The Lemon Index
202020221st generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 13,896 in the U.S. in 2021 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 3 complaints in its first 3 years.
3 owner complaints, first 3 years 22–23 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2021 Acura TLX 1192021 Tesla Model S2021 Tesla Model 3 489
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 21V599000 (back over prevention), 21V402000 (suspension) and 21V234000 (engine) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Has it ever braked hard for no reason? Ask whether the safety-system software was updated.
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
- Infiniti sent dealers 111 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “DRIVE SHAFT BOOT SERVICE INFORMATION SERVICE INFORMATION If a Drive Shaft (Axle Shaft) Boot on…”?
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 3 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 →
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 2021 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 111 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- DRIVE SHAFT BOOT SERVICE INFORMATION SERVICE INFORMATION If a Drive Shaft (Axle Shaft) Boot on…
- AEB WARNING LIGHT BLINKING This bulletin has been amended
- INFINITI; DTC P0456 CAUSED BY EVAP LEAK AT VENT CONTROL VALVE O-RING This bulletin has been…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 3
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2021
A software error may deactivate the audio/video control unit screen, preventing the rear-view image from displaying.
- Suspension · recall issued 2021
The front steering knuckle or rear axle housing may have insufficient strength due to improper heat-treatment.
- Engine · recall issued 2021
After detecting rapid acceleration, the Engine Control Module (ECM) may incorrectly reduce engine power and reduce fuel supply to the engine.
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 | ★★★★★ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,250–$3,400 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.0L 6-cyl.
Every Infiniti Q50 year. 2021 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 2021 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/infiniti-q50/?y=2021" 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-q50/2021/">Lemon Index</a> (2021 Infiniti Q50 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2021 Infiniti Q50 reliable?
We can't score it: only 13,896 were sold in the U.S. in 2021 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 3 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2021 Infiniti Q50 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are automatic emergency braking (67%), speed control (33%) and body structure (33%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2021 Infiniti Q50 have?
3 safety recalls (latest: back over prevention). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Infiniti Q50 get?
22 to 23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2021 Infiniti Q50 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2021 Infiniti Q50 cost in fuel a year?
About $3,250 to $3,400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2021 Infiniti Q50 have?
3.0L 6-cyl.
What Infiniti Q50 year is better than the 2021?
Nearby, the 2019 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (a bit under half as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2016 drew the fewest.
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