AI Damage2018 Infiniti Q50: common problems
Owners of the 2018 Infiniti Q50 filed 43 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and air bags. The maker issued 108 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 43
- involving a crash
- 1
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 108
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 40% of all complaints
- 2 Air bags 21% of all complaints
- 3 Fuel/propulsion system 14% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 12% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 7% of all complaints
- 6 Wheels 7% of all complaints
- 7 Service brakes 7% of all complaints
- 8 Backover prevention 7% of all complaints
- Engine: 17 complaints (40% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
- Air bags: 9 complaints (21% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 6 complaints (14% of all).
- Electrical system: 5 complaints (12% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 47.
- Powertrain: 3 complaints (7% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- 3 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cyl
- 3.5 L · hybrid · 6 cyl
- automatic, 7-speed
Drive: RWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 43 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 17 | 0 | 5 |
| Air bags | 9 | 0 | 2 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 5 | 0 | 47 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 0 | 5 |
| Wheels | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Service brakes | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| Backover prevention | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 23 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Lane departure | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Structure | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 1 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Collision avoidance/auto brake did not engage. Video with sound of the incident is available upon request.
The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the front passenger seat and passenger seat belt needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired.
Despite matching the make, model, and production timeframe associated with an existing Infiniti recall for backup camera failures, my specific vehicle is not included in the recall population.
At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 50,370; however, at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage had been rolled back from 54,000 to 28,630 miles. The mileage before the vehicle was purchased was 47,650.
Nissan’s documentation identifies issues such as turbo oil seal leaks, reduced engine power, smoke, and potential catastrophic engine failure, and provides an extended warranty of up to 10 years or 120,000 miles due to the safety risks associated with sudden power loss.
There was no warning light illuminated. The contact's son took the vehicle to an independent mechanic to have the brake pads and rotors replaced. However, less than one month after the replacement of the pads and rotors, there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the front passenger’s side brakes.
The airbag/srs light is on. I've read on multiple forums that this is a common occurrence with this model and year of Infiniti. It did not come on as a result of any accident/incident.
Airbag light turn on, on my dashboard, I checked it with a professional OBD2 scanner and shows a code which indicates a fault in the Occupant Detection System (ODS), which the scanner says it is very common for my vehicle. This puts my passengers at risk due to an airbag system fault.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 934 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 44% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Q50 has 21 complaints (9 years in the data). This year has 43, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other…
CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “Certification Label” or “VIN Plate/Label” may be needed. HINT: Certification Label =…
- TELEMATICS SERVICE INFORMATION See ITB19-029 for models built after those listed above for a different…
TELEMATICS SERVICE INFORMATION See ITB19-029 for models built after those listed above for a different Service Procedure. SERVICE INFORMATION The Applied Vehicles are equipped with a wireless communication device…
- AEB WARNING LIGHT IS ON WITH WARNING MESSAGES DISPLAYED ON COMBINATION METER APPLIED VEHICLES
2015-2024 Q50 (V37) 2015-2018 Q50 Hybrid (HV37) 2017-2022 Q60 (CV37) 2015-2019 Q70 (Y51) 2015-2018 Q70 Hybrid (HY51) 2019-2024 QX50 (J55) 2022-2024 QX55 (FJ55) 2015-2021 QX60 (L50) 2022-2024 QX60 (L51) 2015-2019 QX60…
- ***** Retailer Announcement ***** INFINITI is committed to providing the highest levels of product quality…
***** Retailer Announcement ***** INFINITI is committed to providing the highest levels of product quality and customer satisfaction. Therefore, INFINITI is conducting a warranty extension to Full Useful Life (FUL) of…
- MIL ON WITH DTC(S) STORED IN THE ECM This bulletin is no longer active
Please discard previous versions of ITB17-050.
- TURBOCHARGER REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE APPLIED ENGINES
VR30DDTT IF YOU CONFIRM One or both turbochargers require replacement. ACTION 1. Replace the affected turbocharger(s). Refer to the SERVICE PROCEDURE in this bulletin for the updated procedure. IMPORTANT: You MUST…
- ENGINE ROOM SUB-HARNESS IF YOU CONFIRM DTC P06DA-00 for “ENGINE OIL PRESSURE CONTROL” is stored as current…
ENGINE ROOM SUB-HARNESS IF YOU CONFIRM DTC P06DA-00 for “ENGINE OIL PRESSURE CONTROL” is stored as current (active) with CONSULT-III plus (C-III plus). ACTION Replace the engine room sub-harness. Refer to the SERVICE…
- DTC B00A0-00 STOREIF YOU CONFIRM DTC B00A0-00 (OCCUPANT DETECTION SENSOR UNIT) is stored, AND OCS zero…
DTC B00A0-00 STOREIF YOU CONFIRM DTC B00A0-00 (OCCUPANT DETECTION SENSOR UNIT) is stored, AND OCS zero point reset cannot be performed, (continued on the next page)D
- INTELLIGENT KEY INITIALIZATION PROCEDURE STOPS OR WILL NOT CONTINUE This bulletin has been amended
See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Discard all previous versions of this bulletin.
- INTELLIGENT KEY NOT DETECTED / ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended
See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- CAN COMMUNICATION – NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended
See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- CAN COMMUNICATION CODES – DIAGNOSTIC TIPS AND GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended
See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
NHTSA lists 108 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Infiniti Q50?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, air bags, fuel/propulsion system. Total complaints: 43. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (19%), airbag warning light (16%), smoke, burning smell, fire (14%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2018 Infiniti Q50?
NHTSA lists 108 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2018 Infiniti Q50 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2018 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.