Research · Midsize Cars

2016 Infiniti Q50Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 39 owner complaints for the 2016 Infiniti Q50. Most complaints involve engine (10) and electrical system (8). The EPA rates it 22–26 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
22–26mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Jun 2024
Owner complaints
39
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$3,000est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Power train: driveshaft

Free remedy

Nissan North America, Inc. (INFINITI) is recalling certain 2011-2013 M56, 2012-2013 M35 Hybrid, 2014-2018 Q50, Q70 Hybrid, 2014-2019 Q70, and 2015-2019 Q70L two-wheel drive vehicles. The driveshaft can fatigue and break.

Power trainReported Jun 21, 2024NHTSA 24V470000

Fuel system

Free remedy

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Infiniti Q50 and 2017 Infiniti Q60 vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine. 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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Jul 27, 2017NHTSA 17V476000

Steering: automated

Free remedy

Nissan North America, Inc.'s (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Infiniti Q50 vehicles manufactured December 26, 2012, to December 11, 2015, and Infiniti Q50 Hybrid vehicles manufactured December 10, 2012, to December 17, 2015. The Direct Adaptive Steering system may experience an error at vehicle start up altering the vehicle's steering responsiveness and turning radius.

SteeringReported Jun 13, 2016NHTSA 16V430000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

39 complaints filed with NHTSA · Aug 2016 – Jul 2026
  1. Engine10
  2. Electrical system8
  3. Steering6
  4. Air bags5
  5. Power train4
  6. Vehicle speed control3
  7. Seat belts3
  8. Fuel/propulsion system3
  9. Structure2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Q50 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2014170
2015126
201639
201763
201843
201930
20203
20216
20221
20238
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

10 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 20, 2026EngineODI 11751616

Electrical system

8 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 13, 2026Electrical system, Service brakes, EngineODI 11743844

Steering

6 reports
“Passenger seat light remain on for 4 months the went away. Then the airbag light came on. Took it to Infiniti of Tampa where they supposedly done diagnostics. They cause additional lights to appear on my dashboard to include the steering hard to turn. When I purchased the vehicle in October 2016 I was unaware of any recalls. I found out about a month ago there approximately four recalls for 2016 Infiniti Q50.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 6, 2025Steering, Electrical system, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11634463
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S7)
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Q50
Auto (S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
233126$3,000344
Q50 AWD
Auto (S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
222824$3,200364
Q50
Auto (S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
192823$3,350399
Q50 AWD
Auto (S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
192722$3,500406
  • Q50
    Auto (S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    23 city · 31 hwy · $3,000/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • Q50 AWD
    Auto (S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    22 city · 28 hwy · $3,200/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Q50
    Auto (S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo
    19 city · 28 hwy · $3,350/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Q50 AWD
    Auto (S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo
    19 city · 27 hwy · $3,500/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2016 Infiniti Q50 as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 10705Vehicle 10704
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2016 Q50 questions

How many recalls does the 2016 Infiniti Q50 have?

4 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2016 Infiniti Q50 problems?

Owners filed 39 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (10), electrical system (8), steering (6). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2016 Infiniti Q50 get?

The EPA rates the 2016 Infiniti Q50 at 22–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026