AI Damage2021 Infiniti QX50: common problems
Owners of the 2021 Infiniti QX50 filed 41 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and electrical system. The maker issued 127 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 41
- involving a crash
- 2
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 127
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 44% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 20% of all complaints
- 3 Forward collision avoidance 20% of all complaints
- 4 Engine and cooling 17% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 10% of all complaints
- 6 Service brakes 10% of all complaints
- 7 Structure 2% of all complaints
- 8 Exterior lighting 2% of all complaints
- Engine: 18 complaints (44% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Electrical system: 8 complaints (20% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 69.
- Forward collision avoidance: 8 complaints (20% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 4.
- Engine and cooling: 7 complaints (17% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 8.
- Powertrain: 4 complaints (10% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 15.
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
- CVT
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 41 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 | 1 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 8 | 1 | 69 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 8 | 0 | 4 |
| Engine and cooling | 7 | 0 | 8 |
| Powertrain | 4 | 2 | 15 |
| Service brakes | 4 | 0 | 2 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 7 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Lane departure | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The vehicle suddenly jerked, lost power response, displayed multiple warning lights, showed a “System Fault – See Owner’s Manual” message, and became unresponsive/difficult to control. The engine remained on, but the vehicle did not respond properly. The vehicle struck a fixed object/rock.
As a result, the vehicle was thrust off the roadway, coming to a complete stop after colliding with a pole, and the front passenger side wheel disconnected from the axle. The air bags were deployed. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. The contact was later treated for various nondescript injuries.
My 2021 Infiniti QX50 has suffered a catastrophic internal engine failure. This vehicle is explicitly covered under active federal safety recall NHTSA Campaign 25V437000 (Infiniti Campaign R25A8/A9 / R25B1/B2) for defective, failing main and link bearings.
No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and metal shavings were found in the oil pan. Upon further investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V437000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the repair was denied due to the…
There is an active and unremedied safety recall on my 2021 Infiniti QX50 (NHTSA Recall #25V-437) for a critical engine defect that can result in complete engine failure and risk of fire. The recall was issued on June 26, 2025. I am an active-duty military member stationed in Germany.
The issues initially included flickering interior and exterior lights, intermittent door lock malfunctions, and other electrical irregularities. In June 2025, I received notification through the INFINITI app regarding a major engine recall involving engine bearing failure concerns affecting my vehicle.
soon after I noticed lights flickering. I was notified shortly after my car was part of the major recall. I brought it in, they said no engine bearings, car is ok, they did not acknowledge the lights because there was no code.
This raises concern that the door latch may not be fully securing the door during normal driving conditions. This creates a safety concern because the vehicle may not properly recognize the door as securely closed while driving.
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 960 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 46% most complained about).
On average one model year of the QX50 has 28 complaints (10 years in the data). This year has 41, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Forward collision avoidance. Radar and camera: calibration after bumper or windshield replacement.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
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
- FALSE ACTIVATION OF AEB OR FCW APPLIED VEHICLES
2021-2022 QX50 (J55) APPLIED DATES: Built on or before August 08, 2022 APPLIED SYSTEMS: Only vehicles equipped with Electronic Power Steering IF YOU CONFIRM The customer states they have experienced false activation…
- 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.
NHTSA lists 127 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 2021 Infiniti QX50?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, electrical system, forward collision avoidance. Total complaints: 41. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (32%), engine failure or replacement (27%), loss of power / limp mode (12%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2021 Infiniti QX50?
NHTSA lists 127 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 2021 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 2021 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.