YearToAvoid

2021 Infiniti QX50 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

90/100

#2 most-complained of 11 QX50 years

The 2021 Infiniti QX50 has 40 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 90, and 2 recalls, ranking 2nd worst of 11 model years. Engine problems dominate at 65% of complaints, with median mileage at failure of 71,000 miles overall, making it an Avoid year relative to other QX50 years.

Complaints
40
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
2 / 0
Injuries / deaths
4 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
25.5
22.5 city / 28.5 hwy

Top 2021 Infiniti QX50 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine26 (65%)
  2. Electrical System8 (20%)
  3. Collision Avoidance & Cameras7 (18%)
  4. Brakes4 (10%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain4 (10%)
  6. Other3 (8%)
  7. Fuel System2 (5%)
  8. Lane Departure1 (3%)
  9. Steering1 (3%)
  10. Structure & Body1 (3%)

What owners report

  • Engine develops knocking noise that owners link to a widespread engine issue in 2021 QX50 vehicles, with fear of eventual lock-up or failure.
  • Vehicle suddenly loses power while driving or pulling out of a driveway, dropping into limp mode and refusing to accelerate past 20 mph.
  • Engine bearings fail, producing abnormal sounds from the engine compartment and requiring the vehicle to be pulled off the road.
  • Automatic emergency braking activates unexpectedly at speed with no obstacle present, bringing the vehicle to a sudden stop.
  • Rear brakes make abnormal noise, with one owner told the pads and rotors needed replacement after a separate engine recall repair.
  • A gasoline odor was detected in a parked vehicle at 4,000 miles, traced to incorrectly designed vacuum lines that drain fuel vapors.
2021 Infiniti QX50 complaints: complaints filed per month8May 2021Feb 2022Mar 2024Aug 2025Jan 2026May 2026
58 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2021 to Aug 2026; peak May 2026 (8).

2021 Infiniti QX50 recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 25V437000Jun 27, 2025Engine443,899 vehicles

    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.

    Risk: Engine failure increases the risk of a crash. A bearing failure may cause a breach in the engine block, allowing hot oil to be discharged, increasing the risk of an engine fire.

    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 1-800-662-6200. Nissan's numbers for this recall are R25A8/A9 and R25B1/B2.

  2. NHTSA 21V402000May 27, 2021Suspension, Wheels & Tires14,276 vehicles

    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.

    Risk: The steering knuckle or rear axle could deform upon impact, such as from hitting a curb, resulting in a loss of steering control, or possible wheel separation. Both of these conditions can increase the risk of a crash.

    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. Nissan owners may contact customer service at 1-800-867-7669. INFINITI owners may contact customer service at 1-800-662-6200.

2021 Infiniti QX50 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
22.5 MPG
Highway
28.5 MPG
Combined
25.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,125
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2021 compared with other QX50 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020142015201620172019202020212022202320242025
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2019Avoid100139326.5
2020Caution6032225.5
2021Avoid9040225.5
2022Avoid8016225.5
2023No verdict304125.5

All Infiniti QX50 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Infiniti QX50 a bad year?
Compared to other QX50 model years, 2021 ranks 2nd worst out of 11 years tracked, with a complaint index of 90 and 40 NHTSA complaints, earning an Avoid verdict.
What is the biggest problem with the 2021 Infiniti QX50?
Engine problems are the top issue, accounting for 65% of complaints (26 of 40), with a median mileage at failure of 90,321 miles for engine-specific complaints.
Does the 2021 Infiniti QX50 have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2021 QX50: one for the engine control module software on certain variable-compression engines, and one for insufficient strength in the front steering knuckle or rear axle housing.
How does the 2021 QX50 compare to the 2019 and 2022 model years?
The 2019 QX50 has the highest complaint index at 100 with 139 complaints, and 2022 has a complaint index of 80, both also rated Avoid, while 2021 sits between them at a complaint index of 90.
What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Infiniti QX50?
EPA rates the 2021 QX50 at 25.5 mpg combined (22.5 city / 28.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,125.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.