NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
The driveshaft can develop fatigue cracks and break, potentially causing loss of power to the wheels.
What the fix does
The driveshaft will be replaced at no cost to you.
This page covers 10 recalls, 189 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2014 Infiniti Q50.
22–31 mpg combined
7.6–10.7 L/100km
Midsize Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 4 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Steering complaints dominate the 2014 Q50 owner complaint picture by a wide margin. Owners frequently report the electric power steering system behaving erratically, descriptions include a steering wheel that feels loose or disconnected, unexpected locking or misalignment while driving, and abnormal knocking when turning. Several owners report the wheel freezing in an off-center position or requiring manual intervention to move the steering column. Electrical system complaints make up the second-largest group, with owners describing various warning lights, module faults, and systems that stop responding without obvious cause. Airbag-related complaints round out the top three, though at a lower volume. A recurring thread across steering reports is that the problems appear without any dashboard warning, leaving drivers with little advance notice before the handling changes.
189
Total Complaints
14
Crash-Related
2
Fire-Related
7
With Injuries
By System
The 2014 Infiniti Q50 has 10 recalls, the most serious involving the steer-by-wire Direct Adaptive Steering system, which can lose function entirely or behave unpredictably on startup, leaving the driver with reduced or no steering control.
Several recalls affect hybrid models specifically. The throttle can reopen unexpectedly and cause gradual unintended acceleration. A communication error between the electric motor inverter and the transmission control module can cut drive power while running in electric-only mode. The transmission housing on some hybrid vehicles may crack and shed fragments onto the road while also disabling the vehicle. There is also a driveshaft recall covering two-wheel drive models where the shaft can fatigue and break, causing loss of drive power or a rollaway when parked without the parking brake applied.
On the safety equipment side, the front passenger seat sensor may incorrectly read an occupied seat as empty and silently deactivate the passenger airbag without triggering any warning light, meaning the airbag would not deploy in a crash.
At a glance
What can fail
The driveshaft can develop fatigue cracks and break, potentially causing loss of power to the wheels.
What the fix does
The driveshaft will be replaced at no cost to you.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Direct Adaptive Steering system may malfunction at startup, causing the steering to respond unpredictably and affecting how sharply the vehicle turns.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the steering system's computer software at no cost to restore normal steering function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger seat's occupant detection system may incorrectly identify an adult as a child or miss an occupied seat. This can cause the passenger airbag to stay off during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram or replace the occupant detection and airbag control units to ensure proper airbag operation.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger seat occupant detection system software may incorrectly identify an occupied seat as empty, causing the passenger airbag to turn off without warning. If a crash occurs, the airbag won't deploy when needed, increasing injury risk.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the occupant classification system software to correct the detection issue.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The transmission housing may have been damaged during manufacturing, allowing cracks to form that could fracture and scatter debris onto the road.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the transmission and replace the assembly if cracks are found.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A communication error between the electric motor inverter and transmission control module may cause the electric motor to stop during electric-only mode operation, resulting in loss of power and illuminating a warning lamp.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the vehicle's software to correct the communication error between these components.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error in the engine control module causes the throttle to partially close if a throttle position sensor signal is lost. If the signal returns, the throttle may open unexpectedly regardless of the actual sensor position.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the engine control module at no cost to fix the software error.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The transmission housing may have cracks from manufacturing defects, which could cause transmission failure.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect your transmission and replace it if cracks are found, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
In freezing temperatures, the power steering software may shut down the electric steering system and delay activation of the mechanical steering backup, leaving the vehicle without power steering.
What the fix does
Software update applied by Infiniti retailers to restore proper power steering function in cold conditions. Service provided at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
In cold weather, the Direct Adaptive Steering system may malfunction when starting, delaying or preventing the mechanical backup steering from engaging. This can result in loss of steering control.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the Direct Adaptive Steering module to correct the cold-weather startup malfunction.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
