Infiniti QX50
Reliability, NHTSA Complaints & Recall History
10 model years analyzed (2016–2026). All data sourced directly from the NHTSA public complaints and recall database — the same data used by federal regulators.
Checking a specific Infiniti QX50? Run a VIN check for its exact history.
⭐ NHTSA NCAP Crash Test Ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
AI Interpretation
High ConfidenceBelow AverageThe INFINITI QX50 has 243 NHTSA complaints across 10 model years (2016–2026), with the highest volume in 2019 (128 complaints). Engine-related issues dominate, accounting for over half of all complaints. There are 11 recalls and 9 crash-related complaints, suggesting some safety concerns but not a systemic safety defect.
- Engine and engine cooling complaints total 127 (86+41), making up 52% of all complaints.
- The 2019 model year has 128 complaints, more than all other years combined.
- Forward collision avoidance and electrical system each have 33 complaints, indicating technology-related issues.
- Engine and engine cooling
- Unknown or other
- Forward collision avoidance
The 2019 model year has 128 complaints, driven primarily by engine issues (86 complaints) and forward collision avoidance problems (33 complaints). This year accounts for over half of all complaints.
Model years 2024–2026 show very few complaints (0–2), which may indicate improved reliability or low exposure. However, data is limited for these newer years.
- Inspect the engine and cooling system thoroughly, as these are the most complained-about components.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for engine, electrical system, and forward collision avoidance repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase, focusing on reported components.
🔔 NHTSA Safety Recalls
11 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
Safety Recall
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Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2016–2026. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
🔧 Most-Reported Problem Areas
Based on component keywords extracted from all 243 NHTSA complaints.
📋 NHTSA Complaint Reports
243 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
Vehicle purchased from dealer 3/5/25 (brand new). Noticed struggle to start/shaking vehicle/weak power, within first week. Malfunction indicator light came on 4/15/25, brought into dealership for testing. Data showed fail/pass misfires upwards of 30 times. Diagnosed as fuel injector pump misfire. Part was replaced and picked up the vehicle 5/8/25. Vehicle misfired again on 5/9/25. Brought into dealership for further testing; service advisor stated that the misfire was "likely due to air in the new pump." Noticeable misfire again on 5/27/25, no malfunction indicator light came on, notified service advisor. 5/30/25 vehicle misfired significantly, malfunction indicator light came on again, brought in for service. 6/11/25 service advisor stated they are doing a "pin fit repair" to refit all the connector pins for the ignition coils. I don't feel safe in this car. It's brand new, and should perform as such. When it misfires, I can barely drive past 30mph. It shakes violently, and I don't know whether it is safe to be driving it. Dealership doesn't seem to understand what the actual problem is.
I was driving from [XXX] to [XXX] on Saturday, March 28th. I started smelling a strong, chemical odor and my eyes started burning and watering, so I pulled off of the highway and found that my back passenger side seat heater had started burning. There was a pillow and a down jacket on the seat that also burned. It really scared me because I was in the middle of nowhere and only had a cup with ice, but luckily there was a mud puddle that I was able to get some water from and pour on the back seat. My granddaughter was riding in that seat in her booster seat the night before. I am thankful she or no one else was in the seat when it burned. There were no warning lights or messages appear - I just smelled the burning. I had to continue to drive the car with the windows down to my son's home in West Virginia, and on Monday, March 30th, we took the car and dropped it off at the nearest Infiniti dealership (Cochran Infiniti in Monroeville, PA). We spoke with the service manager and many employees came to inspect and they all said they had never seen anything like this before. They confirmed there had been no recalls on the vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The system falsely beeps and displays collision alerts even when no vehicles or objects are present. The system has also initiated braking on the highway with no obstacle present, which is a major safety concern for me and for other drivers. Conversely, when an actual vehicle approached too closely, the system failed to alert or respond at all.
Component/system that failed: Panoramic sunroof glass on a 2023 Infiniti QX50. Date of Incident: July 21, 2025 at approximately 8am. Incident description: While my daughter was driving on the interstate at normal speed, the panoramic sunroof suddenly and spontaneously shattered. There was no impact, no visible object, and no warning. The explosion of glass was loud and violent. Safety risk: Thankfully, the sunroof shade was closed at the time of the incident. Had it been open, glass would have rained down inside the cabin, potentially causing serious or even fatal injuries. This was a terrifying failure with high risk to life and safety, particularly at highway speeds. Immediately after the incident I called Infiniti of Memphis where we purchased the vehicle brand new, and it is currently under warranty. I was notified that since there isn’t a current recall anything glass related is not included under warranty and I would need to file a claim under my insurance. We were forced to file a claim through our insurance provider to repair the damage — despite no fault on our part. Warning signs or prior symptoms: There were no warning lights, no abnormal sounds, and no signs of weakness or cracking. The glass failed without warning. Cause: UNKNOWN — but based on public reports, thousands of similar incidents have occurred in other Infiniti and Nissan models. This appears to be part of a known manufacturer defect currently involved in active class-action litigation (Johnson v. Nissan North America) regarding spontaneous sunroof explosions.
Vehicle is prone to stalling while on the road extremely dangerous starting issues after long trips
The contact owns a 2023 Infiniti QX50. The contact stated while driving 28-29 MPH at nighttime, she noticed an animal in the roadway and decelerated. The contact stated that while the vehicle was approximately 2 ft. away from the animal, the vehicle made a loud sound, and the hood popped up and partially covered the windshield. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact stated that she sat on a pillow in the front driver's seat, and she was able to drive to her residence at low speed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer the following morning. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was designed with the Pop-Up Engine Hood For Pedestrian Protection feature, in which the pedestrian safety sensor in the bumper, signaled the hood to pop up while the vehicle was near the animal on the road. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle operated as designed and charged a repair fee for the hood pistons replacement. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and sent a field technician, who diagnosed the vehicle and informed the contact that the vehicle operated as designed. However, the contact stated that based on the Owner's Manual, the feature was designed to pop up the hood in the event of a frontal collision with a pedestrian. The contact stated that the vehicle had not collided with the animal. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 5,200.
The contact owns a 2023 Infiniti QX50. The contact stated that upon pressing the start button and starting the vehicle, the vehicle sputtered. While driving attempting to drive, the vehicle failed to move. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. While driving, the vehicle failed to accelerate properly. There was an abnormally loud grinding sound detected. The contact stated that the vehicle was stuck in first gear. The vehicle was towed back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted by the contact’s attorney. The failure mileage was approximately 62,018.
The Infiniti dealer (BERGLAND Infiniti Roanoke, VA recently inspected the car, 68000m flashing airbag light caused by passenger seat electronics. The part to repair is 12400$
The contact owns a 2017 Infiniti QX50. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger’s side air bag sensor unexpectedly illuminated and failed to turn off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the passenger’s side seat cushion had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was later taken to an independent mechanic, who provided the same diagnosis and informed the contact that the passenger’s seat cushion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact expressed concerns regarding the significant price difference between the dealer's repair cost and the estimate from the independent mechanic. The contact’s spouse was concerned that the failure made the vehicle hazardous to drive. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 89,000.
Engine shut off while driving 45mph with no prior warning
Engine light is on - transmission output speed sensor. Vehicle was inspect by Pep Boys # 208 My vehicle don't want to pick up speed. I don't know what caused the problem.
Last year I had to have the BCM replaced on my infiniti. Here I am a year later and I'm being told that I have to replace the BCM again. The dealer told me that there's water that is literally streaming directly past the module due to the drainage coming from the sunroof. I have no idea why that I happening bring I haven't experienced any leakage from the sunroof. I definitely shouldn't have to replace a BCM 1 year after installation of a new module. Please take look into this issue. I just don't think it's fair that I have to replace another BCM due to the drainage ststem/path on such a luxurious car.
Airbag light came on. Diagnosed by Infinity as code B00AO-02 which requires replacing the Passenger Front Seat Bottom Assembly at the cost estimate of $9871.82 (date of estimate is 1/27/23) according to Infinity. Ethos extended warranty will not cover the issue as well as Infinity. Interesting info: Ethos did cover did not cover this particular make/model. However, after Infinity changed manufacture for above said problem, Ethos now covers the SRS problem described above in their extended warranty. This leads me to the suspicion that 'maybe' Infinity was aware of the problem since they changed manufacturer. THIS IS A CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE! Mileage on the vehicle on 1/27/23 was 9,665 miles. This car is immaculate, never wrecked always garage kept, driven my 86 year old widow. The car is a so called 'high end' luxury vehicle with a sub-par SRS system.
The contact owns a 2017 Infiniti QX50. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH and making a right turn, the vehicle shifted into neutral independently and there was a grinding sound coming from the vehicle. The contact shifted the gear shifter back into drive to resume normal driving. The contact stated that the failure was experienced twice. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer test drove the vehicle but was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Infiniti QX50. The contact stated while driving 65 mph, the moon roof glass shattered without impact. The moon roof shards fell inside the vehicle onto the driver however, there was no injury sustained. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with the moon roof needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 47,110.
SENSOR ON MY HANDLE AND THE KEY QUIT WORKING OVER THIS PAST YEAR MY CAR HAS BEEN AT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR DAYS AND WEEKS AT A TIME FOR THE SAME ISSUE DEALERSHIP HAS CHECK ALL SETTING THEY HAVE CHANGED THE BATTER THREE TIMES IN THE CAR AND TWICE IN THEY HAVE CHANGED THE BATTERY IN THE REMOTE , I'M NOW TOLD THAT THEY JUST CHANGED THE DOOR HANDLE AND WAS TOLD THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT, AND WAS ASKED TO PICK UP THE CAR , I STRESSED THAT I WILL BE OUT OF WARRANTY AND I DON'T WANT TO HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM HEN ITS EXPIRED OR TRANSFER OR SELL TO SOMEONE ELSE TO INHERIT THIS ISSUE. PLEASE NOTE ,THE PUSH BUTTON ON THE HANDLE DO NOT WORK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, AND THE PUSH BUTTON DO NOT WORK ON THE HANDLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE THIS WOULD HAPPEN RANDOMLY EACH TIME I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR QX50 TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE ATTENTION I WAS TOLD THEY WILL NEED TO SEE THE ISSUE SO I PROVIDED THEM WITH THE VIDEO , THIS LAST TIME THEY SEEN IT THEMSELVES AND DECIDED TO HOLD ONTO THE FOR FURTHER RESEARCH , THIS IS WHEN I WAS ASKED TO PICK UP THE CAR IN ITS CONDITION. THEY CANNOT SAY WHY HANDLE SENSOR AND LOCK QUIT WORKING EVEN AFTER RUNNING DIAGNOSTICS. MY GUESS IS THAT SINCE BOTH SIDES AREN'T WORKING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE SENSOR AS BOTH SIDES WOULD HAVE HAD TO FAIL AT THE SAME TIME EACH TIME. *LN*JB
THE CAR DRIFTS ALL OVER THE HIGHWAY AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IT IS AS IF I AM ALWAYS FIGHTING A STRONG WIND. IT IS VERY DISTRACTING AND DANGEROUS. SEEMS LIKE ANYTHING OVER 60MPH IS VERY CHALLENGING TO KEEP BETWEEN THE LINES. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER ON 2/01/2020 AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS NORMAL FOR THESE SPORTS SUV'S. THEY ALL DO IT. VERY DISCOURAGING. THIS WAS NOTICED ABOUT 10,000 MILES AGO AND SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE. THE CAR HAS 43,000 NOW
I WAS DRIVING ON THE GARDEN STATE PARKWAY NORTHBOUND ON THE NEW YORK EXTENSION IN THE EVENING OF MARCH 24TH AT APPROXIMATELY 7:40 PM AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WHEN OUT OF NOWHERE MY MOON ROOF EXPLODED. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO OVERPASS REMOTELY NEAR WHERE THIS OCCURRED. THERE WAS NO OTHER DAMAGE ON THE CAR FORWARD OF THE MOON ROOF AND NO DAMAGE PAST IT ASIDE FROM SCRATCHING CAUSED BY GLASS ON THE ROOF AND REAR SPOILER. THERE WAS NO OBJECT THAT IMPACTED THE VEHICLE IN ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM. BASED ON THE ATTACHED PHOTOS THE GLASS IS PROTRUDING FROM THE ROOF PANEL AS IF IT EXPLODED OUTWARD. THERE IS GLASS RESIDUE ON THE MOON ROOF COVER WHICH INDICATES THAT THE COVER WAS CLOSED AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. FURTHERMORE IF THE COVER WASN'T IN PLACE THE GLASS WOULD HAVE RAINED DOWN INTO THE CABIN AND COULD HAVE HAD SIGNIFICANTLY INJURED MYSELF.
12/12/2017 - DRIVING ON A COUNTY SIDE STREET EAST BOUND, HAD JUST LEFT A 20 MPH SCHOOL ZONE AND ACCELERATED SLIGHTLY. APPLIED BRAKES VERY HARD AT APP 40 MPH WHEN CAR 100 FT. AHEAD STOPPED SUDDENLY. THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN MUCH AT ALL AND A CRASH RESULTED, CAUSING DAMAGE TO BOTH VEHICLES. AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE PAVEMENT WAS DRY BUT THERE WERE NO TIRE MARKS ON THE ROAD. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE AND IS IN REPAIR SHOP.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 INFINITY QX50. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO STOP, THE VEHICLE DID NOT IMMEDIATELY STOP WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. AS A RESULT, A CRASH ALMOST OCCURRED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RAMSEY INFINITI IN RAMSEY, NEW JERSEY, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,500.
Showing 20 of 243 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check a Specific Infiniti QX50
This page shows fleet averages across all 10 model years. Enter a VIN to see the exact accident history, odometer records, title brands, and open recall status for a specific car.
📖 Understanding This Data
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Infiniti QX50 has 243 complaints on record across 10 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Infiniti QX50 has 11 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 9 of the Infiniti QX50's 243 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the AI Rating Calculated?
The AI reliability rating (Below Average) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. The rating provides a plain-English summary for buyers who want a quick verdict without parsing raw numbers. It is one input in your buying decision — always verify with a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Infiniti QX50 vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Infiniti QX50 vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Infiniti QX50 has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.