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 43 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 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 | 19 | 44% |
| Fuel system | 6 | 14% |
| Engine | 5 | 12% |
| Seats | 3 | 7% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 5% |
| Fuel system | 2 | 5% |
| Air bags | 2 | 5% |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 2% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 INFINITI M45. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE ENGINE STALLED, AND ALL OF THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN
NHTSA complaint: Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 INFINITI M45. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND FAILED TO RESTART. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO P
NHTSA complaint: Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 INFINITI M45. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED O
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 INFINITI M45. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED SPUTTERING BEFORE STALLING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED AND MOMEN
NHTSA complaint: Engine
FRAME ON DRIVERS SEAT BROKEN CAUSING SEAT TO LIST TO THE LEFT SIDE. PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED BY DEALER WHO INFORMED US AT THE TIME THAT IT COULD NOT BE REPAIRED AGAIN, IT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT AT COST OF APPROX $1800.0
NHTSA complaint: Seats
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 INFINITI M45. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE VDC, ENGINE, AND SEATBELT LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND CHANGED THE BATTERY A
NHTSA complaint: Engine
THE FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED ON JUNE 3RD DRIVING TO WORK AND THE CAR JUST GAVE OUT. IT STALLED, LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASHBOARD AND CAR DIED. I WAS ABLE TO DRIFT TO A SIDE STREET IN WHICH I TRIED TO START THE CAR AGAIN; HO
NHTSA complaint: Engine
WENT TO SIT IN CAR AND HEARD A LOUD POP AS I SAT. SEAT WAS THEN SHAKY AND UNSTABLE. FURTHER INSPECTION REVEALED THE SEAT WAS LOOSE OR BROKEN ON THE LEFT SIDE. TOOK CAR TO INFINITI WHERE I WAS TOLD THE SEAT CAME OUT OF
NHTSA complaint: Seats
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2004 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 BRAKE LAMP SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION.
Risk: IF THIS OCCURS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE IS APPLIED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 25, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
| Reliability raw | 84 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 78 | 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 43 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and fuel system is the most reported area with 19 of them (44%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 84/100 (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 78/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2004 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.