Recall 12V079 affects 1,349 2003-2005 INFINITI Q45 vehicles for side air bag wiring resistance. Repair is free at any franchised INFINITI dealer.
INFINITI is recalling 1,349 2003-2005 Q45 vehicles because a wiring connector for the seat-mounted airbag can develop increased electrical resistance and prevent the side air bags from deploying. If the side air bags do not deploy in a crash, occupants face a higher risk of personal injury, and the INFINITI dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The seat mounted side airbag in the 2003-2005 INFINITI Q45 is built into the seat area and is meant to inflate during a side-impact crash. It works through an electrical circuit: sensors detect the crash, the signal travels through wiring, and the airbag module deploys the bag to help protect the occupant.
On affected Q45 vehicles, the wiring connector for that seat mounted airbag can develop increased electrical resistance. Resistance is the electrical version of a blockage. When it rises too high, the deployment signal does not pass cleanly through the connector, and the side airbag can fail to deploy when it is needed.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem is inside the connector and circuit, so an owner should not expect a sound, smell, or visible change from the seat mounted airbag before the defect matters.
Who's affected?
Spans 3 Q45 model years, all tied to the side air bag system.
| 2005 INFINITI Q45 | side air bag |
|---|---|
| 2003 INFINITI Q45 | side air bag |
| 2004 INFINITI Q45 | side air bag |
| Units affected | 1,349 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific sedan is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the side air bags do not deploy in a crash, occupants face a higher risk of personal injury. Confirm your VIN and ask an INFINITI dealer about the wiring connector repair before assuming your Q45 is clear. Repair will be free at any franchised INFINITI dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2003-2005 INFINITI Q45 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised INFINITI dealer and ask about recall number 12V079 for the seat-mounted side-air-bag wiring connector.
- Schedule the free wiring-connector modification that fixes the high-resistance connection linked to side air bag non-deployment.
- Bring the recall notice if INFINITI mailed one, plus any service records related to the side air bag wiring connector.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, an INFINITI technician modifies the wiring connector for the seat mounted airbag so the side airbag circuit can work as intended. The source remedy says the safety recall began on March 19, 2012, but this section does not list the remedy status as available. The dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under the recall.
Timeline
| February 28, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 19, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V079?
Recall 12V079 covers 1,349 2003-2005 INFINITI Q45 vehicles with a seat-mounted side-airbag wiring connector that can develop higher electrical resistance. That defect can keep the side airbags from deploying in a crash. INFINITI dealers modify the connector for free.
What should I do if my 2003-2005 INFINITI Q45 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Q45 is included in recall 12V079. If it is, call a franchised INFINITI dealer and schedule the wiring-connector modification. Reference recall number 12V079 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and INFINITI dealers modify the seat-mounted side-airbag wiring connector free of charge. Nissan customer service is listed at 1-800-647-7261 for owners who need help with recall questions.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is that the side airbags can fail to deploy when needed. The recall filing says non-deployment of the side airbags increases the risk of personal injury. If your VIN is included, schedule the free connector modification with an INFINITI dealer.
What if I bought my INFINITI Q45 used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2003-2005 Q45 is included, then call a franchised INFINITI dealer and reference recall number 12V079.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V079000 |
|---|---|
| INFINITI customer service | 1-800-647-7261 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V079 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V079000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →