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Infiniti Q50 VIN Number Check

Run a free NHTSA vPIC decode on an Infiniti Q50 VIN to confirm the model year and engine, then see which of the 14 NHTSA recall campaigns for 2014–2024 cover that year.

VIN prefixJN1

Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.

Vinny, the VinNumber key mascot
Infiniti Q50

About the Infiniti Q50

Infiniti sold the Q50 in the US for model years 2014–2024. Across those years NHTSA lists 14 vehicle recall campaigns and 512 owner complaints. The 2014 has the most complaints of any model year (189). EPA rates it at 21–31 mpg combined. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.

US model years2014–2024
EPA classMidsize Cars
NHTSA recall campaigns14
Owner complaints512 at NHTSA
Infiniti Q50 photographed at a US vehicle auction
Auction lot photo, for illustration
Generations

Infiniti Q50 at a glance

One generation in the data, 2014–2024: 14 NHTSA recall campaigns and 512 owner complaints.

1 / 1
Q50
2014–2024Midsize Cars
Infiniti Q50 (2014–2024)

Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons

201420202024
2014–2024

Infiniti Q50

EPA classMidsize Cars
EPA combined mpg21–31
NHTSA recalls14

Engines (EPA)

  • 3.5 L 6-cyl (hybrid) · 2014–2018
  • 3.7 L 6-cyl · 2014–2015
  • 2.0 L 4-cyl (turbo) · 2016–2019
  • 3.0 L 6-cyl (turbo) · 2016–2024

Drive & transmission (EPA)

  • AWD/4WD, RWD
  • automatic (2014–2024)

Known issues to check

Steering (133)Electrical system (92)Engine and cooling (88)1 high-risk recall campaign

Mentions in 512 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · Q50JN1BV7AR?EM······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2014 Infiniti Q50, built in Tochigi, Kaminokawa
Check a Q50 VIN

Sources: EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which Q50 model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 14 campaigns on file for Q50 model years 2014–2024, and the 2014 shows up in more of them than any other year (8), ahead of the 2016 (4). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

2014
Air bag inflator, fire risk or do-not-drive/park-outside advisorySafety recall
Pick a row
What to ask

Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.

Transport Canada recalls for these model years were checked against this list; each one matches an NHTSA campaign shown here. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What Infiniti Q50 owners report

Owner summaries + NHTSA data

Between them, the 2014 and 2015 hold 319 of the 512 complaints, or 62%. Tap any bar or generation.

512NHTSA complaints, 2014–2024
42mention a crash
5mention a fire
22injuries reported
Owner complaints by model yearQ50: 512 complaints · most for the 2014 (189)

Top complaint areas · Q50

Mentions in 512 complaints, 2014–2024.

Steering133
Electrical system92
Engine and cooling88
Powertrain (transmission, driveline)81
Air bags65
Speed control / acceleration47
Crashes 42Fires 5Injuries 22

2014–2024

NHTSA data summary

The 2014 is the outlier. On its own it has 189 of the ’s 512 complaints (37%), more than any other Q50 model year. By area, nothing stands out. Steering leads with 133, with the electrical system (92) and engine and cooling (88) close behind.

What Q50 owners report across recent generations

Owner summary

2014–2024 (1st generation)

The 2014 draws the most complaints. Many NHTSA owners of the 2014 describe problems with the steer by wire Direct Adaptive Steering system, while owners of the 2015 more often report transmission valve body failures that leave the car in limp mode. CarComplaints lists warped brakes, a failed master cylinder and a failed transmission control module for 2014, and uneven tire wear, loss of power and brake wear for 2015. Infiniti ended the Q50 after 2024. Recalls cover Direct Adaptive Steering on 2014–2016 models, passenger seat sensors on 2014–2017 models and driveshafts on 2014–2018 models that may break. [1] [2] [3] [4]

What to check before buying

  • Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup, including the steering, seat sensor and driveshaft recalls.
  • Ask whether the transmission valve body has been replaced and for brake service records.
  • On the drive, check that the steering feels steady and centers normally, watch for a transmission warning or limp mode, and feel for pulsing brakes.
Sources (4) and method
Sources:
  1. NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, 2014 Infiniti Q50
  2. NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, 2015 Infiniti Q50
  3. CarComplaints.com, 2014 Infiniti Q50 problems
  4. CarComplaints.com, 2015 Infiniti Q50 problems

Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.

Owner summary updated September 25, 2026.

Owner complaints · by model year

Q50 complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Hybrid Q50 versions count alongside gas ones. Tap a year to see its top systems.

512complaints, 2014–2024
42mention a crash
5mention a fire
22injuries reported
1complaint reports a death
Most complaints: 2014 (189), 2015 (130), 2017 (62)
189’14130’1562’17’20

2014 · 189 complaints

Crashes 14 · fires 2 · injuries 8 · complaints reporting a death 1

Steering85
Electrical system47
Power train19
Air bags18
Service brakes17

Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.

EPA fuel economy & emissions

Q50 CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 68 Q50 versions for model years 2014–2024 (gas and hybrid). The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 282 g/mi, for the 2014 hybrid. Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

Q502014–2024

21–31 mpg · CO₂ 282–422 g/mi

2024
23combined MPG
388CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)
$3,550EPA yearly fuel cost
3/10Smog rating
1 = worst · 10 = cleanest
5/10Greenhouse gas rating
California LEV-III ULEV125 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 125Emission standard
Cleanest gas version of 2024: Q50 · Auto (S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo — 23 MPG · 388 g/mi
Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year
250300350400450201520202014 · Gas: 3842015 · Gas: 3842016 · Gas: 3442017 · Gas: 3452018 · Gas: 3492019 · Gas: 3562020 · Gas: 3872021 · Gas: 3882022 · Gas: 3882023 · Gas: 3882024 · Gas: 3882014 · Hybrid: 2822015 · Hybrid: 2862016 · Hybrid: 2952017 · Hybrid: 3082018 · Hybrid: 308
GasHybrid

Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare rivals

Q50 vs Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs BMW 5 Series

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 2014–2024. NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns for the Q50, against 77 for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and 34 for the BMW 5 Series. Pick a range to compare.

Infiniti Q50

Model years 2014–2024

NHTSA recall campaigns
14
NHTSA owner complaints
512
EPA combined mpg
21–31
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 2.0 L · 6-cyl 3.0, 3.5, 3.7 L
Also listed
hybrid, turbo
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, RWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Steering 133
  2. Electrical system 92
  3. Engine and cooling 88

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Model years 2014–2024

NHTSA recall campaigns
77
NHTSA owner complaints
853
EPA combined mpg
17–27
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 2.0 L · 6-cyl 3.0, 3.5 L · 8-cyl 4.0, 4.7, 5.5 L
Also listed
turbo, hybrid, mild hybrid, supercharged
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, RWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Electrical system 139
  2. Air bags 125
  3. Engine and cooling 120

BMW 5 Series

Model years 2014–2024

NHTSA recall campaigns
34
NHTSA owner complaints
612
EPA combined mpg
18–30
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 2.0 L · 6-cyl 3.0 L · 8-cyl 4.4 L
Also listed
turbo, diesel, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, mild hybrid
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, RWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Engine and cooling 222
  2. Electrical system 168
  3. Air bags 96

NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.

Infiniti Q50 VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on a Q50

Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.

Grey INFINITI Q50 (first generation) sedan, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

Before purchasing a used Q50, locate the VIN at the lower driver's side windshield and compare it to the door jamb sticker and trunk lid label.

  1. Windshield plateRead it through the glass at the base of the driver's side windshield.
    Source: 49 CFR 565.13(f) (NHTSA): VIN inside the passenger compartment, readable through the glazing next to the left windshield pillar
  2. Door jamb labelOpen the driver's door: the certification label on the B-pillar lists the VIN.
    Source: 49 CFR 567.4 (NHTSA): certification label with VIN at the driver door hinge pillar, latch post or door edge
The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.
FAQ

Common Infiniti Q50 VIN questions

Which Infiniti Q50 model years have the most owner complaints?

The 2014 leads with 189, ahead of the 2015 (130) and 2017 (62). Those first two alone make up 62% of the 512 Q50 complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the Infiniti Q50 had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 14 vehicle campaigns for model years 2014–2024, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns.

Which Infiniti Q50 recalls are high risk?

17V-571 covers an air bag inflator module and how it deploys. It should show as closed on a VIN check.

What fuel economy does the Infiniti Q50 get?

It varies. EPA rates the 2014–2024 Q50 at 21–31 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the Infiniti Q50 compare with the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and BMW 5 Series on recalls?

For 2014–2024 models the Q50 has 14 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class has 77, the BMW 5 Series 34. Complaints run 512, 853 and 612 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

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