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2016 Infiniti Q50 problems: what to check before you buy

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2016 Infiniti Q50, the newest filed in 2024, and owners have filed 39 complaints, with the engine (10) and the electrical system (8) named most often. Before you buy one, run its VIN through NHTSA's free recall lookup; the $14.99 original ClearVIN PDF shows title brands, odometer readings, accident and auction records on file.

By VIN Lookup Research DeskPublished 2026-08-27Updated NHTSA data 2026-09-15
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Direct answer

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for the 2016 Infiniti Q50, alongside 39 owner complaints filed with the agency, most often about the engine. Eligible recall remedies are generally free through the manufacturer's approved repair process, even after the warranty ends; some software remedies are delivered remotely. Federal no-charge coverage has an age limit for vehicles first sold more than 15 years before the recall notice; manufacturers may cover older vehicles voluntarily. Check the specific VIN — a previous owner may already have had the work done.

Half of the 20 NHTSA owner complaints on the 2016 Infiniti Q50 that list mileage came after 32,000 miles (NHTSA complaints file of November 11, 2026). How many miles will an Infiniti Q50 last? →

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What to check before buying a used 2016 Q50

Model-year data describes the production run, not the car in front of you: two cars of this model year can differ entirely, one with every recall repaired and the other with none. The counts below are from NHTSA data collected on 2026-09-15.

  1. Verify the 4 recall campaigns by VINCopy the 17-character VIN from the windshield or driver-door label, not from the listing, and run it through NHTSA's free recall lookup. It shows unrepaired recalls within its coverage and does not show completed repairs, so ask the seller for dated repair paperwork. The campaigns cover the powertrain, the fuel system, steering and the airbags. The newest, 24V470000, was filed in 2024.
  2. Test-drive for what Q50 owners report most10 of the 39 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine: on the drive, start it cold, listen for knocking or ticking, watch for warning lights and smoke, and look for oil or coolant leaks. Another 8 name the electrical system: try every light, window, lock, screen and power outlet, and watch for warning lights or a slow start. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not proven defects, but they show where to look.
  3. Check the title and odometer in the history reportRecall and complaint data describe the 2016 production run, not this car's past. The VIN decode here is free; the $14.99 original ClearVIN PDF lists title brands, odometer readings, accident and auction records on file for that VIN. Records vary by vehicle, and a missing record does not prove nothing happened.
  4. Book an independent pre-purchase inspectionHave a mechanic you choose inspect this Q50 before you buy, and ask them to look hardest at the engine, the electrical system and steering.

Is the 2016 Q50 a good car to buy used?

NHTSA's records cannot rate one used 2016 Infiniti Q50; they can show how this model year compares with the other Q50 years in this site's 2015–2022 NHTSA collection. The 2016 has 39 owner complaints on file; of the eight Q50 model years in this site's 2015–2022 NHTSA collection (2015–2022), three drew more and four drew fewer. That count is too thin to read as a quiet year rather than a gap in NHTSA's records. The 2015 stands out instead, at 129. Its 4 recall campaigns tie the 2017 for the most of any Q50 year in the 2015–2022 collection. These counts track how many were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they rank years within the Q50, not build quality; whether one 2016 Q50 is a good buy depends on its own history and condition.

Which 2015–2022 Q50 years have the most complaints?

Among the eight Q50 model years in this site's 2015–2022 NHTSA collection, the 2015 has the most owner complaints, 129. The 2016 has 39. Older and better-selling years have had more time and more owners to file reports.

Q50 model years in our 2015–2022 collection (not NHTSA's full record), NHTSA data collected 2026-09-15
Model yearOwner complaintsRecall campaigns
20151293
2016 (this page)394
2017624
2018423
2019301
202030
202153
202210

Infiniti Q50 years to avoid: every year compared →

2016 Infiniti Q50 recalls and reported problems at a glance

4NHTSA safety recallsCampaigns covering this model year
39Owner complaintsFiled with NHTSA, unverified

What owners report most

These are the vehicle systems named most often in complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Infiniti Q50. A complaint is an unverified owner report: it does not establish a defect, and a high count can simply reflect a popular model. Use it to decide where an inspection should look hardest.

Most-reported systems, 2016 Infiniti Q50 (NHTSA complaints)
Vehicle systemComplaints
Engine10
Electrical System8
Steering6
Air Bags5
Power Train4
Fuel/propulsion System3

Recall campaigns for the 2016 Infiniti Q50

Each campaign below is an official NHTSA record. An eligible remedy is generally free through the manufacturer’s approved process, which may be an authorized service visit or remote software update. Federal no-charge coverage has a 15-year first-sale limit measured at the recall notice; manufacturers may cover older vehicles voluntarily. A campaign covers a production range. Check the VIN for open recalls within NHTSA’s coverage; confirm applicability and completed repairs with the manufacturer or an authorized dealer.

