Here Are The Infiniti Q50 Years To Avoid
We've identified two Infiniti Q50 years to avoid. See which ones (and why you should steer clear based on commonly-reported issues).
The luxury sedan segment may not be as popular as it was a decade or so ago, but it’s still a compelling class due to the numerous sporty sedans available. Offerings such as the Audi A4 and the BMW 3-series are excellent options if you want exhilarating performance and pure driving dynamics to make your day. With that said, one model that’s worth checking out is the Infiniti Q50 luxury sports sedan.
The Infiniti Q50 is praised for its gorgeous bodywork, smooth and satisfying engines, and good value for the money. While it doesn’t come close to segment competitors like the BMW 3 Series, the Q50 offers decent driving dynamics and enjoyable handling for demanding drivers. So is the Infiniti Q50 worth buying as used?
When buying used, you have to take long-term reliability into account. Like all vehicles, not all Infiniti Q50 years are created equal, and some models are simply more reliable than others. So for today’s post, we compiled the worst Infiniti Q50 years to avoid and which ones you should consider buying used. Let’s take a look.
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Which Infiniti Q50 Years To Avoid?
According to RepairPal, the Infiniti Q50 has a reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5.0, an Above Average score. This puts the Q50 in the 10th spot of the most reliable luxury midsize cars. Thus, buyers looking for a luxury midsize sedan that doesn’t require much maintenance should consider the Infiniti Q50. Having said that, below are the worst Infiniti Q50 years to avoid:
- 2014 Infiniti Q50
- 2015 Infiniti Q50
2014 Infiniti Q50
Debut models are generally prone to reliability issues, and the 2014 Infiniti Q50 is no exception. When the 2014 Q50 was released, it didn’t exactly light the market on fire. Nevertheless, the Q50 was praised for its potent V6 engine and upmarket cabin quality. Unfortunately, the Q50 also happens to be the worst model in terms of reliability.
THE MOST RELIABLE YEAR FOR THE INFINITI Q50
You’ll only want to spend your money on the most reliable Infiniti Q50 year you can. If you don’t know what that year is, keep reading; we’ll break down the answer to this question and more.
Warped Brakes
According to CarComplaints.com, the 2014 Infiniti Q50 has received 21 complaints, and its most common issue is the warped brakes. Frustrated owners were forced to prematurely replace their brake rotors and pads due to warped brakes. A user from New York wrote:
Brakes were warped after being cut twice. Sport brakes were terrible..they tried to fix the issue. The only way was to replace the brakes. They also make horrible groaning noises sounded like a rusty swing set.
In other cases, drivers also experienced various symptoms like squeaking noises, excessive vibrations, and grooves from the rotor. We highly recommend checking this Q50 model year for warped brakes before considering it for purchase.
Steering Issues
The Q50 offered various driving features for a more engaging ride, and one of the most notable ones was the Direct Adaptive Steering System (DAS). The DAS was designed to streamline the steering mechanism for precision driving, but it became a trouble spot for the Q50. It was Nissan’s attempt at autonomous driving capabilities, but it fell flat on its face in the Q50.
According to various reports, the DAS can cause multiple problems during startup and may lead to decreased responsiveness and turning radius. Apparently, the DAS was also known to disable the electronic steering system when the temperature dropped.
As a result, this steering issue has forced Nissan to recall 60,000 Q50 sedans. According to Nissan representative Stefan Weinmann:
That system could malfunction “in certain rare circumstances, just after starting the vehicle” when a software glitch “can lead to a lack of steering responsiveness and change in turning radius,”
This issue shouldn’t be much of a deal breaker since the steering troubles were fixed by reprogramming the steering ECU software.
2015 Infiniti Q50
The 2015 Infiniti Q50 is much more reliable than the debut model – but it has its fair share of issues that make it hard to recommend. Two of the most common problems of the 2015 Q50 are:
Premature Tire Wear
A few owners of this midsize sedan claimed they had to replace their tires due to premature wear. According to a user from Philadelphia:
Went through 5 tires in 2 years. These tires cannot handle any potholes. I have 3 other cars in the house and none of the other cars have this issue. The roads are bad in Philadelphia but they are not bad enough to go through 5 tires.
This reliability issue was particularly frustrating because it’s a low-mileage issue at around 12,100 miles. Thankfully, this issue was covered by warranty.
Brake Issues
Although less prevalent, the 2015 Infiniti Q50 also struggled with brake issues like the debut model. According to the reports, the Q50’s brake rotors were prone to warping, which accelerated the wear and tear of the brake pads. Frustrated drivers had to replace their brake pads a lot sooner than expected. One user wrote:
Started to detect a light vibration while braking at around 4,500 miles, took it to my dealer to get it checked out. Service Adviser told me that because of how I drive, the rotors are warped and would require resurfacing. Advised him that my commute is less than 7 miles each way to work and that there is absolutely no stop/go city traffic in my suburbs at that time of night.
While brake rotors may warp over time because of wear, it certainly is not normal for them to happen at such low mileage. This makes the 2015 model one of the worst Infiniti Q50 years to avoid.
Which Infiniti Q50 Years To Buy?
The 2019 and 2020 Q50 models are the most reliable for the current lineup. The 2019 Q50 received good reliability feedback from critics and customers alike. According to J.D. Power, the 2019 Infiniti Q50 scored 82 out of 100 in Quality & Reliability. Consumer Reports also rated the 2019 Q50 with a high score of 4.0 out of 5.0 for reliability.
Meanwhile, the 2020 Q50 also scored high marks in reliability. J.D. Power gave the 2020 model year a respectable reliability score of 81 out of 100, which is rated Great. It’s a solid pick for a used luxury midsize sedan.
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Frequently Asked Questions: Infiniti Q50 Years to Avoid
Q: Which Infiniti Q50 model years are the least reliable?
A: The 2014 and 2015 Infiniti Q50 are considered the worst model years in terms of reliability. These two years have been reported to have various issues that make them less desirable for used car buyers.
Q: What are the most common problems with the 2014 Infiniti Q50?
A: The 2014 Infiniti Q50, the debut model, is known for having warped brakes and steering issues. Owners have complained about prematurely replacing brake rotors and pads and problems with the Direct Adaptive Steering System (DAS), which decreases responsiveness and changes the turning radius.
Q: Did Nissan address the steering issues in the 2014 Infiniti Q50
A: Yes, Nissan recalled 60,000 Q50 sedans to fix the steering problems by reprogramming the steering ECU software. The issue was related to a software glitch that could cause a lack of steering responsiveness and changes in turning radius under certain rare circumstances.
Q: Which Infiniti Q50 model years are considered the most reliable?
A: The 2019 and 2020 Infiniti Q50 models are considered the most reliable in the current lineup. Both model years have received high scores and positive feedback from critics and customers.
Are Infiniti Q50s typically reliable?
The Infiniti Q50, which debuted in 2014, has remained mostly unchanged over the last decade. Troubles appear concentrated in the earlier model years. So, focus on more recent examples for better dependability odds.
How much does a used Infiniti Q50 typically cost?
Like most used cars, price is determined by many factors (such as condition and mileage). However, age greatly impacts what you’ll pay for a used Infiniti Q50. According to CoPilot Price Pulse, the typical 2014 Q50 has a $17,270 asking price. But shopping for a 2021 edition means spending an average of $32,682 (which includes a 12% premium due to marketplace conditions).
Is the Infiniti Q50 a good car to purchase?
With careful research, the Infiniti Q50 can be a cost-effective alternative to compact sport sedans from BMW and Mercedes. The key to success is picking from the most reliable Q50 model years to ensure fewer ownership headaches.
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