Head-to-head reliability
Infiniti QX80 vs Infiniti Q50
How the Infiniti QX80 and Infiniti Q50 compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Infiniti QX80 vs Infiniti Q50: The QX80 averages 7.8 complaints per year with 3 crash-related reports, while the Q50 averages 31.8 complaints per year with 27 crash-related reports. The Q50 also has more engine and steering issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Infiniti QX80 or Infiniti Q50 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Infiniti QX80
The Infiniti QX80 is a large luxury SUV with a relatively low complaint rate of about 7.8 per year over a decade. Owners frequently report electrical glitches, especially with the infotainment system and battery drain, as well as issues with air bags and forward collision avoidance. Recalls are numerous (19), often for labels and backup camera problems. Overall, it appears to have fewer reported problems per year than the Q50, but the electrical and safety system complaints can be frustrating.
Infiniti Q50
The Infiniti Q50 is a sport sedan with a much higher complaint rate of about 31.8 per year. The most common trouble spots are the engine, power train, air bags, steering, and electrical system, with many reports of sudden power loss, transmission issues, and air bag warnings. There are also 27 crash-related complaints and 12 injuries reported. This suggests a more problematic ownership experience, with safety-related defects appearing more often.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Infiniti QX80 | Infiniti Q50 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 78 Better | 318 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 19 | 18 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 3 Better | 27 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 7.8 Better | 31.8 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 2 Better | 12 |
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 QX80
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM22
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER21
- 03AIR BAGS10
- 04FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE10
- 05ENGINE7
Owners report infotainment and Apple CarPlay failures, USB-C port problems, and dead batteries after short stops. These issues can leave you stranded or without key features, and may require costly repairs.
Complaints include air bag warning lights and disabled air bags, sometimes linked to electrical network faults. In a crash, non-deploying air bags increase injury risk, so any warning light should be taken seriously.
Some owners experience unintended braking, especially over certain road surfaces, and front collision sensor failures. This can cause sudden, unexpected braking, which may lead to loss of control or rear-end collisions.
While less common, engine complaints exist, often related to power loss or stalling. These can be dangerous if they occur while driving, and may indicate underlying electrical or fuel system issues.
“What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Two components have failed: the infotainment/Apple CarPlay system, including the USB-C connectivity port, and the front collision detection/crash sensor system.…”
“MY WIFE IS IN QUARANTINE WITH OUR DAUGHTER IN OREGON. DRIVES THE QX80 EVERY 2 OR 3 DAYS, TO GO TO THE STORE FOR FOOD. QX80 STARTED UP JUST FINE, DROVE IT TO THE STORE AND PARKED IT. 35 MINUTES LATER, CAME OUT OF THE STORE WITH PERISHABLE GROCERIES, THE BATTER…”
Infiniti Q50
- 01ENGINE65
- 02POWER TRAIN60
- 03AIR BAGS47
- 04STEERING46
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM44
Owners frequently report sudden loss of acceleration and engine power, with the check engine light coming on. This can happen while driving, forcing the driver to pull over and restart, posing a serious safety risk.
Complaints include transmission problems, such as the vehicle not moving when in gear or sudden loss of power. These issues can leave you stranded and may require expensive transmission repairs.
Air bag warning lights and failures are reported, sometimes with the passenger seatbelt warning activating when unoccupied. Non-functional air bags in a crash can lead to severe injuries.
Owners describe steering wheel locking or feeling stiff, along with brake and acceleration problems. Steering failure can cause loss of control, making this a critical safety concern.
“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…”
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 QX80 — 19 recalls
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Nissan Armada, 2011-2013 Infiniti QX56, and 2014-2027 QX80 vehicles equipped with 22" wheels. The Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) listed on the certification label is incorrect, which can allow the vehicle to be overloaded. As such,…
The risk: An overloaded vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will install new labels, free of charge. Additionally, Nissan will mail replacement labels to owners. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed September 2, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final…
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-…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Nissan Armada, 2011-2013 Infiniti QX56, and 2014-2027 QX80 vehicles equipped with 22" wheels. The Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) listed on the certification label is incorrect, which can allow the vehicle to be overloaded. As such,…
The risk: An overloaded vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will install new labels, free of charge. Additionally, Nissan will mail replacement labels to owners. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed September 2, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Nissan Armada, 2011-2013 Infiniti QX56, and 2014-2027 QX80 vehicles equipped with 22" wheels. The Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) listed on the certification label is incorrect, which can allow the vehicle to be overloaded. As such,…
The risk: An overloaded vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will install new labels, free of charge. Additionally, Nissan will mail replacement labels to owners. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed September 2, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final…
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-…
Buyer analysis
Infiniti QX80 or Infiniti Q50: which should you buy?
The Infiniti QX80 has far fewer complaints per year (7.8 vs. 31.8) and fewer crash-related reports (3 vs. 27). In practice, this means QX80 owners report fewer safety-related defects and may spend less time dealing with repairs. However, both vehicles have notable issues, so a thorough inspection is essential.
Key differences
- The QX80 averages 7.8 complaints per year, while the Q50 averages 31.8, indicating a much higher reported problem rate for the Q50.
- The Q50 has 27 crash-related complaints and 12 injuries, compared to 3 crashes and 2 injuries for the QX80, suggesting more severe safety incidents in the Q50.
- QX80 complaints center on electrical and infotainment glitches, while Q50 complaints often involve engine power loss, transmission failures, and steering problems.
- Both have air bag complaints, but the Q50 also has numerous steering and power train issues that can affect control and drivability.
- Check for infotainment and Apple CarPlay functionality, including USB-C ports, as failures are commonly reported.
- Test the forward collision avoidance system for unintended braking, especially on varied road surfaces, and ensure no air bag warning lights are present.
- Look for any signs of engine power loss or hesitation during a test drive, and check for stored check engine codes.
- Inspect the steering for stiffness or locking, and verify that air bag warning lights are not illuminated.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models.
- Have a mechanic inspect the electrical system, including battery health and infotainment functions, on the QX80.
- For the Q50, perform a thorough test drive focusing on engine acceleration, transmission shifting, and steering responsiveness.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for engine and transmission services on the Q50.
- Verify that all safety systems, including air bags and forward collision warning, are operational before purchase.
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 QX80 | Infiniti Q50 |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | 0 |
| 2023 | 2 | 8 |
| 2022 | 1 | 1 |
| 2021 | 7 | 6 |
| 2020 | 6 | 3 |
| 2019 | 20 | 30 |
| 2018 | 9 | 43 |
| 2017 | 17 | 62 |
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 QX80 or Infiniti Q50 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Infiniti QX80 vs Infiniti Q50
- Infiniti QX80 total complaints
- 78
- Infiniti Q50 total complaints
- 318
- Infiniti QX80 total recalls
- 19
- Infiniti Q50 total recalls
- 18
- Infiniti QX80 avg complaints/year
- 7.8
- Infiniti Q50 avg complaints/year
- 31.8
- More reliable overall
- Infiniti QX80
- Infiniti QX80 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Infiniti Q50 top complaint area
- ENGINE