2019 Infiniti Qx50 Safety Report

The 2019 INFINITI QX50 presents a mixed safety picture. While it achieved excellent crash test ratings from NHTSA, including 5 stars overall, 5 stars for frontal and side impacts, and 4 stars for rollover, a significant concern arises from its engine-related issues. The vehicle has accumulated 120 total complaints, with a notable concentration in the 'ENGINE' (31 complaints) and 'ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING' (26 complaints) categories. These complaints frequently describe grinding sounds, knocking, loss of power, and even complete engine failure, often linked to a major recall (NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V437000) concerning engine bearing failure that can lead to engine failure and discharge of hot oil, increasing crash risk. Several complaints highlight the manufacturer's delay in providing a remedy for this critical recall, leaving owners with potentially unsafe vehicles. Beyond the engine, the vehicle has three recalls in total. One addresses the aforementioned engine issue, another concerns a back-up camera display malfunction (NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V654000) which increases crash risk due to lack of image, and a third involves the passenger-side knee airbag cover potentially detaching during deployment in cold temperatures (NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V066000), increasing injury risk. The complaint data also includes 3 crashes, 1 fire, and 2 injuries, with the fire incident specifically linked to an engine seizure and smoke/fire from the engine compartment, consistent with the recall's stated consequence. The high number of engine-related complaints and the severity of the associated recall significantly overshadow the otherwise strong crash test performance. The delay in recall remedies for the engine issue is a critical point of concern, as it directly impacts the vehicle's operational safety. While the vehicle performs well in controlled crash scenarios, the real-world reliability and safety are compromised by these widespread and severe engine problems.

Our recommendation: Given the severe and widespread engine issues, including a critical recall with delayed remedies, exercise extreme caution. Thoroughly investigate if the engine recall (25V437000) has been completed and confirmed by an authorized dealer, and consider an extended powertrain warranty if purchasing.