What kind of problems do Infiniti Q50 owners face? We’ve done the research and outlined all the problems you need to look out for when purchasing an Infiniti Q50. However, let’s first start with a quick answer.
The most important problems of the Infiniti Q50 are steering and brake problems found on the 2014 to 2016 models. Other common problems include airbag deployment issues on the 2014 to 2017 models and premature tire wear on the 2015 model. Owners also had to deal with electrical issues in 2018, 2019, and 2021 models.
These were the main problems in short. Now we’d like to go over them in detail as we lay out important points such as how to identify them, fix them, and the cost of fixing them. Let’s begin.
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1. Steering Problems
Several owners have reported steering issues on their Infiniti Q50s. Most of these complaints were concerning the power assist feature which malfunctioned. Without the power assist feature, it becomes considerably difficult to turn the vehicle and keep it under the same level of control.
Two recalls have been issued by Nissan to address these steering problems. The first recall addressed the 2014 to 2016 models of Infiniti Q50 which have a flawed direct adaptive steering system. This steering system can experience errors during vehicle startup and alters the vehicle’s steering response and turning radius. This unexpected change in steering capabilities or ‘settings’ can be fatal for the driver as the vehicle steers unexpectedly or not as anticipated.
As part of the recall, dealers will reprogram the steering ECU software free of charge. The NHTSA campaign number for this recall is 16V430000.
The second recall was specific to the 2014 model and was also related to the power steering software. In cold temperatures, particularly when the engine compartment was close to freezing temperatures, the power steering software disabled the electric steering system. This can result in a loss of steering which greatly increases the risk of crashes and injuries.
The second recall affected a few vehicles of the 2014 model year and Nissan arranged for these vehicles to be towed and repaired. The NHTSA campaign number for this recall is 13V588000.
2. Brake Problems
Problems with the braking system are serious safety hazards that put your life at risk. You should watch out for signs indicating these problems and get them fixed as soon as possible with quality replacements if needed. Poor quality or cheap replacements could make the problems resurface sooner than expected.
Master Cylinder Failure
Master cylinders installed in the 2014 to 2016 Infinity Q50s tend to fail around the 100,000-mile mark. The master cylinder is responsible for converting your foot pressure into hydraulic pressure and this failure can be identified by a spongy brake pedal. Seals in this component deteriorate prematurely and result in interior leaks. These leaks increase the pressure required for braking and increase the stopping distance of your vehicle. Over time, if the problem is left unattended, the stopping distances will only get longer, further increasing the risk of collisions and injuries.
The problem can be fixed by replacing the defective master cylinder, a task that will cost you anywhere from $300 to $700. If you’re in the market for a used Infiniti Q50 or own one that’s been driven around a bit, we’d recommend keeping an eye out for this problem since it’s mostly reported around the 100,000-mile mark.
Premature Brake Wear
Another problem that plagues the 2014 to 2016 Infiniti Q50 is premature wear of brake pads. These brake pads wear out in as little as 5,000 miles costing you $150 to $300 each time they need to be replaced. If you don’t replace them on time, you’ll be opening your vehicle up to more damage on brake components such as the brake caliper or brake rotor.
3. Passenger Air Bag Problems
Airbag deployment failure is a problem concerning the 2014 to 2017 models of the Infiniti Q50. It affects the front-seat passenger airbag and is caused by the Occupant Classification System (OCS) which identifies if the seat is occupied. Unfortunately, the system incorrectly classifies that the seat is not occupied which results in the deactivation of the airbag.
Nissan issued a recall for this problem which required dealers to replace the OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU) to fix the problem. All done free of charge.
The problem poses a serious safety risk so if you’re in the market for a used Infiniti Q50 we’d recommend checking if the vehicle was part of the recall and if the necessary replacements were made.
The NHTSA campaign number for this recall is 14V138000 (2014 model)
The NHTSA campaign number for this recall is 16V244000 (2014 – 2017 models)
4. Electrical Issues
The Infiniti Q50 comes with a few electrical issues and glitches. We’ve found that two issues especially stand out: infotainment system reboots and missing rear-view image, both issues can quickly plunge you into dangerous situations.
The infotainment system puts you in touch with all the features on your vehicle and we’ve seen reports about important systems such as cruise control rebooting with the infotainment system. The temporary loss of systems such as cruise control on a highway can leave you in a difficult situation putting your life at risk.
The other problem is with the missing rear-view image. Accidental changes in settings, glitches, and display screen shutdowns can all result in a missing rear-view image. Similarly to the Infiniti QX80 model, this opens up the vehicle to risks of rear-end collisions, especially in tight parking spots while reversing.
