2016 Infiniti Q50: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
39 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
33,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2016 model year. Data snapshot: . 20 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 39 complaints (25.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 4 | 10.3% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 7.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 7.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 5.1% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 5.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.6% |
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 | 10 |
| Electrical System | 8 |
| Steering | 6 |
| Air Bags | 5 |
| Power Train | 4 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 |
| Seat Belts | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 |
Engine: 10; Electrical System: 8; Steering: 6; Air Bags: 5; Power Train: 4; Fuel/Propulsion System: 3; Seat Belts: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 8 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 8; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 19 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 |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 5 |
2016: 2; 2017: 4; 2018: 4; 2019: 1; 2020: 2; 2021: 4; 2022: 2; 2023: 5; 2024: 4; 2025: 6; 2026: 5
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10896091 · 2016-08-15 (August 15, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 INFINITI Q50. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE EVEN THOUGH THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V244000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15…
Owner-reported narrative. 15 miles reported. Look up ODI 10896091 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10938919 · 2016-12-31 (December 31, 2016)
I HAVE COMPLAINED TO INFINITI SEVERAL TIMES THROUGHOUT THE 6 MONTHS I'VE HAD THE VEHICLE. I NOTICED AFTER A FEW WEEKS OF LEASING THE CAR THAT WHEN I STEER ALMOST TO A 90 DEGREE ANGLE WHETHER IT BE OUT OF A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN THE CAR LOSES ACCELERATION. THIS HAPPENS ON A DAILY BASIS, NOT EVERY TIME I TURN, BUT MORE TIMES THAN NONE IT LOSES CONSIDERABLE ACCELERATION WHICH HAS ALMOST CAUSED A WRECK. TO ME THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. I'VE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS IN AN OTHER VEHICLE I'VE DRIVEN. INFINITI SAYS IT'S A TRACTION CONTROL ISSUE THAT DISE…
Owner-reported narrative. 700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10938919 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10946397 · 2017-01-19 (January 19, 2017)
THERE IS A DANGEROUS DESIGN/ENGINEERING FLAW IN THE INFINITI STEER-BY-WIRE SYSTEM AND INFINITI REFUSES TO EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE IT. THE CAR IS INCAPABLE OF DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE, IS CONSTANTLY DRIFTING TO EITHER THE RIGHT OR TO THE LEFT AND REQUIRES A STEERING ADJUSTMENT EVERY FEW SECONDS. ON A LONG DRIVE, ON A HWY, THIS IS NOT ONLY FATIGUING IN THE ARMS BUT FATIGUING MENTALLY, AS WELL, AS THE DRIVER CAN NEVER RELAX. I'VE HAD THE CAR TO THE DEALER 4X AND WHILE THE SERVICE PEOPLE HAVE PRIVATELY ADMITTED TO ME THAT THE PROBLEM EXISTS, THEIR CO…
Owner-reported narrative. 250 miles reported. Look up ODI 10946397 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11006153 · 2017-07-18 (July 18, 2017)
WE TOOK OUR CAR IN FOR ITS FIRST OIL CHANGE AT A OIL LUBE BUSINESS AND AFTERWARD OUR CAR'S ENGINE SEIZED UP ABOUT 4 MILES DOWN THE ROAD, AND COMPLETELY DESTROYED ITSELF. AFTER INVESTIGATING, IT SEEMS THE OIL TECH MAY HAVE DAMAGED THE OIL FILTER ASSEMBLY'S DELICATE END TIP PIECE UNBEKNOWNST TO HIM. IT IS INCONCLUSIVE IF HE DAMAGED IT OR BROKE IT OFF. AT A LATER DATE THIS OIL LUBE BUSINESS GAVE US AN INFINITI TBS THEY GOT FROM OUR INFINITI DEALERSHIP, THAT THEY NOR I, HAD EVER SEEN. ALSO IT DOES NOT SEEM TO BE FILED WITH ANYONE NOR THE NHTSA. THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11006153 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11024237 · 2017-09-19 (September 19, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 INFINITI Q50. WHILE AT A STOP, THE VEHICLE WENT INTO ECONOMY MODE AND SHUT OFF. THE START/ON/OFF WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND TAKEN TO INFINITI OF COCONUT CREEK (5501 WEST SAMPLE RD, COCONUT CREEK, FL [phone removed]) AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT IT WAS PERFORMING AS EXPECTED. LATER, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V476000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER AND REPAIRED PER THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS M…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11024237 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11035272 · 2017-10-20 (October 20, 2017)
SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY WITH NO VEHICLES IN CLOSE DISTANCE IN FRONT OR ON THE SIDE OF ME.
