Infiniti Q50 engine failure problems

Filed Jul 20, 2026 · Engine · MA

My 2016 Q50 was driving strangely, but no indicator light came on the dashboard. I took the vehicle to the dealer where I purchased it and was told that the engine is dying. No other information was given to me. I called the service advisor asking what in particular was wrong with my car, but he said he wasn't sure. I took issue with the fact that my engine died, and no warning lights what-so-ever showed on the dash. I would only take my car to the dealer for repairs, maintenance and oil changes. I also learned that cars should not go beyond 3,000 miles for an oil change, but for some reason Infiniti oil changes were 10,000 miles in between. I believe this could be a reason the engine died...there was never an oil change indicator light illuminated as well. I feel that Infiniti is responsible for an engine dying on a vehicle with less than 100,000 miles on it.

Filed Jun 13, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · GA

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 well or it’s not going to be right.

Filed May 18, 2026 · Engine · AZ

own a 2019 Infiniti Q50 3.0t Sport with approximately 80,000 miles. The vehicle began experiencing engine knocking/ticking noises, rough idle, hesitation under acceleration, shaking, and intermittent misfire symptoms. The issue continued even after replacing spark plugs and ignition components. The dealership/mechanic reported possible internal engine damage and metal shavings in the oil, indicating potential failure of internal engine components. The vehicle has been regularly maintained with oil changes completed on schedule. This appears to be a widespread issue affecting many Infiniti and Nissan vehicles equipped with the VR30 3.0 twin-turbo engine. Numerous owners online report similar symptoms including engine knocking, turbo failure, metal contamination, loss of power, and premature engine failure at relatively low mileage. The issue creates a serious safety concern because the vehicle can lose power, hesitate during acceleration, or potentially fail while driving in traffic or on highways. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate repeated engine failures involving the VR30 engine platform used in Infiniti Q50/Q60 and related vehicles.”

Filed Apr 9, 2026 · Engine · GA

The vehicle experienced a failure while driving, producing heavy smoke and requiring the car to be stopped immediately. The “Low Oil Pressure – Stop Vehicle” warning light illuminated on 2/19/2026. The vehicle was subsequently taken to an Infiniti dealership for inspection. Upon evaluation, the dealer determined that both turbochargers have failed and are leaking oil. The turbochargers are covered under an existing warranty extension; however, the engine has failed also. The vehicle experienced a catastrophic engine failure at approximately 50,230 miles, after which both the engine and turbochargers were replaced under warranty with the cause listed as undetermined. Both the original and replacement engines have now failed in the same manner, with turbochargers leaking oil and producing visible smoke, indicating a likely recurring defect or unresolved underlying issue. The replacement engine failed after only 40,000 miles, further raising reliability concerns. Infiniti quality actions (P4A05 and P4A06) identify turbocharger oil leakage as a known issue, aligning with the current failure. The dealership has confirmed the turbochargers are leaking oil but will only replace them if a full engine replacement is authorized by me at a cost of $15,556.49.

Filed Feb 28, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · FL

Shortly after purchasing the vehicle, I began experiencing serious performance issues. While driving, the vehicle suddenly lost power, would not accelerate properly, and warning lights appeared on the dashboard. The vehicle eventually shut off while in operation. The vehicle was inspected by a dealership, which initially stated there were no issues. However, the problem continued and worsened. The vehicle was then inspected by an authorized Infiniti dealership, where technicians identified a consistent knocking noise coming from the engine. The dealership indicated that the noise is consistent with internal engine damage and recommended further inspection and likely engine replacement. The issue developed very shortly after purchase, and there were no prior indications that the vehicle had been damaged or misused. The sudden loss of power and engine failure created a potential safety hazard, especially while driving in traffic, as the vehicle was unable to accelerate and could have led to a dangerous situation. The vehicle is currently available for inspection, and the issue has been confirmed by a certified dealership. The cause of the failure is currently under further evaluation.