NHTSA recall campaigns recorded for the 2016 Infiniti Q50
CampaignComponentIssue
24V470000POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFTNissan North America, Inc. (INFINITI) is recalling certain 2011-2013 M56, 2012-2013 M35 Hybrid, 2014-2018 Q50, Q70 Hybrid, 2014-2019 Q70, and 2015-2019 Q70L two-wheel drive vehicles. The driveshaft can fatigue and break.
17V476000FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMPNissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Infiniti Q50 and 2017 Infiniti Q60 vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine. Incorrect Fuel Pump Control Module (FPCM) software may allow the fuel level in the main tank to be too low to supply fuel to the engine, causing the engine to…
16V430000STEERING:AUTOMATED/ADAPTIVE STEERINGNissan North America, Inc.'s (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Infiniti Q50 vehicles manufactured December 26, 2012, to December 11, 2015, and Infiniti Q50 Hybrid vehicles manufactured December 10, 2012, to December 17, 2015. The Direct Adaptive Steering system may experience an e…
16V244000AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATIONNissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2013-2016 Nissan Altima, NV200, LEAF, Sentra, and Pathfinder, 2014-2016 Nissan NV200 Taxi, Infiniti QX60, QX60 Hybrid, and Q50 Hybrid, 2014-2017 Nissan Rogue and Infiniti Q50, 2015-2016 Nissan Murano, Muran…

What this data cannot tell you

  • A complete recall or repair history for one vehicle. NHTSA’s VIN lookup covers unrepaired recalls within its scope; confirm missing campaigns and completed work with the manufacturer or an authorized dealer.
  • Whether a complaint is accurate. NHTSA publishes owner reports without verifying them.
  • How reliable the model is overall: complaint volume tracks how many vehicles were sold as much as how they hold up.
  • Anything about title brands, accident history, odometer records, or liens on an individual vehicle.
Evidence

Primary sources behind this page

Open the underlying public source and verify that its scope matches the question you are asking.

  1. Recalls Lookup by VINNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration
  2. Vehicle recall remedy age limitNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration
  3. NHTSA recall and complaint datasets: scope and API documentationNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration
  4. Vehicle Product Information Catalog (vPIC)National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
  5. NHTSA recall campaign 24V470000National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
  6. NHTSA recall campaign 17V476000National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
  7. NHTSA recall campaign 16V430000National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
  8. NHTSA recall campaign 16V244000National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
  9. Approved NMVTIS Data Providers — checked October 26, 2026U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance

The 2026-09-15 data collection queried these NHTSA model names for 2016 Infiniti: Q50. Records appearing under more than one name are counted once. The documentation explains the collection endpoints; a campaign link opens its official record across all affected vehicles, not the recall status of a specific VIN.

Quick answers

2016 Infiniti Q50 questions

What should I check before buying a used 2016 Infiniti Q50?

Check the 4 NHTSA recall campaigns against the car's VIN with NHTSA's free lookup and ask for dated repair paperwork. Owners name the engine and the electrical system most often in 39 complaints; those are unverified reports, not proven defects, but they show what to test on the drive. Recall data says nothing about this car's past: the $14.99 original ClearVIN PDF lists title brands, odometer readings, accident and auction records on file for the VIN. Finish with an independent pre-purchase inspection.

How many recalls does the 2016 Infiniti Q50 have?

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls covering the 2016 Infiniti Q50 as of 2026-09-15. Whether a specific vehicle is affected — and whether the repair was already done — depends on its VIN.

What are the most common 2016 Infiniti Q50 problems?

Owners most often report problems with the engine, the electrical system and steering to NHTSA. These are unverified owner reports and do not establish a defect, but they show where to focus an inspection.

Are Infiniti recall repairs free?

Generally, yes for eligible vehicles, even after the warranty ends. Federal law limits the required no-charge remedy when a vehicle was first sold more than 15 years before the recall notice; a manufacturer may still cover an older vehicle voluntarily. Check the VIN with the manufacturer for the approved remedy, which may be a dealer visit or a remote software update.

Can I check recalls on a specific 2016 Infiniti Q50 VIN?

Yes. NHTSA's free VIN lookup reports unrepaired recalls within its coverage. It excludes completed repairs and can omit some recent recalls, older campaigns and vehicles outside its coverage. A zero result is not a complete recall or repair history. Ask the seller or manufacturer for dated repair documentation.