2018 Infiniti Q50 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
43 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
24,400 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 18 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 17 of 43 complaints (39.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 4 | 9.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 9.3% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 4.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 17 |
| Air Bags | 8 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 6 |
| Unknown Or Other | 6 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Wheels | 3 |
| Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera | 2 |
Engine: 17; Air Bags: 8; Fuel/Propulsion System: 6; Unknown Or Other: 6; Electrical System: 5; Power Train: 3; Wheels: 3; Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 9 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 9; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 25 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 10 |
| 2026 | 5 |
2018: 6; 2019: 5; 2020: 5; 2022: 1; 2023: 6; 2024: 5; 2025: 10; 2026: 5
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11351917 · 2020-08-28 (August 28, 2020)
ON 6/13/2020 THE DRIVE BELT SHREDDED WHILE DRIVING UNDER 30MPH, UNDER LIGHT ACCELERATION. AT FIRST, THE BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, FOLLOWED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. WHITE SMOKE BEGAN TO COME FROM THE ENGINE. THANKFULLY, I WAS NEARBY MY HOUSE AND MADE IT THERE SAFELY. FURTHERMORE, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED DUE TO A COOLANT HOSE BEING KNOCKED OFF BY THE SHREDDED BELT. ADDITIONALLY, THE WATER PUMP AND A/C COMPRESSOR FAILED. THE PULLEY TENSIONER ASSEMBLY AND BELT WERE REPLACED UNDER MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY, ALONG WITH THE AFOR…
Owner-reported narrative. 8,660 miles reported. Look up ODI 11351917 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11513781 · 2023-03-25 (March 25, 2023)
2/1/2023 we took our 2018 Q50 to the Infiniti dealership and service center. The engine was having issues, increased RPMs while simultaneously experiencing loss of power/stalling. This was experienced by both my wife and I. Infiniti's determination was the Mass Air Flow Sensor and told us the issue was not covered by the platinum, bumper to bumper extended warranty they sold us due to the warranty only covering mechanical issues, not electrical. The service tech was able to get costs waived as factory warranty covered such events to 75k mile…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11513781 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11292527 · 2020-01-02 (January 2, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 INFINITI Q50. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BACK-UP SCREEN WOULD NOT DISPLAY WHILE THE GEAR WAS IN REVERSE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. NISSAN OF ATHENS (4735 ATLANTA HWY, ATHENS, GA) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V654000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11292527 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11193000 · 2019-04-01 (April 1, 2019)
AS I WAS PARKING THE VEHICLE AT 5MPH BEHIND A PARKED CAR, WITH THE FRONT TIRES SLIGHTLY TURNED TO THE LEFT, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. RESULTING IN HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT AND PUSHING IT OUT OF THE WAY, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED MOVING DESPITE HAVING THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED TO THE LIMIT, THE ENGINE WAS REVVING VERY HIGH. THE VEHICLE CROSSED THE MEDIAN AND CAME TO A STOP ON THE OPPOSITE TRAVEL LANE OF THE STREET AFTER THE ENGINE WENT TO IDLE SPEED. THE DEALER SUGGESTED TO C…
Owner-reported narrative. 8,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 11193000 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11693654 · 2025-10-15 (October 15, 2025)
The contact's son owns a 2018 Infiniti Q50. The contact stated that soon after purchasing the vehicle, there was an abnormal screeching sound coming from the brakes while depressing the brake pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact's son took the vehicle to an independent mechanic to have the brake pads and rotors replaced. However, less than one month after the replacement of the pads and rotors, there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the front passenger’s side brakes. The mechanic was notified of the issue, and t…
Owner-reported narrative. 88,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11693654 at NHTSA ↗