Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Infiniti M45 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
This complaint relates to a 2004 infinity M45. In the spring of 2010, I noticed that the fuel gauge was showing nearly a full tank of gas, but it had been a long period of time before I had put gas in the tank. When I filled up the tank, I realized that the tank was nearly empty. Since that time, the fuel gauge has not worked. Shortly after that time the "check engine" light illuminated. I've taken the vehicle to the dealership several times. They have replaced several sensors. Finally, they concluded that the instrument cluster is bad and needs to be replaced, a costly repair. Running out of fuel on a busy interstate is a danger, and something that must be fixed. Moreover, the vehicle will not pass state inspection with an illuminated "check engine" light. …
This car died on me on the highway when the fuel gauge said that I had a 3/4 tank of gas remaining. The car started sputtering like it had run out of gas so we added gas and it started right up. I drove it to a local Infiniti dealership right away. They diagnosed the problem as in instrument cluster, which shocked me as I have never heard of an instrument cluster being responsible for a car running out of gas. I searched some online forums only to discover that there were hundreds of other people who had the same problem. Had the fuel sending unit or furl pump went out, that would be understandable, but the instrument cluster going bad could have been very dangerous. Since the cluster controls mileage and all the warning lights such as check engine lights, this was very scary. …
This complaint relates to a 2004 infinity M45. In the summer of 2009, I noticed that the fuel gauge was showing nearly a full tank of gas, but I that was incorrect because I had not put any gasoline in it in over 3 days. The next day as I was traveling over a very busy bridge in tampa, fl, my vehicle sputtered to a stop. Since that time, the fuel gauge has not worked correctly. Shortly after that time the "check engine" light illuminated. I took my vehicle to be checked out and was advised that the repair would cost in excess of $1,000.00. My vehicle was just outside of the 60,000 mile warranty so I went online to Infiniti's website to seek assistance but never got a reply after numerous attempts and pleas for assistance. One would think that a manufacturer such as Infiniti would take better care of it's customers. …
While driving vehicle the fuel gauge and fuel remaining computer showed a significant amount of fuel left, almost half a tank. After a couple of minutes of driving the car sputtered and stalled. I pulled over and tried cranking the motor. After several failed attempts I noticed that the fuel gauge was now settled on empty. Checked the computer and it showed 0 miles till empty. Luckily my wife was able to bring me the gas for the lawnmower. This has happened several times since this initial incident. A couple times with just my wife and children in the car. Fortunately my wife's commute involves streets and avenues and no freeways or highways. I've communicated my issues on forums and blogs, turns out this is a common problem, and so far nothing has been done by Infiniti to address this. The fix comes at a ridiculous price, dealer wants to change out gauge cluster, upwards of $1,000. …
As a follow-up to an earlier post (odi id number: 10369584) I took my vehicle to the Infiniti dealer in roswell georgia and when looked at by competent technicians who actually broke down the vehicle, it was determined that I have a faulty gauge cluster (expensive but the guys here know their stuff, are thorough, and know a bit about customer service). Even after being properly diagnosed Infiniti consumer affairs (ica) still refused to compensate (wish they had just told me that in the first place). The most infuriating thing is that ica acts as if they never heard of this problem before... Do they not have access to the internet. …
My fuel gauge read 1/3 of a tank and I ran out of gas. I bought the car used in approximately jan 2009 and I bought an extended complete powertrain warranty. They initially thought it was my float mechanism in the gas tank but finally realized it was the dash and replaced it under warranty ($50 deductible applied). My warranty expired a few miles ago (car has 90500 miles on it now) and I have begun to notice the problem again. Currently I fill up after the trip odometer reaches 300 miles driven on a tank because while the gauge appears to work accurately, once it reaches 1/4 of tank left, it begins to rise and will go as high as 3/4 full. Sometimes turning the car off and then back on will reset it but it will soon begin to rise again. Very annoying and according to the dealer the dash costs $900+ (in 2009). Ramsey Infiniti of ramsey nj did the work in 2009.
On February 28, 2010, my 2004 infinity M45 gas gauge read that I had a little over a 1/4 tank of gas. As was driving down mathilda avenue in sunnyvale I began to notice that my vehicle was sputtering. I managed to get onto el camino real and luckily was able to pull over. Unfortunately, I coasted to the right curb in a bus stop area. I was very lucky that I was not hit by another vehicle as my vehicle was barely able to coast to the curb. My husband arrived with a gas can and poured gas into the fuel tank and the car started. I called the frontier infinity in santa clara, calif. Where I bought the car and explained the situation. They responded that they couldn't do anything about it since my car model was not on the recall list.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Infiniti M45. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the fuel level gauge displayed a gasoline level reading of one half full yet the vehicle stalled due to lack of fuel. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer and the dealer stated that the fuel gauge would need to be replaced. The manufacturer stated that since the vehicle was no longer under warranty, the contact was responsible for the repairs. The contact noticed numerous complaints regarding the defective fuel gauge online but the manufacturer had not issued a recall. The contact stated that the vehicle was not driven due to the defective fuel gauge. The failure mileage was 73,500.
Tl*- the contact owns a 2004 Infiniti M45. The contact observed while driving approximately 45 MPH the fuel gauge displayed an incorrect reading which indicated the fuel tank level was full. However, the fuel tank consumption was half of the fuel level capacity. Additionally, the fuel gauge displayed an inaccurate reading that the fuel tank was empty. The failure occurrences fluctuated at any speed. The vehicle was then taken to dealer for diagnostic test. The failure was contributed to the fuel gauge assembly. There had been no repairs to the vehicle at the time of the complaint . The failure mileage was 58,000. The current mileage was 80,000.
My 2004 Infiniti M45's fuel gauge reads at or above tank of gas when there is no fuel resulting in a stall. Problem started at around 59K miles but was out of warranty due to age. I currently have 72K miles on the car and have to reset the trip counter as the fuel gauge is useless. The Infiniti dealer in gwinnett county georgia had the car twice but was unable to diagnose the problem. Infiniti consumer affairs has refused any assistance because the dealer can't identify the root cause. From my research my best guess would be the gauge cluster, a very costly repair. Updated 01/28/11 updated 03/18/11
Related recalls
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.
NHTSA investigations
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).
Fuel System complaints in other M45 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2004 Infiniti M45?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2004 Infiniti M45, 67% of the model year's 43 complaints. The component named most often is storage › fuel gauge system (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Infiniti M45 fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 12V-088 (fuel system, gasoline, Mar 6, 2012). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2004 Infiniti M45 fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 74,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 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.