Recall: 2003-2004 Infiniti M45

[Kompresshun]

It was announced earlier today that Nissan has issued a recall on the 2003-2004 Infiniti M45 for a potential issue with the fuel gauge.

Here's the press release:

Report Date: March 13, 2012 at 10:52 AM
NHTSA Campaign ID number: 12V088000

Vehicle Make / Model: INFINITI / M45
Model Year(s): 2003-2004
Manufacturer: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Mfr's Report Date: MAR 05, 2012
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 12V088000
NHTSA Action Number: PE11038

Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Potential Number of Units Affected: 8,120

Summary:
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.

Consequence:
THE VEHICLE MAY STALL WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy:
NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE CIRCUIT BOARD FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN MID-APRIL 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-647-7261.

Notes:
CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

[06M4.5]

Great news

[sergio1987]

Great news

its for the 1st generation Ms not 06...

[SteveTheTech]

There has already been a recall on that connector that dates back to 2009. I don't know what the significance of this is. Maybe it is to get those who missed the first go round.

A quick look under the front seats will show you if the connector has been modified. If the connector is not on the bottom of the bracket attached to the seat plastic trim, but is on top of the connector (facing the seat bottom). The repair has already been completed.

[06M4.5]

Great news

its for the 1st generation Ms not 06...

Yes I know and it's about time.

[myother45isalesbaer]

Great news! So far I have not had a fuel gauge problem so I wondering should I let them mess with it or not? I wish they would recall and fix the dang issue I am having with the TPMS telling me I have a flat and all the reading going to *.*. Does anyone know if these two issues are related?

[Double E]

Not related. But...when you get the recall done, ask if the dealer will reset the TPMS for you.

[Bote1]

When are they actually going to recall the Y34 for the fuel gauge issue? Has anyone received any recall letters for the problem? Thanks.

[SoThrowedMex]

There has already been a recall on that connector that dates back to 2009. I don't know what the significance of this is. Maybe it is to get those who missed the first go round.

A quick look under the front seats will show you if the connector has been modified. If the connector is not on the bottom of the bracket attached to the seat plastic trim, but is on top of the connector (facing the seat bottom). The repair has already been completed.

What? That is very confusing to understand. You said front seats? YOu mean under both? Or just the drivers? What connector?

Any pics?

[shak77]

When are they actually going to recall the Y34 for the fuel gauge issue? Has anyone received any recall letters for the problem? Thanks.

Got the letter in the mail.

[lswaidz]

Is this service required to be performed at an Infiniti dealer or will Nissan dealers be able to perform the work as well? I really don't want to have to take a vacation day to get my car fixed (have to drive 2 1/2 hours to Chicago from Peoria).

[sebvox]

A phone call to the Nissan dealership will solve your dilemma.

[SoThrowedMex]

A phone call to the Nissan dealership will solve your dilemma.

I just called an infiniti dealer close to me. Dropped mine off today. Was a quick process. I got there, pulled up to service ramp, they walked my car, got the VIN, asked me to follow them inside to fill out some papers, got my dl & insurance, then put me in a 2012 G37 which I do not like compared to my M45. For real. But oh well, it was pretty smooth. Was in & out in less than 15 mins.

[lswaidz]

Wow... I was just told by a service department that they don't offer recall service on Friday's.

This is ridiculous. Nissan says they're not authorized to do the repair. Guess I'll be taking a vacation day, at my own expense, to repair a defect in my vehicle :-(

I'm thinking it's about time to sell this car.

[Bote1]

So ThrowedMex: Which dealership did you use? Did you have to bring recall letter? I haven't received mine. Did you have to schedule service with them?

[MIG_45]

Just today i did a schedule appointment on the recall somehow they did have my vin number on there record so the service consultant had to call the Headquarters to see what was the problem. They told him they would send he information so they canceled my appointment and they cant touch my vehicle until they received it. so i recommend you call the infinity help line to see if they prepare your information when you take your vehicle for the repair and also have the recall paper you receive by mail to show proof. i hope this helps u out and good luck!!!!

[sebvox]

If you haven't received the letter in the mail regarding the recall, call Nissan NA at 1-800-662-6200. Most likely, you bought the car used and your information is not updated in their system.

I took my car in yesterday for the scheduled recall appointment, got the loaner G37, and then got my car back today. The fuel gauge works, which is nice for a change. I had the service tech give me a copy of recall campaign #R1208 because I wanted to know exactly what the fix was. Apparently, they replace the back of the gauge cluster (aka combination meter) with a new back that includes a "sub-amplifier" and a new jumper harness. They also add some protective padding inside the cluster cavity. It is not explained what the sub-amplifier actually does but it works.

[SarasotaM45]

I paid Infiniti of Tampa to fix mine 4 years ago and now its messing up again. I got the recall notice last week. Wonder if they'll reimburse me for the previous repair... doubt it.

[sebvox]

The letter states that they will reimburse you for prior repairs. Regardless, they should give you your money back since it didn't work. Do you know what they did to supposedly fix it the first time?

[MaxBolus]

betcha they just replaced the cluster with new one that still had the original defect. I hope they do reimburse you for that!
But I noticed the language in the recall letter said something like "you MAY be reimbursed", so good luck!

[SoThrowedMex]

So ThrowedMex: Which dealership did you use? Did you have to bring recall letter? I haven't received mine. Did you have to schedule service with them?

Sorry for the late response. I didnt have a recall letter. I just called the infiniti number, they asked for vin, then they said for me to take it to a local dealer here in Houston. I took it to Sewell Infiniti. Yes, I had to schedule with them.

[SarasotaM45]

The letter states that they will reimburse you for prior repairs. Regardless, they should give you your money back since it didn't work. Do you know what they did to supposedly fix it the first time?

Yep, they replaced the entire cluster.

[candymanfb]

You should get a refund of your original repair and a fix for your current problem. They could have replaced the original cluster with a unit that didnt resolve the "problem" of this recall.
I'll be contacting them regarding my reimbursement this week. I didn't want to complicate things by doing them at the same time.

The cost of a cluster isnt cheap and if they give you any problems with a refund - the NHTSA may like to hear about.

Good luck!

The letter states that they will reimburse you for prior repairs. Regardless, they should give you your money back since it didn't work. Do you know what they did to supposedly fix it the first time?

Yep, they replaced the entire cluster.

[candymanfb]

I got my reimburement check from Infinit regarding the cost of failed diagnosis.
The rep said it may take a few weeks, but it was about a week and a half.