2019 INFINITI QX50 Powertrain (other) Problems

My 2019 Infiniti QX50 has the KR20DDET 2.0L VC-Turbo engine involved in NHTSA Recall 25V437/Infiniti Campaign R25B2 for potential engine-bearing failure, but my VIN does not currently show an open recall. The vehicle is at Infiniti Milwaukee, [XXX], [XXX]. During inspection, bronze-colored metallic glitter/debris was found in the engine oil. This may indicate internal bearing wear and appears consistent with the metal debris that Recall 25V437 requires dealers to check for in the lower oil pan. The dealership is refusing to acknowledge or report the bronze-colored debris as possible bearing material. It reported only “engine sludge” to Infiniti and is treating the engine repair as customer-pay. Sludge and bronze-colored metallic particles are visibly different conditions. The vehicle and engine are available for inspection at the dealership. I requested preservation of the oil, filter, oil-pan contents, photographs, video and technician findings. Bearing failure could cause engine damage or loss of power while driving, increasing crash risk. Warning lights before inspection: UNKNOWN. The exact composition of the debris is UNKNOWN pending testing. You see metal debris in oil pan of the video of an engine that failed citing sledge while clearing seeing metal debris in the photo provided by the dealership. I request that NHTSA investigate whether this vehicle was incorrectly excluded from the recall and whether recall-related metallic debris is being misclassified as sludge. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11752709

Incident

May 13, 2026

2019 Infiniti QX50 with engine bearing failure defect matching NHTSA Recall #25V-437. Vehicle was sold to me on 12/24/2025 by a dealer, MORE THAN FIVE MONTHS after the recall was issued on 07/14/2025. The dealer NEVER disclosed the active, unrepaired safety recall. Two months after purchase, the engine developed loss of power and unusual noises - exact symptoms described in the recall. An independent mechanic diagnosed a pre-existing camshaft bearing defect. Despite component replacement, symptoms persist, confirming the defect was present at time of sale. This is a serious safety violation. The dealer knew or should have known about the recall via CARFAX and failed to disclose it, violating federal law 49 U.S.C. § 30120. The vehicle is unsafe to drive with an unrepaired engine bearing failure. Safety Risk: Engine bearing degradation can lead to complete engine failure while driving, resulting in loss of motive power and crash risk. Requested Action: Federal investigation into dealer's failure to disclose active safety recalls.

NHTSA ID

11745805

Incident

Jun 22, 2026

I am the owner of a 2019 Infiniti QX50, VIN [XXX] , and I am filing this complaint due to repeated, severe mechanical failures that have rendered my vehicle unreliable and unsafe. Since purchasing the vehicle, I have experienced catastrophic failures requiring two complete engine replacements, two turbocharger replacements, and one transmission replacement. My vehicle has spent over one year cumulatively at repair shops, leaving me without transportation and in constant fear for my safety. I am unable to drive this vehicle on the highway or for long distances due to the very real risk of sudden engine stall or failure at speed. I am aware that Nissan has issued Recall 25V-437 acknowledging manufacturing defects in the VC-Turbo engine bearings on the 2019–2022 Infiniti QX50, and I believe my vehicle's repeated failures are directly related to this defect. Despite multiple repair attempts by authorized Infiniti dealerships, the underlying issues have not been resolved. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this vehicle and pressure Nissan/Infiniti to provide an appropriate remedy, including a full vehicle repurchase or buyback. My family's safety is at risk every time we are forced to drive this vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11734356

Incident

Jan 25, 2025

Mileage

127,377 mi

The car had a power failure so I took it to the dealer to have it checked since it had an open recall, according to what the mechanic tells me is that the fault comes from the mild tree, but he does not tell me what causes that failure and he has not given me the results of the recall either

NHTSA ID

11729566

Incident

Apr 5, 2026

Vehicle: 2019 Infiniti QX50 Mileage at engine replacement: 31,830 miles Date of engine replacement: August 2023 (recall-related repair) The engine in my 2019 Infiniti QX50 was replaced under recall at 31,830 miles in August 2023. Approximately 18,633 miles later, the vehicle began experiencing transmission malfunction symptoms consistent with CVT failure. An independent mechanic diagnosed the CVT transmission as needing replacement. I then took the vehicle to an Infiniti dealership, and they confirmed transmission issues but declined warranty coverage because the powertrain warranty expired February 28, 2025. The transmission is directly integrated with the engine in this vehicle. Following the engine replacement, the transmission began exhibiting unsafe operating behavior, including hesitation, loss of acceleration response, and drivability instability. There are widespread consumer complaints and litigation involving this engine and CVT transmission combination in the 2019 Infiniti QX50. Infiniti extended coverage for the engine but has not extended coverage for the transmission despite known reliability concerns. I am now afraid to operate the vehicle due to concern of sudden transmission failure while driving, which could result in loss of power in traffic and create a safety hazard. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this recurring pattern of CVT transmission failure following engine defects in the 2019 Infiniti QX50.

