Infiniti Q50 power steering loss problems

Filed Jun 15, 2026 · Steering · CA

Affected: Steering/Electrical/Direct Adaptive Steering, 50K miles While driving my 2017 Infinity Q50s under normal driving conditions, the vehicle suffered an instantaneous, catastrophic, and total failure of the power steering assist system without any prior warning or dashboard fault indicators. The sudden loss of steering assist immediately caused the steering wheel to become incredibly heavy and virtually locked, requiring extreme, dangerous physical exertion to maintain minimal control over the direction of the vehicle. Due to the violent and unpredictable change in steering dynamics at speed, I was forced out of my lane and ran over a curb and came moments away from experiencing a severe, life-threatening collision. The vehicle was rendered entirely undrivable and presents an immediate, catastrophic crash hazard. It had to be flatbed-towed to Infinity Valencia dealership. I am the original owner of this vehicle, and it has been meticulously maintained with exceptionally low mileage of 50,000 mile. Infinity previously issued mandatory federal safety recalls identical Direct Adaptive Steering (DAS) "steer-by-wire" software and module failures on the 2014-2016 model years (e.g., the federal safety agency Campaign number 16V433000). While the manufacturer asserted that the underlying engineering and software defects were fully resolved for the 2017 production year, this incident definitely proves that the catastrophic safety defect remains active, unmitigated, and present in the 2017 model year. Infinity Consumer Affairs and corporate databases currently lack proactive safety campaign for this specific VIN, leaving consumers entirely expose to a known, severe safety liability. I am filing this formal complaint to urge the federal safety agency to open a formal defect investigation into the 2017 Infinity Q50/Q50s steering architecture and compel the manufacturer to expand the safety recall before this unmitigated defect results in fatal accident.

Filed Sep 12, 2025 · Steering · CO

Unknown. Started to make left turn steering made loud banging noise then lost all power. Stepped on gas pedal would not go lost steering control and coasted to a stop. Adaptive steering went out. Almost got hit by on coming traffic.

Filed Apr 17, 2024 · Electrical, Steering · CA

Power steering failed while driving in parking lot looking for parking spot. Unable to turn wheel without hitting parked car. I was able to drive to end of the lot where there were less cars. Noticed that I was able to turn wheel so long as didn’t step on brakes. The steering wheel was also off alignment. This happed on a Saturday evening, next day car was fine all the warning were off. Spoke to service person explained what happened. He basically said if the car is running fine they can check it out but may not find the problem. Since the car was running fine until it wasn’t. Car was parked in garage turned on the car all warning lights go on. Made appointment for 4/3/24 drove car to dealership which is not to far. The warning lights still on and no power steering. Analysis many DTC codes found related to this system:B2512 4WAS SIG: C1B9000 DAST SYSTEM: C1138 4WAS CIRCUIT & C1A04 ABS/TCS/VDC CIRC. Correction Recommended to perform DAST calibration first before performing further diagnosis. COST $539.15 . They also did Multi-Point Inspection items requiring immediate attention Engine Air Filter COST $94.99 GRAND TOTAL $641.64 out of pocket. 4/3/24 picked up car. On that evening drove the car and as I’m pulling up on drive way power steering goes out again. I managed to get the car in garage. Once I’m in push button to close garage doesn’t work and car dies no power at all. Able to get car started by playing with battery cables. On dealership notes car was there 30 miles ago. Now they say wrong battery size. That battery was replaced by them on 2/28/22. Also the battery just past Multi-Point 2 days ago.New battery cost $232.78 now out of pocket $874.42.This is now 4/10/24. Drove that evening and front splash guard fall off had to tie wrap to hold whatever pieces are left. Took it to dealership they took no responsibility. I will need to replace it. I have all my receipts from them they are the only ones who have worked on my vehicle.

Filed May 9, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · TN

Engine has rough idle while in park. Even after the following maintenance was done. Replacing spark plugs, engine software update, coolant flush, power steering flush, fuel system clean, new mass air flow sensors both sides, serpentine belt, all new gaskets on top part of engine, valve cover, intake manifold, spark plug tube seals. Flushed rear and rear diff and transmission. Steering is heavy to turn. The colder it is outside the worse the engine shakes. Throttle response is delayed at times. Transmission shifts hard the worse the engine shakes. Colder it is the slower the windows roll up and down along with the wipers. Engine drops RPM when turning wheel while in park. When driving engine drops about 100 - 200 RPM then keeps going back up under acceleration but causes transmission to shift hard. This problem causes the output shaft seal to break and rear wheel speed sensors were replaced. After a sharp turn car hesitates to accelerate even if hard on the gas. Extreme cold temps outside make the engine almost sound as if something inside engine internals is not right. Hot and humid weather makes it run the best. No check engine light problem started at 90,000 miles now im at 126,000 miles and still no fix and no check engine light. Loss of engine power. Even going up the smallest hill incline maybe a couple feet over a distance of maybe 3 blocks engine downshifts to 5th gear just to maintain 70mph even though I can be going 50mph in 7th gear. Car jolts forward when coming to a stop as if the output shaft is still spinning at a different speed than the engine. Can cause an accident if not fixed. Other infiniti cars seem to have the same problem. Even the g37.

