The Lemon Index
201720191st generation
One of the most reliable · most complaints: engine
16 owner complaints, first 3 years 22–29 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2018 Acura TLX 592018 Lincoln MKZ2018 Cadillac CTS
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
When problems show up
Only 12 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 24V470000 (transmission & drivetrain), 19V654000 (back over prevention) and 17V476000 (fuel system, gasoline) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- 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 159 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “2016-2018 Q50 AND 2017-2018 Q60; CHARGE AIR COOLER COOLING SYSTEM SERVICE INFORMATION This…”?
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 16 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 8K to 25K miles (14K to 42K km) on the car (12 of all 16 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.
In owners' words
The serpentine belt makes consistent noise in all types of weather. Already had the dealer replace it once. Noise came back and the dealer now says it could be the tensioner pulley.
2018 Infiniti Q50 owner · NHTSA complaint 11267521
More owner reports
From start into the warm-up, there is a consistent whoreling noise coming from the motor.
NHTSA complaint 11267524
The car caught fire under the hood and completely burned up in the parking lot as I was exiting the vehicle updated 12/4/18
NHTSA complaint 11113316
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 2018 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 159 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- 2016-2018 Q50 AND 2017-2018 Q60; CHARGE AIR COOLER COOLING SYSTEM SERVICE INFORMATION This…
- AEB WARNING LIGHT BLINKING This bulletin applies only to vehicles equipped with a lane camera
- Q50 and q60 with vr30ddtt (v6) engine; engine oil drain plug service information service…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 3
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2024
The driveshaft can fatigue and break.
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2019
Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles.
- 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.
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 AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★★ |
| Infiniti Q50 4 DR RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★★ |
| Infiniti Q50 Hybrid 4 DR AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★★ |
| Infiniti Q50 Hybrid 4 DR RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★★ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,600–$3,400 (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. 2018 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 2018 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/infiniti-q50/?y=2018" 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-q50/2018/">Lemon Index</a> (2018 Infiniti Q50 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2018 Infiniti Q50 reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew a bit under half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 43; 100 is average, lower is better). The Infiniti Q50 year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2016.
What are the most common 2018 Infiniti Q50 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (38%), wheels (19%) and fuel system (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2018 Infiniti Q50 have?
3 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 2018 Infiniti Q50 get?
22 to 29 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2018 Infiniti Q50 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2018 Infiniti Q50 cost in fuel a year?
About $2,600 to $3,400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2018 Infiniti Q50 have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
What Infiniti Q50 year is better than the 2018?
Nearby, the 2016 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a quarter as many complaints as the average car).
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