Head-to-head reliability
Infiniti Q50 vs Infiniti Q60
How the Infiniti Q50 and Infiniti Q60 compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Infiniti Q50 vs Infiniti Q60: The Q50 averages 31.8 complaints per year with 18 recalls, while the Q60 averages 10.4 complaints per year with 6 recalls. Both have air bag and engine issues, but the Q50 has more crash-related reports. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Infiniti Q50 or Infiniti Q60 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Infiniti Q50
The Infiniti Q50 is a luxury sedan that has been on the road for about a decade, averaging roughly 32 complaints per year. Owners frequently report sudden engine power loss, transmission problems, air bag warning lights, and steering issues. With 18 recalls and 27 crash-related complaints, it's a car that demands careful inspection before purchase.
Infiniti Q60
The Infiniti Q60 is a sporty coupe with about 10 complaints per year over eight years. The most common owner complaints involve air bag warning lights, engine problems like white smoke and unintended acceleration, and steering malfunctions. It has fewer recalls and crashes than the Q50, but the issues reported are still serious.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Infiniti Q50 | Infiniti Q60 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 318 | 83 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 18 | 6 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 27 | 4 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 31.8 | 10.4 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 12 | 5 Better |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Infiniti Q50
- 01ENGINE65
- 02POWER TRAIN60
- 03AIR BAGS47
- 04STEERING46
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM44
Owners report sudden loss of acceleration and engine power, often with the check engine light on. Some say the car shuts off while driving, which can be dangerous in traffic.
Complaints include transmission problems that cause the car to lose power or not accelerate properly. One owner described the vehicle shutting off while parked with the engine running.
The passenger seatbelt warning may activate even when no one is sitting there, and air bag warning lights can come on, indicating the system may not work in a crash. Repairs can be costly after warranty.
Owners report the steering wheel locking or feeling stuck, and some say the brake and gas pedals become unresponsive. This can make the car hard to control.
“In August 2026, while driving, the vehicle suddenly lost acceleration and engine power and would only travel at a very slow speed. The check engine light came on. The driver had to safely stop, turn the engine off, and restart it. After restarting, the vehicl…”
“Shortly after purchasing the vehicle, I began experiencing serious performance issues. While driving, the vehicle suddenly lost power, would not accelerate properly, and warning lights appeared on the dashboard. The vehicle eventually shut off while in operat…”
Infiniti Q60
- 01AIR BAGS21
- 02ENGINE20
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER12
- 04POWER TRAIN10
- 05STEERING10
The air bag warning light often illuminates, pointing to a problem with the passenger side occupancy sensor. This means the air bag might not deploy when needed.
Owners describe extreme white smoke from the exhaust and unintended acceleration. One report mentions the car hydroplaning during a rainstorm after accelerating on its own.
Complaints include stalling, failure to accelerate, and swerving on its own. These issues can make the car unpredictable to drive.
Some owners report the car swerving with slight bumps and a loud bang from the steering system. This suggests possible steering component failure.
“Component/System: Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) / Airbag Occupancy Classification System — Passenger Side What Happened: The airbag/SRS warning light illuminated on my 2018 Infiniti Q60 (VIN [XXX], 102,388 miles). The vehicle was taken to Sewell Infinit…”
“Hello, I purchased my Infiniti Q60 Red Sport brand new in 2028. About a year after that I started to have electrical issues with the car. I've brought it in to the Infiniti dealer in Valencia, CA numerous times during the warranty period (and a few times out…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Infiniti Q50 — 18 recalls
The defect: 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.
The 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.
The fix: 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 o…
The defect: 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.
The risk: A lack of fuel may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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. INFINITI's number for this recall is R20C5.
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2021 Infinity Q50, Q60, and QX80 vehicles. A software error may deactivate the audio/video control unit screen, preventing the rear-view image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehi…
The risk: A rear-view camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 14, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R21A9.
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additio…
The risk: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-…
Infiniti Q60 — 6 recalls
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 Infiniti Q60 vehicles equipped with rear seat belt assemblies with a dual-mode locking mechanism. The seat belt webbing sensor locking mechanism may not lock as intended.
The risk: In the event of a crash involving multiple impacts, the seat belt may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear seat belt assembly production dates, and replace the assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-8…
The defect: 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.
The risk: A lack of fuel may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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. INFINITI's number for this recall is R20C5.
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2021 Infinity Q50, Q60, and QX80 vehicles. A software error may deactivate the audio/video control unit screen, preventing the rear-view image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehi…
The risk: A rear-view camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 14, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R21A9.
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additio…
The risk: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-…
Buyer analysis
Infiniti Q50 or Infiniti Q60: which should you buy?
The Infiniti Q60 has fewer issues per year (about 10 complaints) compared to the Q50 (about 32 complaints). In practice, this means the Q60 may be less likely to leave you stranded or require frequent repairs, but both models have serious safety-related complaints that should not be ignored.
Key differences
- The Q50 has far more complaints per year (31.8 vs 10.4) and more recalls (18 vs 6).
- Q50 owners frequently report sudden engine power loss and transmission problems, while Q60 owners more often report air bag warning lights and white smoke from the exhaust.
- The Q50 has 27 crash-related complaints and 12 injuries; the Q60 has 4 crash-related complaints and 5 injuries.
- Both models share recalls for engine control software and backup camera issues, but the Q50 also has a steering recall.
- Check for any history of sudden engine power loss or stalling; test drive at highway speeds and listen for hesitation.
- Inspect the steering system for locking or stiffness, and verify that the air bag warning light is not illuminated.
- Look for white smoke from the exhaust, which could indicate engine problems; start the car and watch for smoke.
- Check that the air bag warning light is off and that the passenger seatbelt warning does not activate when the seat is empty.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls using the VIN.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the engine, transmission, and steering systems for signs of failure.
- Test drive the car in various conditions, including highway speeds and bumpy roads, to feel for steering or acceleration issues.
- Verify that all air bag and seatbelt warning lights function correctly and go off after starting.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for any engine or transmission repairs.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Infiniti Q50 | Infiniti Q60 |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 0 |
| 2021 | 6 | 3 |
| 2020 | 3 | 2 |
| 2019 | 30 | 4 |
| 2018 | 43 | 25 |
| 2017 | 62 | 34 |
| 2015 | 126 | 2 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Infiniti Q50 or Infiniti Q60 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Infiniti Q50 vs Infiniti Q60
- Infiniti Q50 total complaints
- 318
- Infiniti Q60 total complaints
- 83
- Infiniti Q50 total recalls
- 18
- Infiniti Q60 total recalls
- 6
- Infiniti Q50 avg complaints/year
- 31.8
- Infiniti Q60 avg complaints/year
- 10.4
- More reliable overall
- Infiniti Q60
- Infiniti Q50 top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Infiniti Q60 top complaint area
- AIR BAGS