100. 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.