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 131 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Infiniti M45, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system | 43 | 33% |
| Engine | 15 | 11% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 13 | 10% |
| Fuel system | 13 | 10% |
| Fuel system | 6 | 5% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 4 | 3% |
| Air bags | 3 | 2% |
| Seats | 3 | 2% |
| Fuel system | 3 | 2% |
| Power train | 2 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 2003 Infiniti M45. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the fuel gauge failed to read the fuel level correctly and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed se
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
The contact owns a 2003 Infiniti M45. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The contact stated that the driver’s side module needed
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TRAVELING AT ABOUT 60 MPH ON A STATE ROUTE, THE CAR SHUT DOWN. NO POWER, NO DASH LIGHTS, INABILITY TO USE TURN SIGNALS TO INDICATE THE INTENTION OF CHANGING LANES TO THE RIGHT AND ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHICH NEARLY
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 INFINITI M45. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED THE FUEL TANK WAS FULL AT ALL TIMES. THE VEHICLE RAN OUT OF FUEL DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE CAUSE OF THE
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
I AM THE OWNER OF A WHITE 2003 INFINITI M45. A FEW YEARS AGO, I NOTICED A SMALL CHIP RIGHT ABOVE HE WINDSHIELD ON THE ROOF OF THE CAR. I CONTACTED INFINITI BACK THEN TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS, BUT THERE WERE NOT
NHTSA complaint: Structure
2003 INFINITI M45 WITH APPROXIMATELY 106,000 MILES. CAR WILL STALL SUDDENLY AT HIGHWAY OR CITY ROAD SPEEDS NECESSITATING PUTTING CAR INTO NEUTRAL OR PULLING OVER TO RESTART. PREVIOUSLY, AFTER THIS HAD HAPPENED, A CODE
NHTSA complaint: Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 INFINITI M45. WHILE STATIONARY AND WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS,THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. THE CONTAC
NHTSA complaint: Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 INFINITI M45. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS
NHTSA complaint: Engine
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2003 Infiniti M45. 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.
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003-2004 INFINITI M45 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 7, 2002, THROUGH JUNE 3, 2004. DUE TO A CIRCUIT BOARD FAILURE, THE FUEL GAUGE MAY READ A FUEL LEVEL HIGHER THAN ACTUALLY EXISTS. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE MAY RUN OUT OF GAS WITHOUT NOTICE.
Risk: THE VEHICLE MAY STALL WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE CIRCUIT BOARD FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-647-7261.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR OR CAM POSITION SENSOR MAY HAVE AN IMPROPER SOLDER JOINT DUE TO SOLDER DEFORMATION CAUSED BY HEAT STRESS ACCELERATED BY THE EXISTENCE OF FLUX RESIDUE DURING THE SOLDERING PROCESS.
Risk: THIS COULD CAUSE THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON, CREATE A NO START CONDITION, CAUSE REDUCED ENGINE POWER, OR CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING DURING VEHICLE OPERATI
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRANK POSITION SENSORS. CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR(S), AND IN SOME CASES, THE VARIABLE TIMING CONTROL SENSOR(S). VEHICLES INVOLVED IN A PREVIOUS RECALL CAMPAIGN, 01V357, ARE A
| Reliability raw | 67 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 70 | good |
| Maintenance | 61 | average |
| Depreciation | 52 | average |
| Performance | 69 | good |
| Efficiency | 32 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 131 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and fuel system is the most reported area with 43 of them (33%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 67/100 (good) 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 70/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2003 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 61/100. 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.