Most common 2003 Infiniti M45 problems
Share of the 129 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Infiniti M45 complaints by model year
Best M45 years: 2010, 2009, 2008. Years to avoid: 2003, 2006, 2004. Compare all years →
2003 Infiniti M45 recalls (2)
Fuel system, gasoline
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.
Remedy: 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.
Engine and engine cooling
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the crank position sensors. Camshaft position sensor(s), and in some cases, the variable timing control sensor(s).
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 3 possible defects involving the 2003 Infiniti M45:
Fuel level gauge system failure
In a March 5, 2012 letter to NHTSA, Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) submitted a Defect Information Report identifying a defect in the combination meter circuit board in approximately 8,120 model year 2003 through 2004 Infiniti M45 vehicles manufactured from March 7, 2002 through June 3, 2004 (Recall No. 12V-088).
Side air bag non-deployment
The subject vehicles are equipped with seat-mounted, side torso air bags for the driver and front passenger.this investigation has revealed that faulty side air bag module connectors located under the front seats can cause an interruption in the electrical current that will drop the input voltage below the specified range.as a result, the air bag warning lamp illuminates and the affected side air bag is…
Non-deployment of Side Thorax Air Bags
The subject vehicles are equipped with seat-mounted, side thorax air bags for the driver and front passenger.This investigation revealed that faulty side air bag module electrical connectors located under the driver and front passenger seats can cause an interruption in the electrical circuit that will drop the input voltage below the specified range.As a result, the air bag warning lamp illuminates on the…
What 2003 Infiniti M45 owners say
Fuel & propulsion system all 78 →
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 several times to a dealer and independent mechanic however, the fuel gauge sensor could not be replaced. Additionally, on one occasion, the vehicle was steered to the side of the road where the vehicle was refueled. The vehicle was restarted but the failure persisted. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel filter needed to be replaced and the fuel gauge sensor needed to be cleaned. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
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 contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road and was able to restart the vehicle. On another occasion, the contact stated that the engine indicator illuminated and "check your fuel cap" displayed on the instrument panel. A dealer and the manufacturer were not made aware of the failures. The contact cited NHTSA campaign number: 03V455000 (engine and engine cooling) as a possible cause of the failures, as reported by a code reader. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Engine & cooling all 40 →
While leaving an entrance ramp to merge onto the interstate, the vehicle suffered a complete and total engine power loss along with its power steering and power braking functions. After this failure, the vehicle would crank but not start, leaving it stranded. There is currently a recall in place for the vehicle's make, model, and model year (recall #03V455000), however I was told by both the dealership and Infiniti that the vehicle was not covered under that recall because the part in question was made by a different manufacturer than what was included under the existing recall. The summary and consequences of this failure align exactly with that of the existing recall. It is evident that the safety hazard exists beyond the scope of the original recall and the purpose of this complaint is to address that deficiency.
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 for faulty crankshaft position sensor was recovered, and both the crankshaft and camshaft position sensors were replaced with aftermarket new parts from duralast. Car no longer has a check engine light code associated with the stalling, but the stalling persists. Also, when car is cooled to ambient temperature, it May take 2-3 ignition attempts to start the car and occasionally a backfire/misfire is heard during failed attempts. If car has sat for multiple days without being driven, it May take 10-15 attempts to start the vehicle.
Electrical system all 22 →
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Infiniti M45. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled after the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician stated there was a failure in the crank shaft position sensor. No repairs were made to the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 190,000.
While I was driving this vehicle, it had shut off while I was driving and I lost all power. It started back up like normal. This has happened twice and I'm afraid this could happen while I'm on the highway with my family. I see there was a recall involving this but not for my vehicle. This has happened to me just recently.
2003 Infiniti M45 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.5L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 16 / 22 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2003 Infiniti M45 a good car?
Based on 129 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2003 M45 rates avoid: 8.4× as many complaints as a typical year of the M45 at the same age. It is one of the M45 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Infiniti M45?
The fuel & propulsion system — 78 complaints, 60% of all complaints for this model year, most often about storage › fuel gauge system. Next are the engine & cooling (40) and electrical system (22).
How many recalls does the 2003 Infiniti M45 have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2003 Infiniti M45, the most recent from March 6, 2012 (fuel system, gasoline). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Infiniti M45?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2010, 2009 and 2008. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2003, 2006 and 2004. See the full Infiniti M45 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2003 Infiniti M45 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 96,000 miles; 9% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.