INFINITI QX50 · model year

2021 INFINITI QX50

41 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

5 / 5 ★

New Car Assessment Program

The 2021INFINITIQX50 carries 41 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 5/5 rating, with 4/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2021 QX50 is engine with 12 filings, followed by forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking (5) and engine and engine cooling (5). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 7 investigation files overlapping the 2021 QX50. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

41
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
2021 INFINITI QX50 — NHTSA crash-test profile NHTSA NCAP crash-test star ratings for the 2021 INFINITI QX50. Overall composite: 5.0 of 5 stars across 3 safety dimensions. Front CrashSide CrashRollover 5.0 NHTSA NCAP of 5 stars
  • Front Crash 4.0 ★
  • Side Crash 5.0 ★
  • Rollover 4.0 ★
NHTSA overall 5.0/5 stars, with front-crash, side-crash and rollover ratings from standardized NCAP barrier and dynamic tests.

Total Complaints

41 filings

Crashes Reported

1 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: 5/5 — Top NCAP rating · Front: 4/5 · Side: 5/5 · Rollover: 4/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE12
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING5
SERVICE BRAKES4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS2
POWER TRAIN2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE1
STEERING1
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY1
WHEELS1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1

Recalls (2)

25V43700027/06/2025

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Rogue, 2019-2020 Altima, 2019-2022 Infiniti QX50, and 2022 Infiniti QX55 vehicles equipped with 3-cylinder 1.5L or 4-cylinder 2.0L variable compression turbo (VC-Turbo) engines. The engine bearings may have manufacturing defects that

21V40200027/05/2021

SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:SPINDLE

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 Nissan Murano, INFINITI QX60, 2021 Nissan GT-R, INFINITI QX50, and Q50 vehicles. The front steering knuckle or rear axle housing may have insufficient strength due to improper heat-treatment.

Recent Complaints

20260211UNKNOWN OR OTHER

On October 29, 2025, my Infiniti QX50 was repaired at Naples Infiniti after the engine under shield detached while driving, ripping off the passenger-side wheel well liner. The technician stated the failure was likely caused by missing bolts from a prior oil change approximately two weeks earlier. Based on that representation, I authorized the repair. That explanation later proved to be incorrect. On January 18, 2026, the entire under shield detached again while driving, once more tearing off the wheel well trim and additional underbody plastic components. This second incident also caused a visible gouge in a new tire. This was the second identical failure, creating a significant and ongoing safety hazard. Subsequent research shows a well-documented pattern affecting 2019–2021 Infiniti QX50 vehicles, where underbody components detach while driving. This strongly suggests a design or materials defect, not isolated maintenance error. On January 19, 2026, while driving to Naples Inf

20260211ENGINE

My 2021 Infiniti QX50 is subject to Recall 25V437000 for engine bearing defects that can cause engine failure, loss of power, and fire. During the recall inspection, Cerritos Infiniti found metal debris. They first diagnosed this debris as being in the engine oil and recommended immediate engine replacement. Days later, they reversed this diagnosis, claiming the debris was only on the removed oil pan from "technician scraping" and that the engine is safe. Infiniti Corporate reviewed the dealer's evidence, denied the warranty claim for an engine replacement, and refuses to provide me with any technical documentation—photographs, video, or analysis—that would verify which diagnosis is correct. They have refused my request for an independent inspection by a Field Technical Representative at a different dealership. The dealer has now threatened $60/day storage fees to coerce me into accepting the vehicle back without any verifiable proof of engine safety. I am being forced to choose

20260129ENGINE

I proactively brought my Infiniti QX50 to the dealership for inspection due to the recall. The service department found metal in the engine, which they stated is related to a known recall issue. The service department told me that I need an engine replacement, but Infiniti has denied engine replacement despite this finding. According to the recall, metal inside the engine presents a risk of sudden engine failure, including loss of power while driving, which increases the risk of a crash. The recall exists to prevent this exact outcome, yet the manufacturer is refusing the recommended remedy. I am concerned about vehicle safety and believe this condition should qualify for engine replacement under the recall.

20260119ENGINE

I took my vehicle into Roswell Infiniti to repair/replace the engine bearings as instructed on the recall notice and as it has been making noises and I have experienced rough driving. The workers did not repair or replace the bearings. And when I reported rough driving and problems with the engine, they offered to charge me $175 for a diagnostic fee. The engine is still driving rough and making knocking noises.

20260113ENGINE

Vehicle: 2021 Infiniti QX50 VIN: [XXX] Mileage at second failure: 154,282 miles I am reporting a repeat engine failure involving bearing material consistent with a known Infiniti VC-Turbo engine defect. The original engine in my 2021 Infiniti QX50 failed and was replaced with a brand-new long block in May 2024 at approximately 85,700 miles. I paid for this engine replacement out of pocket because the recall had not yet been issued. After the engine replacement, the vehicle was regularly maintained with full synthetic oil at reasonable intervals. There was no sludge present in oil, upon inspection. After receiving notice of Infiniti recall R25B2, I contacted the authorized Infiniti dealer (Ed Hicks Infiniti) to request an inspection and was advised to wait because the recall was temporarily on hold. As a precaution, I had another dealership inspect the oil and oil pan on August 18, 2025, and no debris or abnormalities were found at that time. On [XXX], the vehicle experienced eng

20251222FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

The contact owns a 2021 Infiniti QX50. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle experienced phantom braking. There was an unknown message displayed on the instrument panel. The failure had occurred twice. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that the failure was a known issue; however, there was no repair available. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the windshield had previously been replaced, but was installed incorrectly, which could have caused the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000. The VIN was not available.

