2017 Infiniti Q50 Problems

What owners report

Owner complaints on the 2017 Q50 cluster around two themes: the 3.0L twin-turbo V6 losing power or stalling (sometimes followed by turbocharger and engine replacement), and the front passenger occupant classification system failing, which can disable the passenger airbag. A smaller but consistent group describes shuddering or pulling while braking, electrical and infotainment faults, and occasional power-steering loss. Reports are spread from very low mileage up past 100,000 miles.

1. 1
   Engine

   Engine and turbocharger failure with oil consumption

   • 13 complaints (21%)
   • median 28,097 mi at 3.7 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2019–2026

   Owners describe the engine shutting off or losing power while driving, sometimes with a mechanical noise, white smoke from the exhaust, or oil that smells of fuel. Several say the dealer found the turbos were passing oil into the intake or that a main bearing had failed, and the engine or one or both turbochargers needed replacement. Owners also note parts were sometimes back-ordered and that an extended warranty on the turbochargers exists but may have expired by the time of failure. Reported from roughly 18,000 to over 140,000 miles, with several failures in the 75,000-100,000 mile range; some occurred during highway driving without warning.

   Recall 17V4760004 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for service records showing whether the turbochargers or engine have been replaced, and confirm the turbocharger warranty extension still applies to the VIN. Check oil level and condition regularly and watch for white exhaust smoke or a fuel smell in the oil.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I am the owner of a 2017 INFINITI Q50 purchased in 2019. My vehicle has suffered three separate turbocharger failures in four years: 2021 (~75,000 miles): turbocharger failure; replaced under my extended warranty (~$6,000 authorization). 2023 (~98,000 miles): turbocharger failure; replaced again under extended warranty (~$6,000 authorization). 2025 (143,000 miles): diagnostic confirms another turbocharger failure; quoted $8,900 out of pocket because my extended warranty has expired. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11685053, filed 2025-09

   “The engine in this car needs to be replaced. The main bearing is failing, head gasket blew, and coolant has leaked into the engine. About August 30, 2023 I had a sudden coolant loss followed by temperature spike. If the engine had seized while driving, it could have caused a loss of power and locked up the drive train. After sitting while i tried to determine the coolant loss and temp spike, i made arrangements with a local infiniti dealer about jan 9 with a drop off date of jan 22 or 23. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11573697, filed 2024-02
2. 2
   Engine

   Stall or loss of power while driving

   • 20 complaints (32%)
   • median 70,000 mi at 4.5 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2017–2026

   Complaints describe the car going into limp mode or shutting off entirely while moving, with the accelerator unresponsive and sometimes the check engine light blinking. Some owners were told the fuel pump had failed or that the fuel pump control module software was involved, and a few report the remedy performed under a recall did not resolve the stalling. Others had the vehicle stall at low speed with no warning lights and could not restart it. Spread widely across mileage, from a few thousand miles to around 118,000; several incidents happened at highway speed.

   Recall 17V476000Recall 24V4700003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the fuel pump control module software recall (17V476000) was completed and whether the fuel pump has been replaced. Note any stored engine codes or prior limp-mode events in the service history.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I purchased my 2017 Infiniti Q50 as a certified dealer owned vehicle with 4710 miles on it from airport Infiniti on 12/31/2018. Since taking possession of the car, I have had three separate instances where my car lost power during acceleration, in which one of the instances nearly caused me to be hit by a semi-truck when crossing a divided highway. I have provided videos to the manufacture but they have refused to take action because the vehicle does not set any DTC codes. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11186562, filed 2019-03, 4,710 miles

   “My car has a start and stop problem and the dealer reprogram the ecm but it didn't work got back on the road and almost got hit twice bc my car went into limp mode. And they won't fix up unless I pay even know it's a recall and my drive shaft has a recall but they said that was close out”

   NHTSA complaint #11643175, filed 2025-02
3. 3
   Air bags

   Passenger airbag disabled by occupant sensor fault

   • 10 complaints (16%)
   • median 57,048 mi at 6.2 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2021–2026

   Owners report the passenger seat belt or airbag warning light coming on with no one in the seat. Dealers often attempt an occupant classification system zero-point reset, and several owners say that procedure failed and left the airbag light on, disabling the passenger airbag. Owners are commonly quoted several thousand dollars for a seat and OCS module replacement and told the vehicle is not covered by the occupant-sensor recall. Reported from around 50,000 to 86,000 miles, often noticed first as a seat belt warning light.

