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 36 complaints with NHTSA about the 1994 Infiniti Q45, and it carries no 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 8 | 22% |
| Air bags | 7 | 19% |
| Fuel system | 4 | 11% |
| Suspension | 2 | 6% |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 6% |
| Air bags | 1 | 3% |
| Visibility | 1 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 3% |
| Suspension | 1 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
THE CONSUMERS WIFE SUDDENLY SAW THE AIR BAG LIGHT BLINKING, FOLLOWED BY THE BLINKING OF THE SEAT BELT LIGHT, THEN NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOUSING OF THE SEAT BELT. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THE VEHIC
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING IN REVERSE WHEN THE DRIVER'S "SIDE" AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT MOISTURE IN THE CONTROL MODULE CAUSED THE MODULE TO SHORT CIRCUIT RESULTING IN THE BAG DEPLOYING.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
MY WIFE STARTED THE ENGINE IN A CHURCH PARKING LOT AND THE BATTERY LITERALLY EXPLODED, SPREADING BATTERY ACID UNDER THE HOOD. BESIDES THE BATTERY, THE ONLY VISIBLE DAMAGE WAS A BADLY PITTED FAN. THE BATTERY WAS A REPLA
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
THERE WAS AN APPARENT ELECTRICAL SHORT WITHIN THE INTERIOR FRAME NEXT TO THE PASSENGER WINDOW. I'M NOT SURE EXACTLY WHEN THE SHORT OCCURRED BUT THE INTERIOR LINING ON THE PANEL HAS THREE BURN MARKS ABOUT TWO INCHES IN
NHTSA complaint: Visibility
AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON, CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK BATTERY EXPLODED AND VEHICLE HAD ELECTRICAL CONTROL PROBLEMS. *YH
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH VEHICLE WAS BROADSIDED, AND NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
THE FUEL INJECTORS JUST KEEP GOING BAD, EVEN DOING ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENCE WORK ON TIME AND USING ONLY THE INSTRUCTED PREMIUM FUEL FROM EITHER AMOCO OR MOBILE. I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND IT. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, HEARD POPPING SOUNDS FROM REAR, SMELLED SMOKE AND ENGINE SHUT DOWN. VEHICLE FILLED WITH SMOKE BY TIME STOPPED VEHICLE. ELECTRICAL FIRE BURNED AREA BETWEEN TRUNK AND BACK SEAT, AROUND GAS TANK ON
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
| 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 36 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 8 of them (22%). No recalls are on record for it.
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 1994 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.