The Lemon Index
201520171st generation
One of the most reliable · most complaints: steering
Fewest complaints of its generation (1st generation).
11 owner complaints, first 3 years 21–30 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2016 Acura TLX 742016 Lincoln MKZ 622016 Cadillac CTS
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
When problems show up
Only 11 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 24V470000 (transmission & drivetrain), 17V476000 (fuel system, gasoline) and 16V430000 (steering) done? It has 4 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Any fuel smell, stalling or hard starts? On a hybrid or EV, any reduced-power warning or battery work?
- Infiniti sent dealers 209 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “INFINITI; OIL LEAKING AROUND TIMING CONTROL SOLENOID VALVE This bulletin does not apply to…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Infiniti's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 11 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 0K to 26K miles (1K to 42K km) on the car (11 of all 11 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 21.3M views · 2014–2024 Infiniti Q50
Most-watched topics
- Gauges, lights & wiring220K views
2016 Infiniti Q50 oil maintenance light resetMannys garage · 138K views · 2 videos - Oil changes & service196K views
How To Reset Flat Tire Warning On The Infiniti Q50 (2014-2021)Vehicle Freak · 160K views · 2 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical112K views
2016 - 2019 Infiniti Q50 Key Fob Battery Replacement - How To Replace Change Q50 Remote BatteriesPYR Automotive · 66K views · 3 videos - Intake, EGR & engine sensors67K views
2015 Infiniti Q50 output shaft speed sensor remove and replace.Quick repair guy · 67K views
Show 4 more
- Brakes & ABS54K views
😩ABS FAULT 2014-2021 Infiniti Q50 | AWD Error code | Chassis Control System Error?IMPROPER NOVICE · 54K views - No-start: theft light, key & ignition34K views
Diagnosing a No Start on a 2017 Infiniti Q50...Won't Crank...1 Click...Fixed...Peter L · 34K views - Heat, A/C & blend door23K views
2014-2015 Q50 Heater Hose Easy fix & upgraded Silicone Radiator HosesCRTFD Garage · 23K views - Fuel pump, filter & tank19K views
2015 Infiniti Q50 A/C Compressor not coming on Diag/FIX w Variable Power Injector! P0533Global Commerce CA · 19K views
Before you buy, watch
Infiniti Q50 saloon 2014 review - CarbuyerCarbuyer · 300K views
2020 Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400 - Should You Buy It?Car Coach Reports · 76K views
2018 Infiniti Q50 Sport AWD Review: Reliable LuxuryAPOnCars · 27K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2016 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Infiniti told dealers about
Infiniti sent dealers 209 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- INFINITI; OIL LEAKING AROUND TIMING CONTROL SOLENOID VALVE This bulletin does not apply to…
- INFINITI; OIL LEAKING AROUND VALVE TIMING CONTROL SOLENOID VALVE This bulletin does not apply…
- INTERIOR LAMPS INOPERATIVE IF YOU CONFIRM The interior lamps are inoperative (including map…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 4
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2024
The driveshaft can fatigue and break.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2017 2.0L engines only
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.
- Steering · recall issued 2016 Hybrid only
The Direct Adaptive Steering system may experience an error at vehicle start up altering the vehicle's steering responsiveness and turning radius.
Show all 4 recalls
- Airbags · recall issued 2016
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infiniti Q50 4 DR RWD | not rated | not rated | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Infiniti Q50 4 DR AWD | not rated | not rated | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,500–$3,600 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
Every Infiniti Q50 year. 2016 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 5 Infiniti Q50 years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2016 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/infiniti-q50/?y=2016" title="Infiniti Q50 reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="353" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/infiniti-q50/2016/">Lemon Index</a> (2016 Infiniti Q50 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2016 Infiniti Q50 reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew about a quarter as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 25; 100 is average, lower is better).
What are the most common 2016 Infiniti Q50 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (27%), engine (18%) and fuel system (18%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2016 Infiniti Q50 have?
4 safety recalls (latest: transmission & drivetrain). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Infiniti Q50 get?
21 to 30 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2016 Infiniti Q50 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2016 Infiniti Q50 cost in fuel a year?
About $2,500 to $3,600 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2016 Infiniti Q50 have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
Is there a better Infiniti Q50 year than the 2016?
Not nearby: the 2016 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Infiniti Q50 years within 3 model years of it.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works