Transport CanadaCritical
At a glance
What can fail
Certain 1.5L or 2.0L variable compression engines may have manufacturing defects, causing abnormal engine noises and warning lights. Continued driving could lead to complete engine failure.
This page covers 5 recalls, 128 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2019 Infiniti Qx50.
26–27 mpg combined
8.7–9 L/100km
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
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 2 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The 2019 QX50 generates complaints concentrated around the engine and drivetrain. Owners frequently report engine failures, with several describing complete engine replacements and turbocharger failures, sometimes more than once on the same vehicle. Unusual noises from the engine are a recurring symptom, often without any warning light appearing beforehand. The forward collision avoidance system draws the second-largest cluster of complaints, with owners describing the system triggering unexpected hard braking at highway speeds with no actual obstacle present. A single report mentions the sunroof shattering at highway speed, but that appears isolated rather than a pattern across multiple complaints. The engine-related issues account for the bulk of complaints filed for this model year, and the turbocharger failures in particular show up repeatedly across different owners' accounts.
128
Total Complaints
3
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
2
With Injuries
By System
The 2019 Infiniti QX50 has 5 recalls, the most serious being a manufacturing defect in the variable compression engine that can cause the engine to fail, cutting power to the wheels and raising the risk of fire or a crash.
This engine concern covers vehicles equipped with the 1.5L or 2.0L VC-Turbo engine. Before failure, the engine may produce abnormal noises and trigger a warning light. If the engine bearings fail, they can breach the engine block and allow hot oil to escape, which can ignite. Prior repair attempts did not fully resolve the issue, and the defect spans multiple production years.
On the safety equipment side, the passenger-side knee airbag has a trim cover that can detach during deployment in very cold temperatures rather than splitting cleanly at its designed tear seam. When the cover flies loose instead of separating in a controlled way, it becomes a projectile inside the cabin that can injure the front passenger. This concern is grouped from two filings describing the same defect.
The remaining recall involves the backup camera, which can fail to display an image when the vehicle is in reverse. Without that view behind the vehicle, the driver loses the visibility assist the system is designed to provide, raising the risk of a collision with objects or people behind the car.
At a glance
What can fail
Certain 1.5L or 2.0L variable compression engines may have manufacturing defects, causing abnormal engine noises and warning lights. Continued driving could lead to complete engine failure.
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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 →
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect your engine and replace it if necessary. Some vehicles will also receive an engine control module update.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Engine bearings may have manufacturing defects that can cause the engine to fail.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the engine control module software at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The backup camera display settings can be changed so the rear view image disappears. The system saves this setting, so the rear view remains hidden when you shift into reverse.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the backup camera software settings at no cost to restore proper rear visibility functionality.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The trim cover on the passenger-side knee airbag may detach when the airbag deploys in very cold temperatures, creating a potential injury risk.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger-side knee airbag module and its trim cover.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
In very cold temperatures, the passenger-side knee air bag trim cover may separate from the air bag module during a crash instead of splitting at its designed seam.
What the fix does
Retailers will replace the passenger-side knee air bag module at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
