The Infiniti Q50 is a luxury sports sedan that competes with the likes of the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C Class. The Q50 is a very good vehicle that features a powerful engine and spacious seating. The Q50’s good reputation allows it to hold its value in the used car market. It is projected to depreciate by 49% after five years, according to CarEdge.com. For a luxury sports sedan, that’s pretty good.
The Infiniti Q50 has only been in production since 2013. In this article, we’re going to discuss common problems that the Q50 encounters and give you an impression of its overall reliability.
Is the Infiniti Q50 Reliable?
RepairPal has given the Infiniti Q50 a reliability score of 4.0 out of 5.0, which is above average. The BMW 3 Series, which is arguably its main competitor, only scored a 3.0 out of 5.0. This means Q50 owners will spend less on annual repairs compared to most luxury sedan owners. They will also have a smaller probability of needing major repairs during unscheduled mechanic visits. The Q50 is ranked 10th among the 31 luxury midsize cars that RepairPal has rated.
Infiniti Q50 Common Problems
The Infiniti Q50, incredibly, has no common problems according to RepairPal. However, it does have a few known issues according to different websites.
Brake Master Cylinder Failure
The 2014 Infiniti Q50’s brake master cylinder tends to fail prematurely. The brake master cylinder is the component responsible for converting the force that you put into your brake pedal into hydraulic pressure that is sent to the brakes.
The main symptom that Q50 owners have experienced is a spongy-feeling brake pedal. This is caused by the seals inside the master cylinder deteriorating sooner than expected, which results in leaks. After some time, the leaks increase the pressure required to produce the necessary braking power to slow the car down. The stopping distance of your Q50 will get longer, which can increase the risk of getting involved in a rear-end collision. One owner has reported that this problem caused him to damage the front of his vehicle. Luckily, no one was hurt.
The problem can be fixed by simply replacing the faulty master cylinder.
Premature Brake Wear
The brake pads on the Q50 tend to wear out very quickly. Brake pads usually last anywhere between 25,000 and 80,000 miles, depending on your driving habits and vehicle. But many Q50 owners have reported that their brake pads have worn out in as little as 5,000 miles.
Worn-out brake pads can cause your brakes to make screeching noises, result in longer braking distances, and cause the brake pedal to pulsate. If ignored, your brake pads get completely worn and cause the brake caliper to directly bite down on the brake rotor, damaging both components in the process.
One owner has reported that their Q50 brake pads needed to be replaced three times after only 18,000 miles. This problem seems to happen in the 2015 model of the Q50 the most but also seems apparent in the 2014 and 2016 models.
In their frustration, two Q50 owners have instigated a lawsuit against Infiniti. The lawsuit alleges Infiniti knows the braking system is defective but conceals the fact so that the automaker can continue selling vehicles. The lawsuit further alleges that dealers tell owners that nothing is wrong with the brakes even after owners have replaced their pads multiple times already. As for the cause of the brake problems, the lawsuit alleges that the Q50 uses pads that are easily damaged by heat when pads contact the rotors. There doesn’t seem to be a definite resolution until now.
Premature Tire Wear
The tires that came with some Infiniti Q50s off the factory are reportedly subpar. Owners have reported that the original tires don’t last for 10,000 miles when tires are supposed to last for about 50,000 miles. Additionally, these tires also tend to split at the rim, which can cause a blowout at highway speeds. One owner also reported that these tires are so subpar that they developed flat spots after leaving the vehicle parked, which caused vibrations for 15 to 20 minutes until the tires were warmed up and evened out.
Owners are frustrated because for a luxury and performance-oriented brand, Infiniti gave the Q50 a subpar tire off the dealership. Only the 2015 Q50 model has this issue. It’s a good thing that tires can be easily replaced with ones that are made with a stronger compound.
Steering Issues
Several owners have also reported that their power assist system malfunctioned, which resulted in the car not steering straight or becoming difficult to turn. These issues have resulted in several owners telling stories about accidents that they barely avoided, while some have resulted in accidents.
Upon reporting the incidents to Infiniti, one owner was told that his wheel alignment just needed fixing, while most owners were told that there was nothing wrong with their vehicle. This problem seems to recur and the cause of the issue is still unclear, at least according to owner discussions in forums. The 2014 to 2016 Q50 models are the models affected by this issue.
Overall, it’s good that the Infiniti Q50 doesn’t have a significant engine or transmission-related issue, which are the ones that are the most problematic and expensive to repair. That said, it does have the accelerated brake pad issue, which plagues owners until now.
If you’re unsure whether to get an Infiniti Q50, we hope that learning about these common issues can help you make an informed decision. All cars have common issues, but some of these issues are more severe than others. Learning from the experience of other drivers can help you decide whether the car is worth it or not.
Automotive and Tech Writers
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