Filed Apr 24, 2020 · Steering · 41,000 miles · MD

Loss of steering control after start of car, steering pulls hard to one side. Has happened at least 4 times. It is my understanding that other q 50 have been recalled for this intermittent steering problem. I do have video of the last occurrence, but it exceeds 5mb.

Filed Jan 28, 2020 · Steering · 89,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 infiniti q50. The contact stated that whiled driving, the steering wheel seized and became difficult to turn. As a result, the steering wheel was turned with excessive forced. The power steering assist warning light illuminated indicating steering chassis system control error. The vehicle was taken to warren henry infiniti dealer, (2300 ne 151st st, north miami, fl 33181, (305) 652-9999) and was diagnosed that power steering module might needed to be replaced or a software update. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.

Filed Dec 6, 2019 · Steering · 56,200 miles · IL

Today november 6, 2019, at about 12:30 pm after I started my vehicle the steering was very hard to steer and maneuver. I drove the vehicle back home but had a hard time steering. My vehicle has adaptive steering. I called about a recall that was issued for this problem and was told a software update was made in july of 2016. It appears that this has not resolved the issue and my vehicle may lead to a possible crash if I drive it. I was told that the issue was resolved despite the fact that I had an issue today. The weather was about 36 f and I don't believe it was a weather related. Issue. I was parked at a shopping mall at the time it occurred the vehicle was still warm when I started the vehicle.

Filed Apr 18, 2019 · Steering · 10,276 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2017 infiniti q50. The contact stated that the power steering failed twice. The vehicle was taken to ray catena infiniti of edison (900 us-1, edison, nj 08817, (732) 603-9600) where it was determined that the vehicle was still under warranty. The vehicle was repaired, but the contact felt uneasy about driving the vehicle. She spoke with her state's attorney general's office before calling the federal safety agency. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 10,276. *tt consumer stated the vehicle was parked in my driveway when the power steering failed/malfunction the first 2 times, the third time on may 2nd I was leaving the bank parking lot when it failed again. It was towed 3 times to the dealer (ray catenia infiniti in nj) the car is currently at the dealer. I did contact the manufacturer and after the first 2 failures the offered me an extended warranty of 7 yrs/ k100 miles, I was about to accept when it happened the for the 3rd time again. I am very afraid to drive this vehicle, the next time I may not be so lucky. I don't have the tire info since the car is in the dealer's shop. *jb *dt

Filed Feb 6, 2019 · Electrical, Steering · 580 miles · NY

Car started no dash lights, no navigation lighting, and no power steering. I was able drive car but extremely difficult to turn steering wheel. New car approx. 580 miles had car towed to pepe infinity from my driveway 1/31/2019 car returned 2/5/2019 only problem detected was battery low. I am 71 taking care of 3 grand children afraid of reoccurring power steering malfunction.

Filed Jan 24, 2019 · Driver assistance, Engine · DC

During 20 degree f, I drove my car with no issues to a retail store, parked it in a parking lot. After shopping, returned to my car & started it up, put in reverse, started backing up, then several malfunction lights lit up on the car's dash & the steering wheel locked all of a sudden. I could not turn the steering wheel. I could only move the car forward & backward & this is all while the car is powered on. I had to have the car towed to the dealership. In past history, there has been 2 other steering recalls (electric power assist system & adaptive steering parts) on this same make/model,& year. The dealership service team told me on 1/22/19 & the issue with my car was the chassis control module (the brain of the steering wheel) & a lane departure malfunction & the cost of repair is $1600 (not covered) despite I have an extended warranty. The chassis control module as the brain of the steering wheel clearly relates to the previous steering recalls (electric power assist system & adaptive steering parts) along with the lane departure malfunction as diagnosed by infiniti dealer in suitland, maryland. The description of the previous 2 recalls (electric power assist system & adaptive steering parts) say that in freezing climates, the engine compartment reaches freezing, disabling the power steering system, resulting in a loss of steering, increasing risk of crash. As diagnosed by infiniti, definitely the chassis control module & even the lane departure technology parts have not been included in the previous steering recalls & should have been. Please issue steering recalls for the chassis control module and lane departure malfunction parts or just the entire steering system. Infiniti is fixing my car at no charge to me after I told them about the related previous steering recalls. Per the internet, many people have experienced this with this car model. Danger!!