4 Best & Worst Infiniti Q50 Years (Stats & Examples)

The Infiniti Q50 was produced by Nissan under its luxury brand, Infiniti, and this particular sedan debuted in 2013.

One major highlight of the Q50 was that it was the first hybrid model at its entry level, but it was excluded from the 2019 model.

Some other remarkable features of Q50 include its standard leather upholstery, standard interior control, and revving engines. Anyway, let’s explore its best and worst years.

The Best and Worst Years for the Infiniti Q50 Are:

We consider the 2014 and 2015 Infiniti as the worst years of this model as they were many complaints as well as recalls concerning them.

On the other hand, the best years of the Infiniti Q50 are the 2020 and 2021 models as they had little or no complaints regarding their usage. Now let’s tentatively discuss each year.

What Infiniti Q50 Years Should You Avoid?

The worst years of the Q5O have to be the 2014 and 2015 models as they had the highest number of complaints ranging from tire problems to brake issues, steering problems, airbag deployment problems, etc.

These models also had the highest number of recalls for airbag and steering issues. Let’s individually look into each of these problems.

2015 Infiniti Q50

Below is the list of problems found in this model.

Premature Tire Wear

A number of complaints have been stated about the 2015 Q50 tires that they wear too quickly and owners have had to change them just after a few thousand miles.

This brings us to the conclusion that the tires used were below standard and thus, had shorter life spans.

Shorter lifespans in terms of splitting at the rim without any warning or losing their threads so quickly. Owners have no choice but to change the tires as soon as possible because it could put them at risk on the highway. 

Another downside to this failure was that the replacement cost was alarming, as one standard tire could cost as much as $350.

When we multiply that by four or two depending on the owner’s need, the price could run up to $1000 excluding the service of the mechanics.

However, it is recommended that owners facing these problems should opt for tires with the best quality materials to avoid visiting the repair shop too often. Although it would cost a few more dollars, it is totally worth it.

Steering Issues 

The steering problem was another issue that ravaged the 2015 Q50 model. Most of these complaints were associated with the power assist feature.

This feature is basically a mechanical device that draws power from the engine in order to assist drivers to steer the wheels effortlessly. It reduces the steering efforts needed to turn the vehicle, especially at a much lower speed.

However, with this failure, it became considerably difficult to turn the vehicle and also keep it under the same level of control.

Because of these issues, two recalls were issued to resolve this problem before it causes a more heightened hazard.

That’s because it was reported that this error alters the steering response of the vehicle and it becomes difficult to put under control because the vehicle steers unexpectedly.

Thankfully, this recall by Nissan covered the 2014 to 2016 models that also had a direct problem with their adaptive steering response.

Airbag Problem

The airbag deployment issue was a serious problem for the Infiniti Q50. This problem was directly linked to the Occupant Classification System (OCS).

It ordinarily works in combination with the vehicle’s sensors at the front passenger seats.

These sensors help to identify the presence of any passengers and if the airbags should be enabled. However, the system in the Q50 wrongly identifies the seat as being empty and therefore, deactivates the airbags.

This error poses a great risk to passengers and fortunately, Nissan issued a recall to address this problem and fix the error. It is very crucial to check if your vehicle was included in this recall especially if you bought a used model.

Brake Pads Problem 

Wearing brake pads was another infuriating issue that affected the Q50.

It was stated that these pads wear out in as little as 5,000 miles and owners have no choice but to replace them as often as possible or else it could damage more compartments such as the brake rotor or caliper.

This replacement sometimes costs as much as $150 to $300 as stated by AutoZone.

2014 Infiniti Q50

Below is the list of problems found on the 2014 Infiniti Q50

Power Steering Failure 

This failure led to the second recall of the Infiniti Q50 but it was narrowed down to only the 2014 models.

It was prevalent during winter particularly when the engine compartment was freezing because of the cold. The power steering feature then disabled the electric steering system.

The electric power steering simply uses an electric motor to control the steering commands of the driver.

