InfinitiQ451994Overview/infiniti/q45/1994/base/

1994 Infiniti Q45

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1994 Q45.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1994 Infiniti Q45 pairs an automatic 4-speed transmission with a powertrain requiring 6.3 quarts of 5W-30 or 10W-30 API SM oil to achieve EPA fuel economy estimates of 15/20/17 mpg. Within the model's 1990–2006 span, this model year occupies a moderate reliability tier, logging 36 total owner complaints and zero recalls. This positions the 1994 Q45 well above the low of just two complaints seen in 1993, yet below the 47 complaints of the 1991 model, meaning the vehicle represents a middle ground for the nameplate's dependability with the electrical system serving as the primary area of concern.

Model year200620052004200320022001199919981994

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.3 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 / 10W-30 API SMOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy15/20/17 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 1520855Y0A. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter1520855Y0A
Engine air filter165461P100
Fuel filter1640041B1A
Spark plug224011P115 alt 224011P117
Front wiper blades2889060U65 alt B889051P00
Serpentine belt1192066US1VW alt 1195060US5VW
Thermostat2120060U02

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length200 in
Overall width72 in
Overall height56.3 in
Wheelbase113.4 in
Curb weight4083 lb
Track (front / rear)61.8 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)58/42

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined15 / 20 / 17 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume95 cu ft
Cargo volume15 cu ft
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Q45 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.20 sec — 1994 t Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1994t Sedan 4.5L V88.20 sec16.30 sec278 hpRWD
1995a Sedan (Full-Active Suspension) 4.5L V87.80 sec16.10 sec278 hpRWD
1995t Sedan 4.5L V87.90 sec16.20 sec278 hpRWD
1991t Sedan 4.5L V87.30 sec15.60 sec278 hpRWD
1990Sedan 4.5L V86.90 sec15.40 sec278 hpRWD
1990Sedan 4.5L V87.20 sec15.30 sec278 hpRWD
1990Sedan 4.5L V87.90 sec15.80 sec278 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.3 qt of 5W-30 / 10W-30 API SM engine oil, 75W-90 · 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · 80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.1 Pints
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-30 · 10W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity6.3 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 7,500 miEngine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 7,500 miBattery (inspect electrolyte level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miActive Suspension System (drain & refill) · Spark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1994 model year represents a sharp anomaly within the first-generation Q45 federal record, with complaints surging to 36 from just 2 in 1993 and then falling to 8 in 1995, while recalls remained at zero across that entire 1993-1996 interval. Within the broader 1990-2006 arc, the first generation peaked at 47 complaints and 2 recalls in 1991 before declining; 1994 interrupts that downward trend with the second-highest complaint volume of the generation despite no accompanying recalls or investigations. The data identifies Electrical System and Air Bags as the two most frequently cited complaint areas for 1994, though the federal record does not specify root causes, and the year also logged 11 crash-related and 4 fire-related complaints. Because 1994 combines a zero-recall profile with a pronounced complaint spike that subsequently dissipated in 1995 and 1996, it suggests a year of elevated owner-reported friction without corresponding manufacturer or regulatory action. Given that the 1994 model sits at a volatile midpoint—better than the 1991 peak but notably worse than the bookending 1993 and 1995 years—buyers should approach it cautiously and prioritize documented maintenance history over the adjacent model years.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
27
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
36
Owner complaints
11 involved a crash · 4 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 36 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System8
Air Bags7
Fuel System, Gasoline4
Suspension,Engine & Engine Cooling,Fuel System, Gasoline,Power Train2
Vehicle Speed Control2
Air Bags,Seat Belts1
Visibility1
Electrical System,Air Bags1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 27 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
ITB13-007H2023-02-27StructureREMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See…
ITB09-039J2023-02-27VisibilityWINDSHIELD CRACKING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last…
ITB10-067C2023-02-22WheelsWHEEL BEARING COLLISION DAMAGE This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on…
ITB16-006A2021-03-24Electrical SystemINFINITI; FRONT SONAR PARKING SENSOR SERVICE INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended…
ITB19-0082019-04-02EquipmentEXTERIOR CLEANING INFORMATION SERVICE INFORMATION When cleaning the exterior of an…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Q45. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1994 Q45 take?

6.3 qt of 5W-30 OR 10W-30 API SM, per the factory manual.

Does the 1994 Q45 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Q45 get?

EPA figures are 15 city / 20 highway / 17 combined mpg.