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 5 recalls, 35 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2016 Infiniti Q50.
22–30 mpg combined
7.8–10.7 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 6 tested variants for this model year.
For the 2016 Infiniti Q50, engine and steering complaints make up the largest share of what owners report. On the engine side, owners describe a range of failures including turbocharger oil leaks accompanied by heavy smoke, sudden loss of power with the check engine light illuminating, and coolant mixing with oil due to what owners describe as a porous engine block, the latter leading to bearing failure in some cases, sometimes at relatively low mileage. Electrical issues also come up, with a handful of owners reporting complete loss of vehicle power while driving, sometimes after earlier signs of battery trouble. The airbag category draws a few complaints centered on the passenger seat occupant sensor failing and triggering the airbag warning light without any prior collision. Steering complaints round out the picture, though the reported symptoms there are less consistent across the group.
35
Total Complaints
1
Crash-Related
1
With Injuries
By System
The 2016 Infiniti Q50 has 5 recalls, the most serious being a driveshaft that can fatigue and break, causing sudden loss of drive power or allowing the vehicle to roll away when parked without the parking brake applied.
Two recalls involve the fuel pump control module software, both affecting 2.0L-equipped models: incorrect software can allow the fuel level in the main tank to drop too low to feed the engine, and a separate but related issue can prevent fuel from transferring from the sub tank to the main tank. Either way, the engine can stall while driving. On the steering side, the Direct Adaptive Steering system can encounter an error at startup that alters steering responsiveness and turning radius, causing the vehicle to handle differently than the driver expects. There is also a passenger airbag concern: a fault in the passenger seat occupant classification sensor can cause the front passenger airbag to not deploy correctly in a crash, raising the risk of injury to that occupant.
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.
We may earn a commission for purchases made through these links.
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 fuel pump control software may incorrectly read the fuel tank level, allowing it to drop too low to supply the engine, causing the engine to stall while driving.
What the fix does
Infiniti dealers will reprogram the fuel pump control module software with a corrected version at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel pump control software uses an incorrect pressure map, which may prevent the pressure regulator from opening. This can leave the main fuel tank too low, starving the engine of fuel and causing loss of power.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the Fuel Pump Control Module software to correct the pressure map.
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.