Owner-reported narrative. 9,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 11035272 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11076095 · 2018-03-03 (March 3, 2018)
THE WINDOW REGULATOR ASSEMBLY IS DEFECTIVE ON A VARIETY OF INFINITI Q50 MODELS. THIS IS A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT AND SOME DEALERS ARE AWARE OF IT. THIS IS MORE FREQUENT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FROM WHAT HAS BEEN POSTED ONLINE. THIS INITIALLY PRESENTS ITSELF AS A RATTLE WHICH CAN BE HEARD DURING BASS NOTES WITH A FREQUENCY OF 50-100HZ. ~70HZ FROM MY TEST. THE WINDOW BASICALLY GETS OFF THE TRACK AND THIS CAN CAUSE A SAFETY ISSUE IF THE WINDOW SHATTERS DUE TO A MECHANICAL FAILURE OF THE WINDOW REGULATOR ASSEMBLY WHICH CAN POTENTIALLY PUT STRESS O…
Owner-reported narrative. 17,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11076095 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11078332 · 2018-03-09 (March 9, 2018)
MY INFINITI Q50 WILL, AT RANDOM, HEAVILY PULL AND SHIFT ACROSS MULTIPLE LANES OF TRAFFIC. THE PULLING IS WORSE DURING ACCELERATION AND HAS HAD AT LEAST THREE ALIGNMENTS IN 2018 IN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. INFINITI HAS BEEN UNABLE TO FULLY RESOLVE THE PULLING AND THE TECHNICIAN, IN HIS OWN WORDS, DESCRIBED THE VEHICLE AS DRAMATIC AND UNSAFE. ADDITIONALLY, INFINITI HAS REPLACED MY DRIVER MIRROR TWICE IN EFFORTS TO REDUCE VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE MIRROR WILL VIBRATE MAKING VISIBILITY AND USE OF THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 26,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11078332 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
16V244000 · Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification
Reported: 2016-04-26 (April 26, 2016)
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2013-2016 Nissan Altima, NV200, LEAF, Sentra, and Pathfinder, 2014-2016 Nissan NV200 Taxi, Infiniti QX60, QX60 Hybrid, and Q50 Hybrid, 2014-2017 Nissan Rogue and Infiniti Q50, 2015-2016 Nissan Murano, Murano Hybrid, and Chevrolet City Express, 2014-2015 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid, and 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles. In these vehicles, the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) may incorrectly classify an adult passenger as a child or classify the seat as empty despite it being occupied. As a result, the passenger frontal air bag may be turned off and not deploy in the event of a crash.
Consequence: If the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: Nissan will notify their owners. Chevrolet City Express owners will be notified by General Motors. Dealers will reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) and OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU) in Altima, Maxima, Murano, Rogue, and Sentra vehicles, and replace the OCS ECU in LEAF, NV200, NV200 Taxi, Pathfinder, Infiniti Q50, JX35, and QX60 and Chevrolet City Express vehicles, free of charge. Interim notices were sent to owners on May 31, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669, Infiniti customer service at 1-888-833-3216 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V430000 · Steering:Automated/Adaptive Steering | Steering:Electric Power Assist System
Reported: 2016-06-13 (June 13, 2016)
Nissan North America, Inc.'s (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Infiniti Q50 vehicles manufactured December 26, 2012, to December 11, 2015, and Infiniti Q50 Hybrid vehicles manufactured December 10, 2012, to December 17, 2015. The Direct Adaptive Steering system may experience an error at vehicle start up altering the vehicle's steering responsiveness and turning radius.
Consequence: If the vehicle does not steer as the driver anticipates, there is an increased the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Direct Adaptive Steering ECU software, free of charge. The recall began on August 12, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
NHTSA campaign record ↗17V476000 · Electrical System:Software | Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Reported: 2017-07-27 (July 27, 2017)
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Infiniti Q50 and 2017 Infiniti Q60 vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine. Incorrect Fuel Pump Control Module (FPCM) software may allow the fuel level in the main tank to be too low to supply fuel to the engine, causing the engine to stall while driving.
Consequence: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and Infiniti dealers will reprogram the Fuel Pump Control Module (FPCM) with corrected software, free of charge. The recall began August 29, 2017. Owners may contact Infiniti customer service at 1-800-662-6200.
NHTSA campaign record ↗24V470000 · Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft
Reported: 2024-06-21 (June 21, 2024)
Nissan North America, Inc. (INFINITI) is recalling certain 2011-2013 M56, 2012-2013 M35 Hybrid, 2014-2018 Q50, Q70 Hybrid, 2014-2019 Q70, and 2015-2019 Q70L two-wheel drive vehicles. The driveshaft can fatigue and break.
Consequence: A broken driveshaft can result in a loss of drive power, or a vehicle roll away when the vehicle is in park without the parking brake applied. Both scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driveshaft, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 13, 2024. Owners may contact INFINITI's customer service at 1-800-662-6200. INFINITI's numbers for this recall are R24A5 and R24A7.
NHTSA campaign record ↗