VehicleVerdict

2016 Infiniti Q50 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2016 Infiniti Q50 sits mid-pack among Q50 years: 57 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 56, with 4 recalls and no defect investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (9), engine (9), and steering (6), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

57

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2016 compare to other Q50 years?

Q50 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 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, 2016 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Q50 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2016 Infiniti Q50 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System916%
Engine916%
Steering611%
Driver Assistance59%
Airbags59%
Fuel System47%
Transmission47%
Seat Belts35%
Speed Control35%
Other24%
Body & Structure24%
Tires & Wheels24%
Visibility & Wipers12%
Brakes12%
Seats12%

Does the 2016 Infiniti Q50 have recalls?

4 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.

17V476000Electrical SystemJuly 27, 2017 · 14,192 units

Defect

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Infiniti Q50 and 2017 Infiniti Q60 vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine. Incorrect Fuel Pump Control Module (FPCM) software may allow the fuel level in the main tank to be too low to supply fuel to the engine, causing the engine to stall while driving.

Consequence

An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Nissan will notify owners, and Infiniti dealers will reprogram the Fuel Pump Control Module (FPCM) with corrected software, free of charge. The recall began August 29, 2017. Owners may contact Infiniti customer service at 1-800-662-6200.

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.

“Something happened to cause power loss. I checked the recalls and work that was supposed to be performed but didn’t get done like it was supposed to. I need to have it checked now asap! I see 2 engine replacements and also the turbos and 2 of the catalytic converters. The last 2 need replacing as…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 3, 2026

“Something happened to cause power loss. I checked the recalls and work that was supposed to be performed but didn’t get done like it was supposed to. I need to have it checked now asap! I see 2 engine replacements and also the turbos and 2 of the catalytic converters. The last 2 need replacing as…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 3, 2026

“Passenger seat light remain on for 4 months the went away. Then the airbag light came on. Took it to Infiniti of Tampa where they supposedly done diagnostics. They cause additional lights to appear on my dashboard to include the steering hard to turn. When I purchased the vehicle in October 2016 I…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · December 2, 2024

“Passenger seat light remain on for 4 months the went away. Then the airbag light came on. Took it to Infiniti of Tampa where they supposedly done diagnostics. They cause additional lights to appear on my dashboard to include the steering hard to turn. When I purchased the vehicle in October 2016 I…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · December 2, 2024

“The contact owns a 2016 Infiniti Q50. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V244000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that the VIN was not…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · May 14, 2023

2016 Infiniti Q50 — common questions

Is the 2016 Infiniti Q50 reliable?

It is close to typical for the Q50: 57 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2016 Q50 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (9 complaints), engine (9 complaints), steering (6 complaints).

Does the 2016 Infiniti Q50 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2016 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.

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.