Filed Jan 7, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · CA

Filing this complaint regarding a safety-related defect involving the turbocharger system on my 2018 INFINITI Q50. The vehicle has approximately 46,000 miles and is 8 years old. INFINITI/Nissan has acknowledged through its own Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) that turbocharger failure on 2016–2018 Q50 3.0T vehicles is a known defect. Nissan’s documentation identifies issues such as turbo oil seal leaks, reduced engine power, smoke, and potential catastrophic engine failure, and provides an extended warranty of up to 10 years or 120,000 miles due to the safety risks associated with sudden power loss. My vehicle experienced turbocharger failure consistent with these known defects, resulting in loss of engine power, which presents a serious safety hazard, particularly during highway driving, merging, or intersections. Sudden loss of propulsion increases crash risk and endangers vehicle occupants and others on the road. In some cases, turbo failure can occur with little or no warning, further increasing risk. The failure was confirmed by INFINITI/Nissan service departments, and the vehicle remains available for inspection. CarMax insurance approved the engine repair, acknowledging mechanical failure; however, they declined to approve turbocharger repair specifically because INFINITI has issued a known TSB and extended warranty covering turbo failure, deferring responsibility to the manufacturer. Despite the vehicle being within the extended warranty limits, Nissan denied coverage, claiming the vehicle has a “branded title.” This claim is unsupported by VIN reports, the loan originator, and CarMax’s own title search prior to leasing all confirm the title is not branded. Nissan has provided no documentation supporting its assertion. Nissan N.A. reviewed and closed the matter despite the known safety defect and lack of evidence for the title claim. Represents a safety-related defect and improper denial of a manufacturer-recognized safety remedy, warranting the federal safety agency review.

Filed Oct 31, 2025 · Brakes, Engine · IL

The engine and turbo system failed in my 2017 Infiniti Q50 Signature Edition (VIN [XXX] ). The vehicle remains at CarMax Naperville, where it has been since March 2025. Internal repair orders show CarMax performed two failed inspections in August 2020 before selling the vehicle as “CarMax Certified” on September 3, 2020. The vehicle should not have passed certification. Shortly after purchasing the vehicle, I noticed it was pulling hard to the right. During my first tire rotation and oil change, the technician informed me that all four tires were severely dry-rotted and unsafe to drive on. CarMax had represented the vehicle as fully inspected and road-ready. These conditions suggest the vehicle had sat for an extended period after a prior four-point accident and should have never been certified for sale. None of this was disclosed to me at purchase. In March 2025, the engine failed. CarMax later reported that a replacement engine was installed, part #10102-6HN3A (single-turbo) instead of the required #10102-5CH2D (twin-turbo VR30DDTT). This engine does not match the original factory specifications for my VIN. Infiniti of Naperville confirmed that my vehicle qualifies for a free extended turbo and engine warranty (TSB P4A05/P4A06), but CarMax declined to use the required OEM one-time-use parts, voiding that coverage. CarMax has refused to provide inspection reports, diagnostic data, emissions test results, or engine serial numbers despite over forty written requests. I have no documentation confirming what work was performed or whether the vehicle is safe or compliant with emissions standards. The car has now been sitting at CarMax for over seven months, with rusted brakes and unknown mechanical condition. They are just concerned about me coming to get the car. This raises serious concerns about safety, emissions compliance, and potential consumer fraud involving improper certification and undisclosed prior damage. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 15, 2025 · Brakes, Engine · 88,000 miles · NY

The contact's son owns a 2018 Infiniti Q50. The contact stated that soon after purchasing the vehicle, there was an abnormal screeching sound coming from the brakes while depressing the brake pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact's son took the vehicle to an independent mechanic to have the brake pads and rotors replaced. However, less than one month after the replacement of the pads and rotors, there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the front passenger’s side brakes. The mechanic was notified of the issue, and the contact was informed that the brake calipers might also need to be replaced. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the engine temperature gauge indicated that the engine was hot(H), with white smoke coming from the exhaust pipes. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic, but the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic and the contact's son was informed that the head gasket had failed, and an engine replacement was recommended. The dealer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that there were no recalls or warranty on the vehicle. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and provided the same information as the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.

Filed Aug 22, 2025 · Engine · NY

Recently, the turbochargers on my vehicle failed prematurely and had to be replaced. Shortly after this repair, and with the vehicle still under 60,000 miles, the engine exploded and failed while driving. This incident posed a severe safety hazard not only to me but to other drivers and pedestrians as I lost propulsion and had to swerve to the shoulder to avoid oncoming traffic. Fortunately, no one was injured, but the sudden failure could have led to a much worse outcome as not only did it fail but hot oil and coolant both poured out of the hole in the engine creating a hazard. I believe this failure is not only unacceptable for a vehicle with such relatively low mileage, but it may indicate a systemic or design flaw, particularly if turbo and engine failure is a recurring issue among other owners of this make and model. I am aware of Infiniti’s current engine recall for select vehicles for premature engine failure and would like to know should this be extended to Q50 model.

Filed Aug 21, 2025 · Engine · FL

While driving, my vehicle suddenly shut off without warning. After restarting, the vehicle would not accelerate over 40 miles per hour. I had the vehicle inspected by the dealership, and they informed me that the engine oil filter contained metal debris. The dealership explained that the presence of metallic particles in the filter could indicate internal engine wear or damage, and they recommended a full engine replacement at a cost of approximately $20,000. At this time, I have not been shown the filter or the debris, but I was advised that this condition may require further diagnosis and possible engine repair or replacement.