NHTSA ID

11720215

Incident

Dec 10, 2025

A few months ago, I received an email from CarFax letting me know that my vehicle, a 2019 Infiniti QX50 with 2.0L Turbo Engine had a major recall (NHTSA Recall Campaign No. 25V-437). The letter indicated the recall was due to issues with the engine bearings which could lead to a catastrophic failure. I wasn't sure what this meant, so I took the car to Austin INFINITI. The technicians checked the oil pan to see if there were issues. My understanding is that the oil pan should have been removed, drained of all oil to ensure there were no issues that could lead to the catastrophic failure of the engine. None of this was done. I was given my car back and told all was okay. Unfortunately On the evening of November 10, 2025, my vehicle’s engine suddenly seized while driving at highway speeds. Fortunately, I was able to coast onto the Frontage Road. For my protection, the Police Department arrived quickly to park police vehicles in the front and back of my car with their lights on to avoid a nighttime collision or worse. I had no idea why my engine suddenly lost power while driving down the highway and continued to refuse to start despite repeated attempts to restart the vehicle, the engine would not start. I was scared to death and this situation has exacerbated my current diagnosis of PTSD for which I am currently in treatment. This was a horrifying event that could have cost me my life. I can't eat or sleep and experience nightmares that my car died, then I am hit by a car driving at highway speeds as I tried to exit the vehicle. My wife and I are both terrified of driving the car now. I tried to resolve the issue with my local INFINITI dealership and even contacted NISSA/INFINITI executives. I was met with disregard, disrespect and a $1,700 bill to replace the starter that burned out as we kept trying to start the car. The starter burnout was a secondary cause due to the primary issue of the engine seizure. Infiniti disagreed and insisted on the $1,700 for the starter.

NHTSA ID

11708940

Incident

Nov 10, 2025

On February 28, 2025, while driving home form work in my 2019 Infiniti QX50, on a 4 lane highway, I slowed to turn across 2 lanes of oncoming traffic to a side county road. I made it across the highway and the vehicle immediately lost all power. I coasted to a stop on the side of the road. I tried to restart the car and it would not start. I called for a tow and had it taken to the nearest repair shop. The vehicle was inspected and I was informed the engine was blown and would need to be replaced. Prior to this happening, there were no sounds, indicators or warnings of any possible issues. I have owned the vehicle since February 2020. It has always been maintained on schedule (records available). In fact, the vehicle was thoroughly inspected by Infiniti in October of 2024, when I had to have the rear lift gate motor replaced. I was told everything looked good, timing belt had no wear, there were no leaks or concerns. The only recommended services at that time were to change the brake fluid and antifreeze. The vehicle is available for any and all requested inspection.

NHTSA ID

11646423

Incident

Feb 28, 2025

Turbo, Rear-Coupler, Engine, Actuator Car was squealing and I was told that the serpentine belt needed to be replaced. Replaced this. Car still squealing and took it back. They replaced the belt, again.. Still squealing, now I am told its the tensioner that needs to be replaced but only Infiniti can do this (belt done at Firestone). At Infiniti - they look at the car and the tensioner is fine. But my turbo is blown. How? So, they replace the turbo and then say the rear coupler needs to be replaced. Repairs done and Infiniti said all fluids are good, everything is great. However, I might see slight smoke and a burning smell for 100-150 miles as theres a thin layer of oil on the turbo that will burn off. Oil change isnt due for 5k miles and I checked before my short road trip - all is good. Past the 100-150 miles and the car is SMOKING and SMELLS OF BURNING... Call infiniti, this is normal it will go away. Check fluids again, as no lights on the dashboard and oil is fine. Come back to get my car, check the ground as I always do and no oil/fluid and proceed home. 10 mins from my house the car WREAKS of burning smell, will not accelerate, no dashboard lights. So, I sit there and let it cool down - check again everything looks good. Try again, car will not go. Fluids look fine - oil, no spikes in temp, and no lights. Next day, no fluids under the car. Car accelerates but lunges me then stops going. Car smells bad, smoke.. go to check the fluids and NO OIL in the car out of no where. Infiniti tows it and it sounded like it was going to blow up. Also, a tink tink tink sound started out of no where. This is dangerous as the vehicle could had started on fire. I still dont know what is going on as Inf. has the car right now. This is a major safety hazard as I found a LOT of reports on this happening to others with this specific model and year. I had NO issues like this until Inf replaced the turbo.. NONE!