Mileage: 62,000

20251213ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Around 530pm At the corner of Briarcliff Rd NE Atlanta Ga and N Druid Hills Rd NE Atlanta GA As I was about to accelerate after the Red Light turned green, my car experienced a significant loss of power. Several warning lights came on, the engine light came on and a warning that said System Default came on. I was almost rear ended but was able to put on my hazards and coast to the side of the road, where I turned the car off and back on. It continued to display the warning and system default message as well as loss of power. I was able to coast into the parking garage at work and park. I am a healthcare worker and my shift ends at midnight. I have a 30 minute drive home and I’m afraid my car may do the same thing-lose power- and that can be catastrophic on the interstate. This is not the first time this has happened. I took my car to Infiniti and they said the recall was cancelled for now. I have two small children that I have to transport in my car and it is unsafe. We need a solu

20251213ENGINE

Around 530pm At the corner of Briarcliff Rd NE Atlanta Ga and N Druid Hills Rd NE Atlanta GA As I was about to accelerate after the Red Light turned green, my car experienced a significant loss of power. Several warning lights came on, the engine light came on and a warning that said System Default came on. I was almost rear ended but was able to put on my hazards and coast to the side of the road, where I turned the car off and back on. It continued to display the warning and system default message as well as loss of power. I was able to coast into the parking garage at work and park. I am a healthcare worker and my shift ends at midnight. I have a 30 minute drive home and I’m afraid my car may do the same thing-lose power- and that can be catastrophic on the interstate. This is not the first time this has happened. I took my car to Infiniti and they said the recall was cancelled for now. I have two small children that I have to transport in my car and it is unsafe. We need a solu

20251213FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Around 530pm At the corner of Briarcliff Rd NE Atlanta Ga and N Druid Hills Rd NE Atlanta GA As I was about to accelerate after the Red Light turned green, my car experienced a significant loss of power. Several warning lights came on, the engine light came on and a warning that said System Default came on. I was almost rear ended but was able to put on my hazards and coast to the side of the road, where I turned the car off and back on. It continued to display the warning and system default message as well as loss of power. I was able to coast into the parking garage at work and park. I am a healthcare worker and my shift ends at midnight. I have a 30 minute drive home and I’m afraid my car may do the same thing-lose power- and that can be catastrophic on the interstate. This is not the first time this has happened. I took my car to Infiniti and they said the recall was cancelled for now. I have two small children that I have to transport in my car and it is unsafe. We need a solu

20251203ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2021 Infiniti QX50. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a dealer for an oil change; however, the dealer informed the contact that the turbocharger needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer for an oil change, and the dealer informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer stated that there were metal flakes in the oil pan and that the flakes were believed to be caused by inconsistent oil changes. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was notified that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V437000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the dealer informed the contact that parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The dealer stated that the contact was not eligible for a loaner vehicle. The contact stated that the manuf

Mileage: 90,321

20250917ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2021 Infiniti QX50. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start and was inoperable. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V437000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to complete the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was referred to Roadside Assistance to tow the vehicle to the dealer. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 59,000.

Mileage: 59,000

20250916ENGINE

I received the recall notice approximately 2 weeks ago, the notice state “parts are anticipated to be available beginning in Q4 2025” so I did not schedule for an inspection. This morning, 09/16/2025, I was unable to accelerate after being stopped at a traffic light. I was able to get to a parking lot to have my car towed to an Infiniti Dealership/service center for $260 at their recommended tow provider. After calling the service department to inform them of my vehicle arrival, I requested they run diagnostics for the recall I had received regarding my engine. I received a call shortly after they received my vehicle informing me the diagnostics test would be $250. I agreed and after several calls with no answers I get informed my engine has failed, it is not due to the recall and my cost will be $12,100 for replacement of my engine. I was later informed they had not investigated the recall at all and I would need to sign forms for this. I feel Infiniti of Orlando is not willing to

20250916FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

I received the recall notice approximately 2 weeks ago, the notice state “parts are anticipated to be available beginning in Q4 2025” so I did not schedule for an inspection. This morning, 09/16/2025, I was unable to accelerate after being stopped at a traffic light. I was able to get to a parking lot to have my car towed to an Infiniti Dealership/service center for $260 at their recommended tow provider. After calling the service department to inform them of my vehicle arrival, I requested they run diagnostics for the recall I had received regarding my engine. I received a call shortly after they received my vehicle informing me the diagnostics test would be $250. I agreed and after several calls with no answers I get informed my engine has failed, it is not due to the recall and my cost will be $12,100 for replacement of my engine. I was later informed they had not investigated the recall at all and I would need to sign forms for this. I feel Infiniti of Orlando is not willing to

