2020 INFINITI QX50

Recalls, Specs & Safety Report

Expert Verdict
⚠️Elevated Concerns

The 2020 INFINITI QX50 presents a mixed reliability profile with critical issues in the engine and tire components. Owners should be particularly vigilant as peak failure rates occur around 60,000 to 80,000 miles, where significant mechanical failures may arise.

Key Factor:Engine defects pose risks

📋Why This Matters

The recalls for the QX50 center on essential components like tires and engine internals. The issue with the tire placard may seem minor, but it affects safety compliance and could lead to improper tire usage. More importantly, the engine bearing defects represent a serious concern; they can lead to complete engine failure if not addressed. Such failures not only entail high repair costs but could also leave drivers stranded in potentially dangerous situations. For a luxury brand, this is not the kind of reliability expected by buyers.

Focus Area:Safety Profile
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Expert Analysis

Overall, while the QX50 has some strong qualities typical of INFINITI vehicles, the notable recalls indicate that its year-over-year safety trend is less favorable than one would hope for a newer model. This vehicle's reliability concerns place it below expectations for luxury SUVs.

Safety & Reliability Score

83/100

Score Breakdown

Recall Impact-16
Complaint Impact-1.1
Investigation Impact-0

Technical Specifications

Key specifications for the 2020 INFINITI QX50

Model Year2020
MakeINFINITI
ModelQX50
Fuel TypeGasoline
Body ClassPassenger Vehicle

Safety History Timeline

Jan20
NEWProduction
Jan20
RECALLRecall Issued
Jan20
RECALLRecall Issued
Oct20
ISSUEFirst Report

Consumer Complaint Analysis

⚠️

Most Reported Issue

8 complaints (36% of total)
➡️

Complaint Trend

Stable
No trend data

Safety Incidents

No critical incidents

Complaint Severity Distribution

Breakdown of 22 consumer complaints by severity level.

🟠High
2(9%)
🟡Medium
8(36%)
🟢Low
12(55%)

Mileage Failure Analysis

⚙️Engineering Insight

With peak failure occurrences noted between 60k-80k miles, current owners should prepare for potential issues as they approach these mileage thresholds. Regular maintenance and monitoring of warning signs are crucial during this period to avoid unexpected breakdowns and costly repairs.

📊 Mileage data extracted from 3 of 22 complaints (14% coverage)
0-20k
0 reports (0%)
20k-40k
1 reports (33%)
40k-60k
0 reports (0%)
60k-80k
2 reports (67%)
80k-100k
0 reports (0%)
100k+
0 reports (0%)
* Analysis based on mileage data extracted from consumer complaint descriptions. Actual failure rates may vary.

🛠️ DIY Diagnosis Center

Experiencing an issue? Select a symptom to find official manufacturer solutions (TSBs).

Primary Risk Areas

TIRESENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

🎯Risk Areas & Recommended Actions

Based on recall data, these components require verification:

1

Engine Bearings

Issue: Manufacturing defects may lead to engine failure.

Schedule an inspection for any unusual noises or performance issues immediately.

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Inquire about any service records related to engine inspections or repairs.

2

Tires

Issue: Illegible tire size/load placard may lead to incorrect tire usage.

Verify tire specifications independently and consider re-labeling if needed.

🔍

Check that the tire placard is clear and compliant before purchase.

💡Visit NHTSA.gov or contact your INFINITI dealer to verify recall completion status.

Official Safety Recalls (2)

Campaign: 21V025000

TIRES

Summary

Nissan North America, Inc. (INFINITI) is recalling certain 2020 INFINITI QX50 vehicles. The text of the Tire and Loading Information placard, including the tire size and loading capacity, may be illegible. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Consequence

Illegible tire size or loading capacity information can lead to the incorrect sized tire being installed or its overloading, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

INFINITI will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the legibility of and, as necessary, replaced the placard, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200. Infiniti's number for this recall is PC788.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.

Campaign: 25V437000

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

Summary

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 can lead to engine failure.

Consequence

Engine failure increases the risk of a crash. A bearing failure may cause a breach in the engine block, allowing hot oil to be discharged, increasing the risk of an engine fire.

Remedy

Dealers will reprogram the engine control module (ECM) software, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed August 25, 2025. A second letter is expected to be mailed December 4, 2025. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261 or Infiniti's customer service at 1-800-662-6200. Nissan's numbers for this recall are R25A8/A9 and R25B1/B2.

Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.

NHTSA Investigations

0 investigations

No active investigations for this vehicle.

Consumer Complaints

22 total complaints

Consumer-reported issues submitted to NHTSA for 2020 QX50.

Common Reported SymptomsAI Analysis

Warning36%
Acceleration Issues27%
Display18%
Fire9%
Power Loss9%
Smell9%
Crash/Accident9%
Accident9%
Stall9%
Jerk9%
Engine/Powertrain🔵 Low
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2020 Infiniti QX50. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended and lost motive power. There were no warning lights illuminated. No further information was available. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V437000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was taken to an unknown local dealer, where it was determined that the timing belt needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that there was an unresolved dispute with the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was unknown.