NHTSA ID

11628585

Incident

Oct 25, 2024

About five months ago, while driving on the highway, the care would say it's in Drive, but sounded like it couldn't get out of 1st gear and I'd get high RPMs. Thankfully there was stop-and-go traffic and I didn't have to exit pull off the highway or hit high speeds. I exited at the next exit and, as soon as the car stopped, it wasn't possible to get it into gear. Eventually the car started and I was able to get into gear and drive it using Manual drive mode. Once at the dealership we were told it was a bad VCR and they needed to replace that to get it going. That was around 38,000 miles. This most recent incident, I had just gotten onto the highway when I started to hear a low whiney noise when pressing the accelerator. I only had a few miles till my exit and decided to continue, thinking it might just be debris or something. After exiting, I literally rolled into the gas station because the car, despite being in Drive, was not in gear. The car stalled and I couldn't get it started, or I could get it started, but it refused to go to Neutral to allow me to push it out of the way. Eventually, the car started and I was able to put it into Drive. Thinking it was the same issue, I planned to drive it the 2 miles home. I made it to the first traffic light and the car turned off, leaving the me stranded in the middle lane of the road. I called the police and tow trucks to come help me get the car moved (no one knows how to put the car into an emergency Neutral position including the 2 officers, 4 tow truck drivers and an Infiniti mechanic that was driving by). Eventually the tow truck came and I was able to drop it off at the dealership, who have told me there is "a chunk of bearing material in pan with copper particulates." I'm currently around 40,000 miles.

NHTSA ID

11579772

Incident

Mar 24, 2024

ON MAY 4, 2019, I TOOL DELIVERY OF A NEW INFINITY, QX50 AND AFTER 2.5 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP (JULY 26, 2019 TO PRESENT), I'M HAVING ONGOING / UNRESOLVED PROBLEMS / FAILURES WITH; AUDIO, LANE DEPARTURE, COLLISION WARNING W/ SUDDEN STOPPING, HEATED / COOL SEATS, INFOTAINMENT, AUDIO, TAILGATE, REMOTE DOOR LOCKS, BOTH SCREENS GOING BLANK, PHONE / BLUETOOTH CONNECTION, AWD, AUTOMATIC SHIFTING PROBLEMS AND EXTREMELY SOFT BRAKES THAT PUT ME THRU 2 CONTROLLED INTERSECTIONS. THE DCU HAS BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES AND I STILL HAVE THE SAME ONGOING / UNRESOLVED PROBLEMS. I TOLD THE SERVICE MANAGER (RUDY), TO START REPLACING ALL THE SENSORS, CMS AND CAMERA AND HE REFUSED TO DO THAT. MY QX50 HAS BEEN IN FOR SERVICE FIVE TIMES (INCLUDING TODAY, 04-21-2021), FOR A TOTAL OF 6+ WEEKS. THE MECHANIC AT INFINITY, CAN'T REPLICATE ANY OF MY ONGOING PROBLEMS / UNRESOLVED PROBLEMS AND I HAVE 25 VIDEOS, SHOWING WHAT THE QX50 IS DONG AND INFINITY CAN'T FIX IT. I PAY A LOT OF MONEY FOR THE QX50 AND FOR ALL THE DRIVER SAFETY FEATURES, OTHER AMENITIES AND IT STILL CONTINUES TO FAIL MISERABLY AND DOES NOT PERFORM AS INTENDED. BECAUSE OF THESE UNRESOLVED PROBLEMS AND ONGOING ISSUES, MY WIFE REFUSES TO DRIVE IN THE QX50 WITH ME. I HAVE ASKED INFINITY TO BUY BACK THE QX50 AND THEY FLAT OUT REFUSED. I HAD TO OBTAIN A LAWYER.

NHTSA ID

11413209

Incident

Jul 26, 2019

THE CAR DOES NOT SHIFT TO NEUTRAL WITHOUT A GREAT DEAL OF DIFFICULTY. COULD NOT GET THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL WHILE GOING INTO A CARWASH.

NHTSA ID

11338265

Incident

Jul 3, 2020

Mileage

20,120 mi

CAR WOULD NOT DRIVE UPON PRESSURE OF THE GAS PEDAL PLACING DRIVER IN IMMEDIATE DANGER. DRIVER PULLED OVER MULTIPLE TIMES, SHIFTED CAR INTO PARK AND TURNED CAR OFF, PROCEEDED TO ATTEMPT TO DRIVE AGAIN. AFTER FOURTH TIME, THE TRANSMISSION/ENGINE RESPONDED. THIS CAR WAS RETURNED TO AUTONATION INFINITI OF TUSTIN TWO DAYS AFTER PURCHASE, THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED THEY WOULD PLACE THE CAR BACK ON THE LOT WITHOUT INSPECTION, THIS CAUSES GREAT CONCERN FOR THE SAFETY OF ANY FUTURE DRIVERS OF THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID

11330578

Incident

Jun 23, 2020

Mileage

7,515 mi

WHEN DRIVING THE CAR OR WHEN THE CAR IS NOT MOVING EX: WAITING AT AN INTERSECTION THE CAR HAS GONE FROM THE DRIVE MODE TO NEUTRAL FOR NO APPARENT REASON..THIS HAS HAPPENED ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS MOST RECENTLY ON 3/2/19..I WANT TO CHECK TO SEE IF OTHERS WITH SAME VEHICLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. WENT TO PULL OUT IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND WAS UNABLE TO DO SO BECAUSE THE CAR WENT INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE..

NHTSA ID

11184158

Incident

Mar 2, 2019

Mileage

1,178 mi