Infiniti has issued recalls fixing this problem since these vehicles failed to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. As part of the recall, Nissan requires dealers to update the control unit software in recall 21V599000 and the backup camera setting software in recall 19V654000. Recalls were made for the 2018, 2019, and 2021 models of the Infiniti Q50.
5. Premature Tire Wear
The 2015 Infiniti Q50 is known for having tires that just wear too quickly. Owners have had to replace tires after just a few thousand miles with many owners replacing tires under the 10,000-mile mark.
Many owners have concluded that the tires were simply subpar and in turn, had shorter lives, we’d have to agree. There seems to be no other reason for these tires to wear so quickly or split at the rim without cause or warning.
According to most owners, these tires are too troublesome to deal with. The replacement costs are considerable and too frequent, they can cost as high as $350 for a single standard tire, and if they split at the rim while you’re on the highway you’ll be put in considerable danger. Thus, most owners would recommend changing the tires altogether to a better brand that makes use of higher quality materials.
As far as we’ve seen, the complaints are mostly limited to the 2015 model.
6. Soy-Coated Wiring
Soy-Coated wiring has become a common issue for most brands including Infiniti. Most automakers switched to soy-based coating for their wiring because it was more biodegradable and so more eco-friendly. Although it’s better for the environment, it’s also better for the automaker as these soy-based coatings are cheaper than their plastic counterparts.
The problem with these soy-based coatings is that they attract rodents who then like to chew on them and use them as nesting material. This could cause an array of problems, any system that utilizes wires that are accessible to these rodents is at risk of failing. This has become quite the problem since there is no easy solution and it’s a problem found in most vehicles by most automakers.
There are some simple steps to include into your routine to try and catch these rodents before they cause an expensive problem. This includes regularly opening the hood and looking for signs of rodent activity, looking for shredded pieces of wire where you park your cars, and cleaning out all the food in your car.
What’s The Worst Year Of The Infiniti Q50
The Infiniti Q50s are reliable cars that should last around 200,000 miles and can even last longer with proper care and maintenance. The Q50 hasn’t been around for too long since its initial launch in 2014, but we’d still like to discuss the best and worst model years of the Infiniti Q50.
The worst years of the Q50 would have to be 2014 and 2015. These model years were the most complained about and had many problems plaguing them such as premature tire wear, steering problems, brake problems, and airbag deployment issues. They also had recalls issued for the airbag deployment issue and steering issue which means you’ll have to check if the recalls applied to your vehicle and inquire whether or not the fix had been carried out.
Although, we aren’t surprised by these models being troublesome since they were the first two years of Q50 on the market and it takes time to iron out kinks.
All other models of the Infiniti Q50 seem to be good options with fewer complaints and fewer overall problems. We’d pick 2020 as the best model year considering it’s been on the market for a while but still has very few complaints. You also won’t have to worry about recalls and visits to the dealership since zero recalls have been issued for the 2020 model.
Closing Thoughts
In this article, we have delved deep into the common problems faced by Infiniti Q50 owners, providing a detailed overview of the various issues spanning different model years. We highlighted significant concerns, such as steering and brake problems predominant in the 2014 to 2016 models, airbag deployment issues plaguing the 2014 to 2017 batches, and the 2015 model’s premature tire wear dilemma. Moreover, we shed light on the electrical problems faced in the 2018, 2019, and 2021 models.
Armed with the insights from our exhaustive research, potential buyers and current owners of the Infiniti Q50 can now navigate the landscape with a well-informed perspective. Understanding the prevalent issues, identifying them, and knowing the potential repair costs not only empowers you to make a knowledgeable purchase but also prepares you to maintain your vehicle optimally.
Thank you for reading, and we hope this guide proves instrumental in helping you enjoy a smooth and safe driving experience with your Infiniti Q50. Stay tuned for more insights and guidance on navigating car ownership with confidence.
Sources
- https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2014/INFINITI/Q50
- https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2015/INFINITI/Q50/4%252520DR/RWD#recalls
- https://www.carparts.com/blog/infiniti-q50-reliability-and-common-problems/
- https://lemberglaw.com/2019-infiniti-q50-problems-complaints-lemon/
His interests in cars, motorcycles, and machines led him to the University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore where he is currently a mechanical engineering sophomore.
His future aims include the development of an energy-efficient prototype vehicle for the Shell Eco-Marathon competition and getting a Master’s Degree in Automotive Engineering from Germany.