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Research · Midsize Cars

1996 Infiniti Q45Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 7 owner complaints for the 1996 Infiniti Q45. Most complaints involve air bags (2) and seats (1). The EPA rates it 17 mpg combined.

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Combined MPG
17mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
7
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$4,700est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 1996 Infiniti Q45 as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

7 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 1996 – Jun 2002
  1. Air bags2
  2. Seats1
  3. Visibility1
  4. Suspension1
  5. Exterior lighting1
  6. Other / unknown1

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 Q45 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
19967
199712
199814
19999
20009
20014
200222
200314
20047
20054
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

2 reports
“AIR BAG ECM FAILED CAUSING INDICATOR TO FLASH.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 4, 1997Air bagsODI 604757

Seats

1 report
“CONSUMER WAS INSIDE OF GARAGE AND VEHICLE WAS PARKED. HE WENT TO TURN ON VEHICLE, AND DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT FLIPPED UP, CAUSING CONSUMER TO BE TRAPPED UNTIL HIS WIFE CAME OUT TO RELEASE HIM. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, MECHANIC TOLD HER THAT SEAT MODULAR MEMORY WAS ERASED FROM MEMORY BANK.*AK THE CONSUMER STATES THAT ERASING OF SEAT MODULAR MEMORY COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF IT HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. *YH”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 16, 2001SeatsODI 878268

Visibility

1 report
“POWER WINDOW FAILED CAUSING IT NOT TO GO UP OR DOWN.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 27, 1997VisibilityODI 604947
Send a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
4.5L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Rear-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 30, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Q45
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152017$4,700523
  • Q45
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.5 L
    15 city · 20 hwy · $4,700/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1996 Infiniti Q45 as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026
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

1996 Q45 questions

How many recalls does the 1996 Infiniti Q45 have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Oct 30, 2026.

What are the most common 1996 Infiniti Q45 problems?

Owners filed 7 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (2), seats (1), visibility (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1996 Infiniti Q45 get?

The EPA rates the 1996 Infiniti Q45 at 17 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026