Engine/Powertrain🔵 Low
ENGINE

About 3 months ago I took my car to be inspected for recall Infinity Dealership stated the drained oil and dropped oil pan and inspected for debris on bottom on oil pan however manufacturer has stated engine beating failure happens progressively not all of a sudden I believe the system malfunctioning light I’ve been seeing on my dash is a direct result of something that was missed during recall inspection.

Engine/Powertrain🔵 Low
ENGINE

Crest Infiniti staff, including Service Rep Trevor and Manager Randy Nadors, misrepresented Recall 25V437 as "not a safety recall" and claimed repairs were stopped until year-end. This contradicts NHTSA"s designation of 25V437 as a serious safety recall and Infiniti Corporate's confirmation. Their false statements indicate a failure to disclose material safety information and unsatisfactory service, thereby putting consumers at risk.

Engine/Powertrain⚠️ High
ENGINE

My vehicle is affected by Recall 25V437. I am already experiencing recall-related symptoms, including stuttering, unusual engine noises, and uneven acceleration. I leased the vehicle through DFW Auto and Services INC, On August 15, 2025, at 9:35 AM, I spoke with Sam in the finance department of DFW Auto and Services INC during a 3‑minute call from 214‑205‑7327. I specifically asked about the recall affecting this vehicle. Sam stated that the recall had been “taken care of.” This was false, as Recall 25V437 remains open and unresolved. The dealership misrepresented the recall status of my vehicle, failed to disclose that Recall 25V437 remained open, and delivered a defective product – a vehicle with a known safety defect that directly impacts usability, value, and consumer safety. On November 18, 2025, I submitted a formal complaint to the Attorney General regarding this matter. This misrepresentation placed me at risk of driving a vehicle with a known safety defect that could result in sudden engine failure or fire. I am requesting NHTSA to investigate the dealer’s misrepresentation and ensure proper enforcement of Recall 25V437. This recall must be remedied at no cost to me. I have contacted: Crest Infiniti 6100 State Highway 121, Frisco, TX 75034 to have Recall 25V437 remedied. I am currently still waiting response from the service center for an appointment to have the engine replaced.

Engine/Powertrain🔵 Low
ENGINE

I am submitting a formal safety complaint regarding Recall R25B2 on my 2020 Infiniti QX50. I purchased the vehicle in July 2024 from a dealership in Indiana and currently reside in Illinois. Summary of the Issue In July 2025, I received notice that my VIN was included in Recall R25B2 for an engine-related defect. Infiniti of Orland Park (IL) inspected the vehicle and confirmed that it exhibited symptoms consistent with the recall. My recall/warranty repair was denied because Infiniti claims the engine is “branded” in its internal system. This branding does not appear on Carfax or any public record and was never disclosed at the time of sale. According to California DMV documentation I obtained, the vehicle sat on a California Infiniti dealership lot from 2022 through 2024 before being auctioned. Infiniti later stated that the engine was branded in 2023 due to “lack of maintenance”—a period when the vehicle was under Infiniti’s possession or control. I purchased an Infiniti Vehicle Service Contract (VSC) in 2024 (which has since been refunded), indicating Infiniti’s own retail systems did not flag the vehicle as ineligible. During two prior oil services (January 2025 and the week before the recall inspection), no dealership representative mentioned any “engine smut” or branding concerns until the recall claim was denied. I believe this situation represents a safety and consumer transparency issue. Infiniti is allegedly using non-public internal “engine branding” flags to deny recall eligibility for vehicles otherwise included in a safety recall. Consumers and selling dealerships have no way to access or verify these internal designations through Carfax or public records. As a result, affected vehicles may be excluded from safety recall repairs without notice or recourse—despite meeting all other criteria. Requested NHTSA Actions Investigate whether Infiniti/Nissan is improperly using internal branding to deny Recall R25B2 remedies to otherwise eligible vehicles.

Engine/Powertrain🔵 Low
POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE

Infiniti has acknowledged that certain vehicles equipped with this engine may experience bearing failures caused by a manufacturing defect affecting the main, A-, C-, and L-link bearings. These defects can result in engine damage or complete engine failure, as outlined in Infiniti’s recall notice. In September 2025, I took my vehicle to an authorized Infiniti service center after receiving notice of the recall. At that time, I was informed that no repair remedy was yet available. I continued operating the vehicle as advised, and no warning lights or performance issues were present. However, on October 16, 2025, the Service Engine Light illuminated unexpectedly. I immediately brought the vehicle to the nearest certified repair facility the following day (October 17, 2025). Diagnostic testing determined that the engine had suffered internal bearing failure, consistent with the known recall condition. The vehicle required a complete engine replacement, which I had to proceed with at significant personal expense, covering both parts and labor. At no time prior to this incident did my vehicle display any warning indicators or abnormal performance. The sudden nature of the engine failure created a serious safety concern and considerable financial hardship. I am therefore formally requesting reimbursement or assistance with the full cost of the engine replacement and associated labor. I have attached supporting documentation, including repair invoices, diagnostic reports, and proof of payment, for your review. Given that the failure directly relates to the known defect identified in the recall, I believe reimbursement is both appropriate and warranted.

