Most common 2021 Infiniti QX50 problems
Share of the 41 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Infiniti QX50 complaints by model year
2021 Infiniti QX50 recalls (2)
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Hard parts internal/mechanical
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Rogue, 2019-2020 Altima, 2019-2022 Infiniti QX50, and 2022 Infiniti QX55 vehicles equipped with 3-cylinder 1.5L or 4-cylinder 2.0L variable compression turbo (VC-Turbo) engines. The engine bearings may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine failure.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the engine control module (ECM) software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed April 8, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261 or Infiniti's customer service at…
Suspension › Rear › Axle › Spindle
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 Nissan Murano, INFINITI QX60, 2021 Nissan GT-R, INFINITI QX50, and Q50 vehicles. The front steering knuckle or rear axle housing may have insufficient strength due to improper heat-treatment.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the front steering knuckle and rear axle housing, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 26, 2021.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2021 Infiniti QX50:
Complete loss of motive power due to engine failure
On December 13, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-023 to investigate allegations of engine failures leading to loss of motive power in model year (MY) 2021-2023 Nissan Rogue; MY 2019-2021 Nissan Altima; and MY 2019-2021 Infiniti QX50 vehicles.
What 2021 Infiniti QX50 owners say
Engine & cooling all 25 →
The contact owns a 2021 Infiniti QX50. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a dealer for an oil change; however, the dealer informed the contact that the turbocharger needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer for an oil change, and the dealer informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer stated that there were metal flakes in the oil pan and that the flakes were believed to be caused by inconsistent oil changes. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was notified that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V437000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the dealer informed the contact that parts were not yet available for the recall repair. …
The contact owns a 2021 Infiniti QX50. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment, prompting the contact to discontinue driving the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the engine bearings, resulting in damages to the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V437000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The VIN was included, but the vehicle was not repaired. …
Driver assistance
The contact owns a 2021 Infiniti QX50. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle experienced phantom braking. There was an unknown message displayed on the instrument panel. The failure had occurred twice. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that the failure was a known issue; however, there was no repair available. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the windshield had previously been replaced, but was installed incorrectly, which could have caused the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000. The VIN was not available.
While driving on a clear day with no traffic in front of me or debris on the road at approximately 45 mph, a master warning light appeared on my dash with an accompanying warning signal and simultaneously the emergency braking system engaged and brought my vehicle to a sudden stop. As quickly as it started, the warning and braking ceased and left me stunned and terrified. Had I been in traffic or on a highway, I am quite certain that I would have been rear-ended. Luckily, that was not my fate yesterday but this defect is serious and dangerous. I have contacted the dealer and dealer service department. The service department informed me that they could inspect the vehicle in 4 weeks. The dealer said that there are multiple computers in the vehicle and that computers can be glichy. …
Electrical system
On June 16, 2026, a 2021 Infiniti QX50 experienced a safety-related malfunction while being driven at approximately 15-20 mph. The vehicle suddenly jerked, lost power response, displayed multiple warning lights, showed a "System Fault - See Owner's Manual" message, and became unresponsive/difficult to control. The engine remained on, but the vehicle did not respond properly. The vehicle struck a fixed object/rock. A police report was filed/requested, and medical evaluation was sought afterward. The suspected failed or malfunctioning systems are the engine/powertrain response, electrical system, and related control systems. The vehicle should be available for inspection upon request and should be preserved before any diagnostic codes, freeze-frame data, event data, modules, or electronic records are cleared, reset, repaired, overwritten, or destroyed. …
I purchased my vehicle 4.25. soon after I noticed lights flickering. I was notified shortly after my car was part of the major recall. I brought it in, they said no engine bearings, car is ok, they did not acknowledge the lights because there was no code. I was due for an oil change a few months later and the dealer gave me a 2600.00 estimate for repairs. soon after the FEB light and the lane assist malfunctions. emergency brake malfunctions are DANGEROUS AND UNSAFE .I have made numerous calls to infiniti in the meantime to initiate a buy back. I take the car to Infiniti, now i have. 4376.00 estimate.I have only had this vehicle 13 months. it was a CPO. They assume no responsibility and refuse to buy back. There are numerous complaints with the 2021 qx50 all are the same. This vehicle is not reliable, this company is not reputable. something needs to be done. …
2021 Infiniti QX50 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | CVT | FWD | 23 / 29 / 26 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | CVT | AWD | 22 / 28 / 25 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2021 Infiniti QX50 a good car?
Based on 41 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2021 QX50 rates avoid: 3.6× as many complaints as a typical year of the QX50 at the same age. It is one of the QX50 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2021 Infiniti QX50?
The engine & cooling — 25 complaints, 61% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the driver assistance (8) and electrical system (8).
How many recalls does the 2021 Infiniti QX50 have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2021 Infiniti QX50, the most recent from June 27, 2025 (hard parts internal/mechanical). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Infiniti QX50?
Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2019, 2021, 2020 and 2022. See the full Infiniti QX50 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2021 Infiniti QX50 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 80,000 miles; 30% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.