Any error in this system disrupts the smooth control of the wheels and it could adversely increase the risk of accidents and severe injuries.

Master Cylinder Failure

The master cylinder is firstly the central compartment of your vehicle’s braking system and without this compartment, your brakes cannot function.

This component is responsible for driving pressure generated by the brake pedals to the braking mechanism at your vehicle’s wheel.

The cylinder converts the foot pressure into hydraulic pressure that passes through the brake lines. Any damage or leaks to this component causes this part to deteriorate and increases the pressure needed for your braking.

Over time, if this problem is not dealt with, it will gradually increase the stopping time of your vehicle and so also the risk of crashes.

The major solution to this problem is to replace the damaged cylinder and this should cost you between $300 to $700 according to repair smith.

It is advised to be on the lookout for this problem, especially if you’re driving the used model or if the vehicle has passed the 100,000-mile mark.

Infotainment Issues 

This problem was linked directly to the Infiniti InTouch screen and many owners complained that what they ordered differed from what they got.

They complained that this component wasn’t functioning properly.

Some stated that their volume control was not responding, some others complained about the slow booting of the whole system and some mentioned that their app for more remote control, just never downloaded.

Unfortunately, this problem has not been sufficiently resolved and owners might just have to live with the problems.

What Infiniti Q50 Years Are The Most Reliable?

Other models of the Infiniti Q50 are reliable years, but we’ll consider the 2020 and 2021 models as the best years for the Infiniti Q50.

These models have been on the market for about two and three years, but they still have very few complaints and zero recalls.

2021 Infiniti Q50

The 2021 Q50 is equipped with a standard turbocharged v6 engine paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission which produces 300 horsepower.

The steering feel of the 2021 model is light but not very responsive even with its Direct Adaptive Steering which is a much-suited feature for a responsive feel.

It doesn’t provide a progressive effort, especially during hard cornering.

However, this model is fully equipped with a lot of driver’s assistance technology but most of these features are fully available only on the higher trims. 

Nevertheless, some of its key features still include:

• Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
• Available blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert
• Available lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist

For its infotainment, the Infiniti screen is somehow tricky to navigate through because most of the controls are jam-packed. The screen is divided into two sections and each has its different functions.

Luckily, the system has a responsive touch and both screens have matching fonts. It would have been such a disappointing one if they weren’t.

2020 Infiniti Q50

The 2020 Infiniti Q50 has a predicted reliability score of 81 out of 100. This model comes equipped with a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 engine that delivers 300 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque.

However, with this remarkable engine option, the handling capability and steering feel are a bit disappointing. The front seats are adequately cushioned, so, feels comfortable even on long drives.

The rear seats are decently comfortable as well but the handling of the car may ruffle such comfort.

Moving forward to its safety features, this luxury model has never felt so safe because its available ProAssist package is equipped with a plethora of driver assistance features.

Ranging from the Blind Spot Warning to the Front and Rear Parking Sensors and a Moving Object Detection.

It also comes with a ProActive Package that includes:

• Blind Spot Intervention
• Lane Departure Prevention 
• Active Lane Control.
• Cruise Control 

Its infotainment system works hand in hand with INFINITI Voice Recognition. If you need any directions, just speak to your vehicle and it will display the best route to pass through.

However, as stated earlier, for the 2021 version, the Infiniti infotainment screen is difficult to navigate through.

It is even worse for the 2020 version because the dual screen is a patchwork of mismatched fonts, resolutions, and menus. We can’t begin to imagine the frustration of the users. 

What Are Some Typical Problems With The Infiniti Q50 Models?

Below is a spotlighted list of some typical problems found with the Infiniti Q50:

• Brake pads problems
• Tires wearing out too often
• Steering issues
• Airbag Problems

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ⓘ  The information in this article is based on data from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall reports, consumer complaints submitted to the NHTSA, reliability ratings from J.D. Power, auto review and rating sites such as Edmunds, specialist forums, etc. We analyzed this data to provide insights into the best and worst years for these vehicle models.