Which Infiniti Q50 years should I avoid?

NHTSA data points to 2014, 2015, and 2017 as the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 100, 89, and 78 respectively — the highest among the 10 model years covered.

What is the best Infiniti Q50 model year?

The 2021 Q50 is rated best, with only 6 complaints and a complaint index of 22. The 2016 and 2023 model years are also rated Good.

What problems does the 2014 Infiniti Q50 have?

The 2014 Q50 has the highest complaint index (100) of any year, driven mostly by steering problems (46% of complaints, median failure at 3,450 miles) and electrical system issues (25% of complaints).

Are there recalls on the Infiniti Q50 steering?

Yes. NHTSA recall 16V430000 covers 2014-2016 Q50 vehicles for a Direct Adaptive Steering ECU software issue, addressed by dealer reprogramming.

How many total complaints does the Infiniti Q50 have?

NHTSA lists 488 total complaints across the 2014-2023 Q50, with 11 recall campaigns, and steering (25%) and engine (24%) as the top problem areas overall.

Infiniti Q50 Best and Worst Years (2014–2023)

Avoid 2014, 2015, and 2017 Infiniti Q50 model years, which carry the highest complaint index scores (100, 89, and 78) and lead with steering, transmission, and engine problems. The 2021 model year is best, with only 6 complaints and an index of 22, and 2016 and 2023 are also rated Good.

Avoid 2014 Avoid 2015 Avoid 2017 Best 2021

Model years: 10; 2014–2023
NHTSA complaints: 488
Recall campaigns: 11
Crashes reported: 38
Fires reported: 5
Top problem area: Steering

Q50 Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Infiniti Q50 problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2014	Avoid	100	169	11	2	5	Steering	26.5	5★
2015	Avoid	89	126	16	2	3	Transmission & Powertrain	26.5	5★
2016	Good	44	39	1	0	4	Engine	25	—
2017	Avoid	78	62	3	0	4	Engine	25	—
2018	Caution	67	44	1	1	3	Engine	23.5	—
2019	Caution	56	30	3	0	1	Engine	22.5	—
2020	No verdict	11	3	0	0	0	Engine	22	—
2021	Best	22	6	1	0	3	Engine	22	—
2022	No verdict	0	1	0	0	0	—	22	—
2023	Good	33	8	2	0	0	Steering	22	—

Q50 years to avoid: what went wrong

2014 Infiniti Q50 Index 100 · 169 complaints · 5 recalls

The 2014 Q50 has the highest complaint index of any year (100) with 169 total complaints. Steering issues dominate, making up 46% of complaints for the year, with a median failure mileage of 3,450 miles — very early in ownership. Electrical system problems account for another 25% of complaints, with failures reported around 16,863 miles. NHTSA recalls cover the Direct Adaptive Steering ECU software, a driveshaft that can fatigue and break, and a Takata airbag defect. Owners describe steering wheels failing without warning at highway speeds and airbags not deploying in crashes.

2014 steering problems →2014 electrical system problems →2014 engine problems →

2015 Infiniti Q50 Index 89 · 126 complaints · 3 recalls

The 2015 Q50 ranks second worst with a complaint index of 89 and 126 complaints. Transmission and powertrain problems lead at 31% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 80,000. Steering issues follow at 22%, showing up around 17,000 miles. Owners describe brakes that failed to respond during highway driving and airbags that did not deploy in low-speed and animal-strike collisions. The same driveshaft and Takata airbag recalls that affect the 2014 model also apply here, along with the steering software recall.

2015 transmission & powertrain problems →2015 steering problems →2015 engine problems →

2017 Infiniti Q50 Index 78 · 62 complaints · 4 recalls

The 2017 Q50 has a complaint index of 78 across 62 complaints. Engine problems are the top concern at 31% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 18,000. Owners describe the vehicle stalling or losing power unexpectedly while driving, including one case where the car shut off at 45 mph and rolled into a ditch. Fuel system and electrical system issues follow, tied to a recall for incorrect Fuel Pump Control Module software that let fuel readings drop to zero. A separate recall addresses a driver airbag inflator that may have been improperly welded.

2017 engine problems →

Most common Infiniti Q50 problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.

Steering124 (25%)
Engine116 (24%)
Electrical System91 (19%)
Transmission & Powertrain79 (16%)
Airbags63 (13%)
Other60 (12%)
Brakes50 (10%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires40 (8%)
Fuel System29 (6%)
Structure & Body24 (5%)

Frequently asked questions

Which Infiniti Q50 years should I avoid?: NHTSA data points to 2014, 2015, and 2017 as the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 100, 89, and 78 respectively — the highest among the 10 model years covered.
What is the best Infiniti Q50 model year?: The 2021 Q50 is rated best, with only 6 complaints and a complaint index of 22. The 2016 and 2023 model years are also rated Good.
What problems does the 2014 Infiniti Q50 have?: The 2014 Q50 has the highest complaint index (100) of any year, driven mostly by steering problems (46% of complaints, median failure at 3,450 miles) and electrical system issues (25% of complaints).
Are there recalls on the Infiniti Q50 steering?: Yes. NHTSA recall 16V430000 covers 2014-2016 Q50 vehicles for a Direct Adaptive Steering ECU software issue, addressed by dealer reprogramming.
How many total complaints does the Infiniti Q50 have?: NHTSA lists 488 total complaints across the 2014-2023 Q50, with 11 recall campaigns, and steering (25%) and engine (24%) as the top problem areas overall.