   Recall 16V244000Recall 17V5710001 related service bulletin

   What to check: With the ignition on and the passenger seat empty, confirm the passenger airbag status indicator reads correctly. Have any stored B00A0 code read before purchase, and ask whether a zero-point reset was ever attempted.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My airbags are currently disabled due to a faulty occupant detection system. I see that this was an Infiniti recall on many2017 Q50s, but my car is not included in the recall. The dealership confirms that my car is not part of the recall. The specific part involved in the recall is the front passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS), which triggers the error code being produced by my car.”

   NHTSA complaint #11623126, filed 2024-11

   “The airbag light came on for the passenger side. The dealership said I had to pay $246 to find out what the problem is. They told me the entire seat/airbag structure needed to be replaced at a cost of $6k-$13k. I searched the problem online and there is the exact recall for this car/problem but not my vehicle. I don’t feel like I should be responsible for a safety issue in a 7 year old car. I believe this model should be included in the recall. I also am requesting the $246 be refunded.”

   NHTSA complaint #11581276, filed 2024-04
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Infotainment, display, and electrical gremlins

   • 9 complaints (14%)
   • median 50,000 mi at 3.5 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2017–2025

   Owners report the center display screen and navigation acting up repeatedly, with dealers unable to repair the fault over multiple visits. Others describe the intelligent key not being detected or slow starting, a washer fluid warning that flashes with a full reservoir, and an auto-dimming mirror that does not dim. Some owners connect new warning lights and harness codes to software updates performed during recall work. Reported from around 35,000 to 118,000 miles, often as recurring faults rather than a single event.

   7 related service bulletins

   What to check: Exercise the screen, navigation, and keyless start several times during a test drive, and ask whether infotainment software updates and any outstanding recalls have been applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I went into Infiniti of Massapequa for an oil change I was told that my car has a recall for the ecm and by law they’re required to fix the recall in doing that it instantly caused a check engine light and are asking me to pay out of pocket for the oil pump adapter wire harness code P06DA repairs caused by the updated ecm I don’t feel that it is fair that I have to pay for anything due to issues from the dealers update of the ecm”

   NHTSA complaint #11682784, filed 2025-08

   “Subject: Urgent: Check Engine Light After Vehicle Return I am contacting you regarding my vehicle, I dropped it off the dealer for oil change & they informed me it was recalled so they have to fix it, but they returned it to me with engine light on. They mentioned after fixing the recall the engine light came on…tested it and showed thermostat, but to pay 249 for them to diagnose because it’s a different problem, but that issue wasn’t there when I took my car. I have never had the check engine light on. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11660990, filed 2025-05
5. 5
   Brakes

   Brake shudder, pulling, and premature rotor wear

   • 6 complaints (10%)
   • median 25,500 mi at 3.1 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2018–2026

   Owners describe vibration or shudder through the pedal and steering wheel when braking at various speeds, and some report the car pulling to one side while driving. Dealers typically diagnosed worn or warped rear rotors and pads and recommended replacement or resurfacing, in a few cases at relatively low mileage. One complaint describes a cracked brake pad found after repeated dealer visits failed to resolve a grinding noise. Mostly reported between about 8,000 and 43,000 miles, with a few at higher mileage.

   What to check: Test-brake from highway speed during a test drive and feel for pedal or wheel vibration; inspect rear rotor thickness and pad wear, and ask whether rotors have already been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I purchased my 2017 Infiniti Q50 on october 06 2018 from carvana llc. The vehicle was used and had approximately 38k on the odometer. Within 2 weeks of owning the vehicle the rear brakes pads need to be replaced and the rotors needed to be resurfaced. This was expected due to the high mileage on a 1 year old vehicle. Then on january 11th 2019 I took my 2017 Infiniti Q50 in for its oil change at 43,000 miles with glendale Infiniti in glendale california. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11170975, filed 2019-01, 43,000 miles

   “I experienced an ongoing grinding/rattling noise from the wheel/brake area. The vehicle was serviced multiple times by a franchised dealer, which diagnosed the issue as brake-related and performed brake repairs. The noise was not resolved, and the vehicle was returned in the same condition. Shortly after service, an independent mechanic discovered a cracked/broken brake pad installed on the vehicle. Due to safety concerns, the manufacturer authorized inspection at a separate franchised dealership under different ownership. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11711898, filed 2026-01

Buying note. A pre-purchase inspection focused on turbocharger condition, oil consumption, and stored engine codes is worth the cost on this model year, and confirm which recalls and warranty extensions apply to the specific VIN. Also verify passenger airbag operation and check the service history for prior brake and infotainment repairs.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 55 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.