Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2020 Infiniti QX50Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 33 owner complaints for the 2020 Infiniti QX50. Most complaints involve engine (18) and forward collision avoidance (7). The EPA rates it 25–26 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
25–26mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Jun 2025
Owner complaints
33
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$3,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Engine and engine cooling: hard parts internal

Free remedy

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Rogue, 2019-2020 Altima, 2019-2022 Infiniti QX50, and 2022 Infiniti QX55 vehicles equipped with 3-cylinder 1.5L or 4-cylinder 2.0L variable compression turbo (VC-Turbo) engines. The engine bearings may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine failure.

Engine and engine coolingReported Jun 27, 2025NHTSA 25V437000

Tires

Free remedy

Nissan North America, Inc. (INFINITI) is recalling certain 2020 INFINITI QX50 vehicles. The text of the Tire and Loading Information placard, including the tire size and loading capacity, may be illegible. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

TiresReported Jan 26, 2021NHTSA 21V025000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 6, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

33 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2020 – Sep 2026
  1. Engine18
  2. Forward collision avoidance7
  3. Power train4
  4. Engine and engine cooling4
  5. Electrical system4
  6. Service brakes2
  7. Vehicle speed control1
  8. Lane departure1
  9. Back over prevention1

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 QX50 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20142
20153
201619
201713
2019145
202033
202141
202217
20234
20245
20251
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 6, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

18 reports
“We received the federal recall information and took the vehicle to the nearest Infiniti dealer (96 miles away) on 9/2/26. Diagnostics were performed and were told that the car "passed" the inspection. Two days later, the engine demonstrated complete failure. We had to have the vehicle towed to a Nissan dealer in our town (no Infiniti here) on 9/11/26. According to this report, " Based on the testing and findings, this no start condition relates engine mechanical issue, possible low compression from cylinders. Recent service history shows engine bearing inspection has been performed, and and engine ass'y has Infinity extended warranty". Due to the warnings of "catastrophic engine failure" per the federal recall, we believe this is a significant safety issue. We have learned of many pending cases of "inadequate diagnostics" and engine failure afterward. Currently we are trying to work with Infiniti to resolve this issue, and have filed a claim with Consumer Affairs with minimal response thus far. We are towing the vehicle back to the Infiniti dealer 96 miles away today, and are hoping that Infiniti will resolve this safety issue. We feel it is important to file…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 29, 2026EngineODI 11767656

Forward collision avoidance

7 reports
“The contact owns a 2020 Infinity QX50. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at 70 MPH, the vehicle started making an abnormal sound, and the vehicle stopped unintendedly. The contact was grateful that she was not involved in an accident because there was traffic nearby. The contact was able to continue driving the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed; however, a cause for the failure was not found. Additionally, the contact stated that the instrument indicated that there was a vehicle nearby erroneously. The contact considered that the failure was caused by a glitch. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 6, 2025Forward collision avoidanceODI 11634479

Power train

4 reports
“I am a [XXX] woman who purchased my first vehicle on December 6, 2024, with 43,000 miles. I have driven fewer than 20,000 miles since purchase, and the vehicle currently has approximately 62,000 miles. Until January 19, 2026, I experienced no issues. I have properly maintained the vehicle and followed all recommended service guidelines. I completed three oil changes during my ownership, averaging approximately every 8,500 miles. Two oil changes were performed by a licensed mechanic, and the most recent oil change and inspection were completed on November 29, 2025 at Legend Infiniti. I have receipts for all services. On January 19, 2026, while driving approximately 65 mph on a four-lane highway in Long Island, the vehicle suddenly went into limp mode and dropped to about 10 mph without warning. This created an extremely dangerous situation with a serious risk of collision. I first brought the vehicle to my mechanic, who advised me to take it to an authorized Infiniti dealership due to an engine bearing recall associated with my VIN. I brought it to the same Infiniti dealership that had serviced it two months earlier. After diagnosis, the dealership stated there…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 19, 2026Power train, EngineODI 11719065
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 6, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (AV-S8)
Drive
Front-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 6, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
QX50
Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
232926$3,050346
QX50 AWD
Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
222825$3,200365
  • QX50
    Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    23 city · 29 hwy · $3,050/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • QX50 AWD
    Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    22 city · 28 hwy · $3,200/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 6, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Infiniti QX50 SUV AWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
14.7%
Overall
5 / 5
Infiniti QX50 SUV FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
15.5%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 6, 2026Vehicle 14528Vehicle 14511
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

2020 QX50 questions

How many recalls does the 2020 Infiniti QX50 have?

2 safety recalls as of Nov 6, 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 2020 Infiniti QX50 problems?

Owners filed 33 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (18), forward collision avoidance (7), power train (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2020 Infiniti QX50 get?

The EPA rates the 2020 Infiniti QX50 at 25–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2020 Infiniti QX50?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2020 Infiniti QX50 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 6, 2026