VehicleVerdict

2015 Infiniti Q50 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 181 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.2 times the median Q50 year — the 2015 model ranks #2 of 10 Q50 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 14 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across transmission (37), steering (26), and speed control (20), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

181

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

22

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

14

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2015 compare to other Q50 years?

Q50 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2015 highlighted255 complaints2014: 255 complaints2015: 181 complaints2016: 57 complaints2017: 91 complaints2018: 64 complaints2019: 55 complaints2020: 5 complaints2021: 6 complaints2022: 1 complaints2023: 9 complaints
Q50 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2015 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Q50 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2015 Infiniti Q50 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission3720%
Steering2614%
Speed Control2011%
Airbags1910%
Electrical System1910%
Other179%
Brakes127%
Engine106%
Seat Belts42%
Tires & Wheels42%
Lighting32%
Fuel System32%
Seats32%
Body & Structure21%
Visibility & Wipers11%
Driver Assistance11%

Does the 2015 Infiniti Q50 have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

24V470000TransmissionJune 21, 2024 · 7,222 units

Defect

Nissan North America, Inc. (INFINITI) is recalling certain 2011-2013 M56, 2012-2013 M35 Hybrid, 2014-2018 Q50, Q70 Hybrid, 2014-2019 Q70, and 2015-2019 Q70L two-wheel drive vehicles. The driveshaft can fatigue and break.

Consequence

A broken driveshaft can result in a loss of drive power, or a vehicle roll away when the vehicle is in park without the parking brake applied. Both scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the driveshaft, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 13, 2024. Owners may contact INFINITI's customer service at 1-800-662-6200. INFINITI's numbers for this recall are R24A5 and R24A7.

16V430000SteeringJune 13, 2016 · 28,182 units

Defect

Nissan North America, Inc.'s (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Infiniti Q50 vehicles manufactured December 26, 2012, to December 11, 2015, and Infiniti Q50 Hybrid vehicles manufactured December 10, 2012, to December 17, 2015. The Direct Adaptive Steering system may experience an error at vehicle start up altering the vehicle's steering responsiveness and turning radius.

Consequence

If the vehicle does not steer as the driver anticipates, there is an increased the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Direct Adaptive Steering ECU software, free of charge. The recall began on August 12, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

16V244000AirbagsApril 26, 2016 · 3,296,947 units

Defect

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2013-2016 Nissan Altima, NV200, LEAF, Sentra, and Pathfinder, 2014-2016 Nissan NV200 Taxi, Infiniti QX60, QX60 Hybrid, and Q50 Hybrid, 2014-2017 Nissan Rogue and Infiniti Q50, 2015-2016 Nissan Murano, Murano Hybrid, and Chevrolet City Express, 2014-2015 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid, and 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles. In these vehicles, the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) may incorrectly classify an adult passenger as a child or classify the seat as empty despite it being occupied. As a result, the passenger frontal air bag may be turned off and not deploy in the event of a crash.

Consequence

If the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an increased risk of injury.

Remedy

Nissan will notify their owners. Chevrolet City Express owners will be notified by General Motors. Dealers will reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) and OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU) in Altima, Maxima, Murano, Rogue, and Sentra vehicles, and replace the OCS ECU in LEAF, NV200, NV200 Taxi, Pathfinder, Infiniti Q50, JX35, and QX60 and Chevrolet City Express vehicles, free of charge. Interim notices were sent to owners on May 31, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669, Infiniti customer service at 1-888-833-3216 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“The contact owns a 2015 Infiniti Q50. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle began to overheat and smoke was present coming from under the hood. After stopping to inspect the vehicle the contact opened the hood and flames were present in the engine compartment. The…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 10, 2023 · fire

“I was driving and tried to turn but had lost complete control of the steering and hit the curb infront. Luckily i was only going 5-10 MPH so the impact was not terrible. My biggest concern is a lot of times my mother drives that car who is permanently disabled in one hand so I can only fear what…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · October 2, 2022 · crash

“The valve body went bad at 164k miles. Im not the only one. On all the forums and fb groups im on, there are hundreds of valv bodys going bad on the q50s for this general area of the year. On my facebook group i have seen 4 people in the past 2 days with theirs going out. Code p0720. Mine is being…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · August 5, 2024

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 INFINITI Q50. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, A DEER COLLIDED WITH THE VEHICLE AND LANDED ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE HOOD, WINDSHIELD, AND ROOF. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SCRATCHES ON HER BODY FROM THE BROKEN CLASS, BUT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · June 11, 2016 · crash

“YOUR FORM DOESN'T WORK FOR ME. ALL SYSTEMS WERE AFFECTED. I TOTALED MY CAR WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL, IN CRUISE CONTROL, AND I HIT A PUDDLE. THE CAR ACCELERATED INTO THE MEDIAN. I WAS NO LONGER A DRIVER; I WAS A PASSENGER.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 22, 2016 · crash

2015 Infiniti Q50 — common questions

Is the 2015 Infiniti Q50 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 181 complaints put the 2015 model at #2 of 10 Q50 years. It is one of the Q50 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2015 Q50 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (37 complaints), steering (26 complaints), speed control (20 complaints).

Does the 2015 Infiniti Q50 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2015 Infiniti Q50. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Infiniti Q50 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Q50 years to avoid are 2014, 2015, 2017. The cleanest record among Q50 years belongs to 2022.

How safe is the 2015 Infiniti Q50?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2015 Infiniti Q50 earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.