Infiniti Q50 Engine Problems

Owners have filed 80 complaints about engine & cooling problems with the Infiniti Q50 — 16% of all Q50 complaints. The worst model years are 2018 (18), 2017 (17) and 2014 (12). Problems typically start around 51,000 miles. One related recall has been issued.

80complaints
2018worst year
51ktypical miles
1related recalls
2crashes
2fires

Engine complaints by model year

201420152016201720182019202120231210101718112
Engine complaints per model year, Infiniti Q50.
YearComplaintsShare of year's complaintsTypical mileage
2021233%82,000 miles
20191137%68,000 miles
20181841%22,000 miles
20171727%28,000 miles
20161026%60,000 miles
2015108%56,000 miles
2014127%72,000 miles

Which parts fail

  • Engine › Gasoline › Turbo/supercharger
    1

Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    1138%
  • 25k–50k
    27%
  • 50k–75k
    724%
  • 75k–100k
    724%
  • 100k–150k
    27%
  • 150k+
    00%

What owners report

The contact owns a 2019 Infiniti Q50. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine misfired, and the contact became aware of smoke coming from the engine compartment. The check engine and battery warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to pull the vehicle over to the side of the road. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked and turned off, there was coolant leaking underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the timing belt had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 71,500.

2019 Q50 · 72,000 miles · Oct 2024

The contact owns a 2019 Infiniti Q50. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated, with an abnormal knocking sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was turned off; however, while attempting to restart the vehicle, the abnormal knocking sound persisted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine and turbocharger failure. The contact was informed that the engine and the turbochargers needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 67,500.

2019 Q50 · 68,000 miles · Jul 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 the contact was informed that the brake calipers might also need to be replaced. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the engine temperature gauge indicated that the engine was hot(H), with white smoke coming from the exhaust pipes. …

2018 Q50 · 88,000 miles · Aug 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Infiniti Q50. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the "Low Oil Pressure - STOP", message was displayed, and the contact stopped driving the vehicle. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the engine was abnormally loud. The contact stated that the low oil pressure warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the timing chain. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 107,000.

2018 Q50 · 107,000 miles · Jan 2025

The contact owns a 2017 Infiniti Q50. The contact stated that while his son was driving at approximately 45 mph, the vehicle shut off without warning. Due to the failure, his son lost complete control of the vehicle and drove into a ditch. The air bags did not deploy. The contact's son was not injured as a result of the accident and did not seek medical treatment. The police were not called to the scene and a report was not filed. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed from the scene to an independent auto repair shop. The contact was informed by the auto repair shop the serpentine belt had shredded inside the engine which caused the failure. They also informed him that there was a service bulletin on the vehicle in relation to the failure. The contact's son reached out to the manufacturer where they both agreed to an unknown settlement. The vehicle had been repaired. …

2017 Q50 · 28,000 miles · Apr 2021 · crash

In October of 2023 I was driving onto the high way and my car just started to slow down I could not accelerate that gas while I was on the highway which is very dangerous when you are on the highway. My car turn off completely the engine light started to blink. All the lights were blinking. The only thing that was on was my radio. I could not move the car I was having. Trouble putting the car into park. Everything was stuck. Good thing I was not in the middle of the highway and not on a really busy highway but it was late at night. Drivers on the high way and myself are out at risk I could not even put my hazards on. A car could have crash into me and serious injury's could have happen. I was stuck and was having trouble putting the car in park. Could not go into neutral. …

2017 Q50 · Jan 2024

The contact owns a 2016 Infiniti Q50. The contact stated upon attempting to drive from a complete stop, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that upon attempting to drive the vehicle 30 minutes later, the vehicle responded as needed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the vehicle was diagnosed that the valve body had failed. The mechanic determined that the valve body and the entire transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure and charged a fee for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 77,636. The VIN was not available.

2016 Q50 · 78,000 miles · Jun 2024

The contact owns a 2016 Infiniti Q50. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked before stalling. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine was faulty. After replacing the engine, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired several times before the engine was replaced. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

2016 Q50 · 60,000 miles · Jan 2020

Related recalls (1)

Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Engine control module (ECU/ECM) › Software

NHTSA recall 21V-234 · Apr 4, 2021 · 12,943 vehicles

Nissan North America, Inc. (INFINITI) is recalling certain 2021 INFINITI Q50 and Q60 vehicles. After detecting rapid acceleration, the Engine Control Module (ECM) may incorrectly reduce engine power and reduce fuel supply to the engine.

Remedy: INFINITI will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the ECM software, free of charge. The recall began on May 25, 2021. Owners may contact INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200.

Frequently asked questions

Which Infiniti Q50 years have engine problems?

By NHTSA complaints, the 2018 (18), 2017 (17), 2014 (12), 2019 (11) and 2015 (10) model years. Engine complaints make up 41% of all complaints for the 2018.

Is there a recall for Infiniti Q50 engine problems?

Yes — 1 recall, including 21V-234 (software, Apr 4, 2021). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.

At what mileage do Infiniti Q50 engine problems start?

Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 51,000 miles; 45% happened before 50,000 miles.

What part fails most often?

Owners most often name the engine › gasoline › turbo/supercharger (1 mentions).

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.