Other🔵 Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The plastic clips on the panoramic sunroof holding the sunshade cover snapped while I was driving causing the shade to rapidly roll up. Note that there was no misuse of the sunroof shade and I wasn’t even using it when this Happened. This seems like a dangerous liability in case it were to hit the driver while on the road or distract them. After looking at my extended warranty I found my dealer does not cover the repair and I have to pay upward of 2k just for the plastic clips. There are no TBS for my vehicles vin on the sunroof rails breaking but there are for rattling and it even mentions issues with the clips but no problem to fix it. There are no lights to indicate this feature is broken on the dash as well.

Engine/Powertrain⚠️ High
ENGINE

I experienced loss of power while on the interstate and at that time I was unaware of what the issue was until I received a Recall regarding the engine. I often have my grandson [XXX]) who sits in the back seat of my 2020 QX/50. I went into the Infiniti of South of Atlanta, Union City, Georgia 30291 and I was informed by my Service Representative (Mrs. Dyamond Cobb) on September 12, 2025 @ 11:00 a.m. that this Recall has been suspended. I was given info to reach out to Infiniti Consumer Affairs Department and also to submit through on line a complaint to www.safercar.gov and I am submitting this info on line as a means to document that I am having serious concerns. I am making payments on a vehicle that could cost me and my family our life! In addition, the dealership is definitely NOT ACTING ON BEHALF OF THE CUSTOMER WHATSOEVER! I will SUE should this vehicle loose power in the stream of ongoing traffic or on the interstate, this is my only vehicle and no one is willing to assist with repairs KNOWING THERE IS AN ENGINE ISSUE and a bearing failure may cause a break in the engine block allowing hot oil to be discharged increasing the risk of an ENGINE FIRE! This is a SERIOUS SITUATION and I SHOULD NOT BE FORCED TO DRIVE AN UNSAFE VEHICLE THAT I CURRENTLY MAKE PAYMENTS ON!!!! LAW SUIT INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Engine/Powertrain🔵 Low
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE

The vehicle's engine light turned on. The engine light remains on, and frequently the Malfunction and System fault See Owners Manual will display. When the malfunction message appears all the traction lights are also turned on. The RPM's in the vehicle are very accelerated, and it's difficult to drive the vehicle. The vehicle will also produce a very heavy smog smell. I took the vehicle into the retailer several times and nothing was done. The manufacturer is also not taking responsibility and stated the issue is unrelated to the engine bearing recall.

Engine/Powertrain🔶 Medium
ENGINE

I own a 2020 Infiniti QX50 that is included in NHTSA Recall 25V-437 for defective engine bearings that may cause sudden engine failure. My VIN has been confirmed by the dealer as part of the active recall. I have already noticed intermittent shaking at idle and a grinding sensation during acceleration, which are early warning signs listed for this defect. I am worried these symptoms indicate my engine may be starting to fail. My Infiniti dealer told me they “see the recall as active,” but that it is on hold and they cannot inspect or repair my vehicle at this time. They also stated they cannot provide me with a loaner or rental vehicle in the meantime. I believe this puts me, my family, and others on the road at risk because engine failure could occur suddenly while driving, leading to a crash. I am nervous to continue driving the vehicle, but I have no safe alternative since Infiniti has refused to provide a replacement vehicle until repairs are available. I am requesting NHTSA to investigate this delay and Infiniti’s refusal to provide a safe alternative vehicle while recall repairs are unavailable.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are common problems with the 2020 INFINITI QX50?

Common issues reported with the 2020 INFINITI QX50 include engine bearing defects that can result in severe failures, as well as complications related to improperly labeled tire information that can affect safety and driving performance.

How reliable is the 2020 INFINITI QX50 compared to other luxury SUVs?

"While luxury brands often promise superior quality, the reliability of the 2020 INFINITI QX50 is marred by significant recalls concerning essential components like its engine. Many competitors in this segment boast fewer issues which can make them safer long-term choices."

🧭What This Means for You

Both current owners and prospective buyers benefit from reviewing this safety analysis before making decisions.

If you're unsure, we recommend starting with a VIN check or consulting a certified mechanic.

🔑

If You Own This Vehicle

  • Safety Check: Cross-reference your VIN with official INFINITI records to ensure no 2 recalls remain open.
  • Unaddressed recalls pose real-world risks. Prioritize scheduling any pending repairs to maintain vehicle integrity.
  • Proactive tip: Enroll in INFINITI's owner notification program for real-time safety updates.
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If You're Buying Used

  • Request the VIN from the seller and verify the 'Clean' recall status via NHTSA.
  • This specific QX50 year is noted for its strong reliability foundations.

This page is designed to help you decide, not alarm you.

Compare with Similar Vehicles

Data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Last updated: February 23, 2026.