20250903ENGINE

Vehicle Issue Summary – 2021 INFINITI QX50 I purchased a 2021 INFINITI QX50 in March 2024. Recently, I received notice of an active safety recall (NHTSA 25V437) related to the VC-Turbo engine bearings. In addition to the recall alert, I’ve also experienced several concerning symptoms: 1) A knocking noise when reversing. 2) The malfunction indicator light turning on and off intermittently. 3) Other irregular behaviors that raise concerns about engine performance and overall safety. Given the recall and these symptoms, I’d like to schedule an immediate inspection and any necessary repairs. My job requires me to drive multiple children on a daily basis and is a safety concern for the family I work for. This effects my work situation tremendously and my ability to perform my job responsibilities.

20250903ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Vehicle Issue Summary – 2021 INFINITI QX50 I purchased a 2021 INFINITI QX50 in March 2024. Recently, I received notice of an active safety recall (NHTSA 25V437) related to the VC-Turbo engine bearings. In addition to the recall alert, I’ve also experienced several concerning symptoms: 1) A knocking noise when reversing. 2) The malfunction indicator light turning on and off intermittently. 3) Other irregular behaviors that raise concerns about engine performance and overall safety. Given the recall and these symptoms, I’d like to schedule an immediate inspection and any necessary repairs. My job requires me to drive multiple children on a daily basis and is a safety concern for the family I work for. This effects my work situation tremendously and my ability to perform my job responsibilities.

20250829ENGINE

The specific component or system which has failed and or is malfunctioning is unknown due to the fact the manufacturer and dealer were unable to properly diagnose and resolve the issue. The vehicle continues to malfunction, as of 8/28/2025. Beginning [XXX], the vehicle's engine began to make a very loud, concerning noise. The vehicle was inspected by the Infiniti of Mobile Dealership, in Mobile, Alabama on 12/18/2023. The dealership's service technician diagnosis at the time was the vehicle's radiator fan was stuck wide opened due to a failed idpm and a radiator leak from a crack. The dealership installed a motor and fan assembly and a control unit ipdm. However, the noise persisted after the "repair" and in addition, the heater/ac was not working properly. The vehicle was brought back to the same dealership on 02/22/2024 for further diagnosis. No action was taken by the dealership to repair the issue. The noise and malfunctioning of the A/C/heater persisted and became worse o

20250827ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2021 Infiniti QX50. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V437000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who referenced the Collision Avoidance System; however, did not diagnose the vehicle for any failure. The dealer confirmed that the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was turned off and then restarted to deactivate the check engine warning light. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 28,500.

Mileage: 28,500

20250826ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2021 Infiniti QX50. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V437000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The check engine warning light was illuminated, and the vehicle jerked while driving and failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact called the local dealer and explained the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle could not be inspected if the failure was due to the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 165,000.

Mileage: 165,000

20250818ENGINE

Component or System Failed: Engine failure. The vehicle is available for inspection at Sewell Infinity in Dallas, TX. Safety Risk: The engine failure The loss of acceleration created a serious safety risk. The vehicle was unable to accelerate properly in traffic, which could have caused an accident on the freeway. Fortunately, I was able to get back home and have the vehicle towed. Problem Reproduced/Confirmed: The dealership has confirmed the engine failure after their inspection. Inspection: The vehicle has been inspected by the dealership. Warning Lamps/Messages: There were no prior warning lamps or error messages before or after the engine failure. The failure occurred suddenly without warning. Additional Information: NHTSA shows my VIN [XXX] ) has an active, incomplete recall (Manufacturer Recall Number R25B2, NHTSA Recall Number 25V-437) related to engine failure. However, the dealership denied coverage under warranty citing “lack of maintenance,” even though this is a

20250814FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

While driving on the highway and having no visible vehicle in front of me; my car automatically slams on the breaks and the Emergency Braking system light comes up on the dashboard briefly and then disappears. This has occurred multiple times while driving on highway speeds. It is concerning because there has been no evident or visible vehicles in front of my vehicle when my car abruptly slams on the brakes. To me this is a safety concern. I had mentioned this concern to the service advisor at Infiniti, but he said it would cost approximately $200 just to diagnose it. My vehicle is currently at a Infiniti dealership. They found a lot of metal debris inside the oil pan.

Compare 2021INFINITIQX50 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2021 INFINITI QX50 have?
The 2021 INFINITI QX50 has 41 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2021 INFINITI QX50?
The 2021 INFINITI QX50 received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 5/5, front crash rating of 4/5, side crash rating of 5/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2021 INFINITI QX50?
Yes, the 2021 INFINITI QX50 has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 INFINITI QX50?
The most-complained component for the 2021 INFINITI QX50 is ENGINE with 12 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
Is the 2021 INFINITI QX50 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2021 INFINITI QX50 has an NHTSA safety rating of 5/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.