2020 Infiniti QX50: common problems
Owners of the 2020 Infiniti QX50 filed 33 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and forward collision avoidance. The maker issued 148 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 33
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 148
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 55% of all complaints
- 2 Forward collision avoidance 21% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 12% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 12% of all complaints
- 5 Engine and cooling 12% of all complaints
- 6 Service brakes 6% of all complaints
- 7 Lane departure 3% of all complaints
- 8 Backover prevention 3% of all complaints
- Engine: 18 complaints (55% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Forward collision avoidance: 7 complaints (21% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 6.
- Electrical system: 4 complaints (12% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 75.
- Powertrain: 4 complaints (12% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 17.
- Engine and cooling: 4 complaints (12% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 8.
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
- CVTnamed in 2 complaints
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 33 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 | 18 | 0 | 1 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 7 | 0 | 6 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 0 | 75 |
| Powertrain | 4 | 0 | 17 |
| Engine and cooling | 4 | 0 | 8 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Lane departure | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Backover prevention | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 32 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 13 |
| Visibility | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Fuel system | 0 | 0 | 5 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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".
The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the RPM became elevated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where an unknown recall repair was performed. The contact stated that the engine was replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred.
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.
In addition, the contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start as intended, with a rattling sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where the vehicle was lost and misplaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure.
The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V437000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The local dealer was contacted to schedule an appointment, and it was confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was called, but the call was disconnected.
The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended and lost motive power. There were no warning lights illuminated. No further information was available. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V437000 (Engine and Engine Cooling).
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.
Collision warning sensor activated while driving in the #1 lane( closest to the cement highway dividers) and aggresively braked and slowed while diving at 77 mph. Not safe!! 2.
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 1,041 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 50% most complained about).
On average one model year of the QX50 has 28 complaints (10 years in the data). This year has 33, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Forward collision avoidance. Radar and camera: calibration after bumper or windshield replacement.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- ROARING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY AND THE A/C IS NOT COOLING IF YOU CONFIRM A roaring…
ROARING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY AND THE A/C IS NOT COOLING IF YOU CONFIRM A roaring noise from the engine cooling fan assembly (engine fan on high not cycling) is present, and the Air Conditioning…
- 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 =…
- IF YOU CONFIRM The client states that either the rear hatch is inoperative, or the rear hatch closes after…
IF YOU CONFIRM The client states that either the rear hatch is inoperative, or the rear hatch closes after opening only a small amount, AND DTC B2426-23 for “SPINDLE SENSOR LH” and/or DTC B2427-23 for “SPINDLE SENSOR…
- 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…
- 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
- TELEMATICS CONTROL UNIT RESET AFTER AUTOMATIC COLLISION NOTIFICATION SERVICE INFORMATION The Telematics…
TELEMATICS CONTROL UNIT RESET AFTER AUTOMATIC COLLISION NOTIFICATION SERVICE INFORMATION The Telematics Control Unit (TCU) has the ability to send an automatic collision notification when the vehicle is involved in an…
- DTC B2E01-96 (INTERNAL BATTERY) STORED AS CURRENT IN IVC APPLIED SYSTEMS
Vehicles equipped with Telematics SERVICE INFORMATION CONSULT has been updated to allow DTC B2E01-96 for “Internal battery” to be cleared in the Telematics Control Unit (TCU). If DTC B2E01-96 is Current/Active in the…
- AV CONTROL UNIT REPLACEMENT PROCESS This bulletin has been amended
See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin. IF YOU CONFIRM The AV control unit needs to be replaced. ACTION 1. Read and save the VIN. 2. Read and save the configuration…
- TELEMATICS (IVC) SERVICE INFORMATION Vehicles equipped with factory telematics system HINT
If the client experiences Wi-Fi hotspot related concerns only, DO NOT replace the TCU. Have the client contact the AT&T Support line at 1 (888) 719-7242. See ITB12-011 for models built before those listed above…
- DTC C1A17-49 STORED IN LASER/RADAR This bulletin has been amended
See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- DTC B2724-23 AND/OR C1B56-04 STORED, AND/OR RAB ERROR MESSAGE OR WARNING This bulletin has been amended
See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard 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.
NHTSA lists 148 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 2020 Infiniti QX50?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, forward collision avoidance, electrical system. Total complaints: 33. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: engine failure or replacement (18%), warning lights, check engine (18%), knocking, grinding or other noise (12%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2020 Infiniti QX50?
NHTSA lists 148 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 2020 Infiniti QX50 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 2020 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.