Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD

2003 Infiniti FX45Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls and 27 owner complaints for the 2003 Infiniti FX45. Most complaints involve exterior lighting (6) and air bags (5). The EPA rates it 15 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
15mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
9campaigns
Latest Jan 2020
Owner complaints
27
Top: exterior lighting
Fuel cost / yr
$5,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

9 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback, 2001-2004 Infiniti I30 and I35, 2002-2003 Inifiniti QX4, 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 and 2006-2010 M35 and M45 vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated, frontal passenger air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jan 9, 2020NHTSA 20V008000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45, 2003-2004 Infiniti I35, 2006-2010 Infiniti M35 and M45, and 2007-2011 Nissan Versa vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Nissan is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45, 2003-2004 Infiniti I35, 2006-2008 Infiniti M35 and M45, and 2007-2008 Nissan Versa vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Nissan is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Infiniti I35 vehicles originally sold, or registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported May 24, 2016NHTSA 16V349000

Air bags

Free remedy

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2001-2003 Nissan Maxima, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4 and I35, 2003 FX35 and FX45, and 2001 I30 vehicles. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Air bagsReported May 15, 2015NHTSA 15V287000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

27 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2003 – Sep 2020
  1. Exterior lighting6
  2. Air bags5
  3. Power train4
  4. Structure4
  5. Fuel system, gasoline3
  6. Fuel/propulsion system2
  7. Service brakes, hydraulic2
  8. Latches/locks/linkages1
  9. Steering1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each FX45 model year we’ve synced.

Only one model year synced so far.

Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Exterior lighting

6 reports
“HELLO! MY NAME IS [XXX]. I OWNER OF INFINITI FX45 2003 [XXX] AND ACCORDING TO VINRCL.SAFERCAR.GOV/VIN/ I HAVE SEVERAL INCOMPLETE DEFECTS IN MY CAR. COULD YOU PLEASE CHECK THIS AND SUPPORT ME WITH PARTS REPLACEMENT? THANK YOU IN ADVANCE! I CONTACTED A DEALERSHIP IN RUSSIA, NO ACTION ON MY APPEAL HAPPENED. THEY DON'T DO ANYTHING. PLEASE HELP, I AM WORRIED ABOUT MY OWN SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF OTHER PEOPLE.RUSSIA CANNOT BE SELECTED IN YOUR FORM. SORRY FOR THE INACCURATE INFORMATION *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 30, 2020Exterior lighting, Air bags, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11361941

Air bags

5 reports1 crash
“ALL THE LIGHTS ARE SWEATING, POOR VISIBILITY. ACCORDING TO: NUMBER OF REVIEWS ON HTSA: 06V-328 REVIEW DATE: ABRYCT 3 2006 NUMBER REVOCATION MANUFACTURER: R0608 SUMMARY DURING CANADIAN COMPLIANCE TESTING SOME SPECIAL VEHICLES SPORTS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR FEDERAL STANDARD SAFETY CAR. 108, “LAMPS, REFLECTED DEVICES AND RELATED EQUIPMENT” HEAD LAMP CHARGES DO NOT CORRESPOND TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF PHOTOMETRIC VALUES OF THE HEAD LAMP REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD RED CARD REACT HEAT HAZE RIGHT HYRECE RIGHT HYRECE REACTOR HYRECRANIOR REACTOR HYRELECTRICANTS ONLY HYRES TO HAVE ON RIGHT HYRECTS ON RIGHT HARDWARE RIGHT HARDWARE RIGHT HYRECE HYRES, RIGHT TO HAVE RIGHT TO HAVE RIGHT TO HAVE RIGHT TO HAVE ITES, RIGHT HEATS, RIGHT HYRECTS, RIGHT HYRECE REQUIREMENTS, RIGHT HYRECTS, RIGHT HYRECTS, RIGHT HYRECTS, RIGHT HYRECE, RIGHT HYRECTS, RIGHT HYRECTS, RIGHT HYRECTS, RIGHT HYRECTS, RED CARDS, RADIATED DEVICES, 108 I DEMAND REPLACEMENT ACCORDING TO THE NON-CONFORMITY REGULATIONS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 17, 2018Exterior lighting, Air bagsODI 11152162

Power train

4 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 INFINITI FX45. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE DRIVESHAFT ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE SHAFT BOLT SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE DRIVESHAFT NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 25, 2017Power trainODI 10947673
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
4.5L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S5)
Drive
4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
FX45 AWD
Auto (S5), 8 cyl, 4.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131815$5,300592
  • FX45 AWD
    Auto (S5), 8 cyl, 4.5 L
    13 city · 18 hwy · $5,300/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Infiniti FX45 as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 4892
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2003 FX45 questions

How many recalls does the 2003 Infiniti FX45 have?

9 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2003 Infiniti FX45 problems?

Owners filed 27 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are exterior lighting (6), air bags (5), power train (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2003 Infiniti FX45 get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Infiniti FX45 at 15 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026