InfinitiM452003Overview/infiniti/m45/2003/base/

2003 Infiniti M45

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2003 M45.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S5)

The 2003 Infiniti M45 is a passenger car fitted with an Automatic (S5) five-speed transmission, and routine engine service calls for 5.9 quarts of 5W-30 API SL oil. EPA fuel-economy ratings are 16 mpg city, 22 mpg highway, and 18 mpg combined. In the model's reliability record, this model year stands out with 131 owner complaints, the Fuel System, Gasoline category being the most reported problem area, and two recalls on file. Those details make the 2003 M45 a useful reference point for researchers tracing where owner-reported issues first clustered in the lineup.

Model year20042003

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.9 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 API SLOEM · verified
Lug nut torque80 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy16/22/18 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24 · 585 CCA battery, OE oil filter 152089E01A. Note the factory front wiper blades is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. 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.

Battery groupBCI 24 · 585 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size235-45R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter152089E01A
Engine air filter16546AR000
Fuel filter1640041B1A
Spark plug224015M014 alt 224015M016
Front wiper blades28890CR900 discontinued · alt 28890CR905
Thermostat212001LA1A alt 212306N20A
Cabin air filter27277VX00A

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S5)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length197.2 in
Overall width70.1 in
Overall height57.5 in
Wheelbase110.2 in
Curb weight3882 lb
Track (front / rear)59.4 / 59.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)55/45

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 22 / 18 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume91 cu ft
Cargo volume13 cu ft
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5.9 qt of 5W-30 API SL engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-7-3-6-5-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.4 Pints
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.1 Pints
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.9 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts80 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub181 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub177 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-8-7-3-6-5-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Spark Plug Gap0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque18.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing17, Not adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance5 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.32 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity6.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24
Standard BCI Cranking Performance585 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief11-14 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)43.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)34.0 psi
Engine Compression164-191 PSI. 14 maximum variation PSI.
Engine Oil Pressure14
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket102-122 ft-lbs / 25-30 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle72-87 ft-lbs / 29-37 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0028 in / 0.0039 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.1 in / 0.63 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.1 in / 0.63 in
Rotor Minimum Machining1.024 in / 0.55 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
165-72 ft. lbs., step 2: 90-9665–72 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages
172.0 ft. lbs.72 ft. lbs
2Loosen all bolts completely in order.
326.0-32.0 ft. lbs.26–32 ft. lbs
490-95 degrees90–95 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 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.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
At 60,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 105,000 miSpark 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 2003 Infiniti M45 recorded 131 complaints, 2 recalls, 3 investigations, and 67 technical service bulletins (TSBs). In the following model year, 2004, complaints fell sharply to 43 while recalls and investigations remained unchanged at 2 and 3, and TSBs decreased to 55. No crash‑ or fire‑related complaints were reported for either year. Because the JSON provides no data for years prior to 2003, a longer‑term trend across the generation cannot be established, but the drop from 2003 to 2004 suggests an improvement in reported issues after the initial model year. Consequently, based solely on the available federal‑record numbers, the 2003 model exhibits a higher incidence of complaints and TSBs than the 2004 model, indicating it may be a less favorable year to purchase if other factors are equal.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
67
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
131
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 131 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Fuel System, Gasoline43
Engine15
Engine & Engine Cooling13
Fuel System, Gasoline,Electrical System13
Fuel System, Other6
Fuel/Propulsion System4
Air Bags3
Seats3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

12V088000Fuel System, GasolineReported 06/03/2012

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… 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…

03V455000Engine And Engine CoolingReported 17/11/2003

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR OR CAM POSITION SENSOR MAY HAVE AN IMPROPER SOLDER JOINT DUE TO SOLDER DEFORMATION CAUSED BY HEAT STRESS ACCELERATED BY THE EXISTENCE OF… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRANK POSITION SENSORS. CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR(S), AND IN SOME CASES, THE VARIABLE TIMING CONTROL SENSOR(S). VEHICLES INVOLVED IN A PREVIOUS RECALL…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 67 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
ITB09-063C2026-04-13StructureCERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
ITB13-052E2024-05-20Electrical SystemINTELLIGENT KEY NOT DETECTED / ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See…
ITB17-009H2024-04-29Visibility/WiperWINDOW GLASS WARRANTY INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY…
ITB13-007I2024-04-29Visibility/WiperREMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See…
ITB09-039K2024-04-29Visibility/WiperWINDSHIELD CRACKING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last…

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 M45. 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 2003 M45 take?

5.9 qt of 5W-30 API SL, per the factory manual.

Does the 2003 M45 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the M45 get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined mpg.