Makes›Infiniti›Q50›2014

2014 Infiniti Q50

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2014 models.

Infiniti Q50
Pictured: Infiniti Q50 S HYBRID (V37) – Frontansicht, 14. Juni 2014, Düsseldorf. Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Compact Cars
Body styles
3.7 Premium/Q50s 3.7 AWD 4dr Sedan, 3.7/Q50s 3.7 RWD 4dr Sedan, Hybrid AWD Premium 4dr Sedan, Hybrid Premium 4dr Sedan
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl, 3.7L 6-cyl
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Hybrid, Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
31 combined · 29 city / 36 hwy
Length
189.4 in
Curb weight
3,675–4,085 lb
NHTSA rating
★★★★★
Recalls
8 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 31 MPG combined — 18% better than the average 2014 compact car (26.3 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.

Watch out for

  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
  • Many owner complaints138 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 13 for similar models — most often about the steering.
  • 8 recallsMore than similar models (about 2). Confirm repairs with the VIN.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 38 similar 2014 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2014 Infiniti Q50 is a compact car offered with 2 engines (3.5L 6-cyl and 3.7L 6-cyl), including a hybrid version and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 189 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,849 lb (3.7 Premium/Q50s 3.7 AWD 4dr Sedan).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 31 MPG combined (29 city / 36 highway), 18% better than the 2014 compact car average of 26.3 MPG, for an estimated $2,650 a year in fuel.

In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.

It has 8 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 138 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the steering.

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
3.7 Premium/Q50s 3.7 AWD 4dr Sedan189.4 in71.3 in57.5 in112.2 in60.6 / 62.6 in3,849 lb57/43
3.7/Q50s 3.7 RWD 4dr Sedan189.4 in71.3 in57.5 in112.2 in60.6 / 62.6 in3,675 lb55/45
Hybrid AWD Premium 4dr Sedan189.4 in71.3 in57.5 in112.2 in60.6 / 62.6 in4,085 lb55/45
Hybrid Premium 4dr Sedan189.4 in71.3 in57.5 in112.2 in60.6 / 62.6 in3,913 lb53/47

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Q50 Hybrid Hybrid3.5L 6-cylAutomatic (S7)Rear-Wheel Drive29 / 36 / 31+18%$2,650282
Q50S Hybrid Hybrid3.5L 6-cylAutomatic (S7)Rear-Wheel Drive28 / 33 / 30+14%$2,750295
Q50 Hybrid AWD Hybrid3.5L 6-cylAutomatic (S7)All-Wheel Drive28 / 34 / 30+14%$2,750293
Q50S Hybrid AWD Hybrid3.5L 6-cylAutomatic (S7)All-Wheel Drive27 / 30 / 28+6%$2,950315
Q50a3.7L 6-cylAutomatic (S7)Rear-Wheel Drive20 / 29 / 23-11%$3,550384
Q503.7L 6-cylAutomatic (S7)Rear-Wheel Drive20 / 29 / 23-11%$3,550389
Q50a AWD3.7L 6-cylAutomatic (S7)All-Wheel Drive19 / 27 / 22-14%$3,750411
Q50 AWD3.7L 6-cylAutomatic (S7)All-Wheel Drive19 / 27 / 22-14%$3,750412
8/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
8/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $1,250Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
26.3 MPG2014 Compact Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2014 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

VersionOverallFrontalDriver / passengerSideSide poleRolloverRollover risk
2014 Infiniti Q50 4 DR AWD★★★★★★★★★★4★ / 3★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★9.7%
2014 Infiniti Q50 4 DR RWD★★★★★★★★★★4★ / 3★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★9.7%
StandardElectronic stability control
OptionalForward collision warning
OptionalLane departure warning
Frontal crash test — 2014 Infiniti Q50 4 DR AWD
Frontal crash test — 2014 Infiniti Q50 4 DR AWD. Photo: NHTSA.
Side crash test — 2014 Infiniti Q50 4 DR AWD
Side crash test — 2014 Infiniti Q50 4 DR AWD. Photo: NHTSA.

Similar 2014 compact cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2014 Infiniti Q50 (this car)31 MPG★★★★★8
2014 BMW 3 Series36 MPGNot rated0
2014 BMW 5 Series30 MPGNot rated0
2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class26 MPG★★★★★0
2014 Lexus IS24 MPGNot rated4
2014 Audi A426 MPGNot rated4
2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class25 MPGNot rated0

Recalls (8)

Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft · Jun 21, 2024

NHTSA campaign 24V470000 · 7,222 vehicles

Problem
Nissan 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.
Risk
A broken driveshaft can result in a loss of drive power, or a vehicle roll away when the vehicle is in park without the parking brake applied. Both scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will replace the driveshaft, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 13, 2024. Owners may contact INFINITI's customer service at 1-800-662-6200. INFINITI's numbers for this recall are R24A5 and R24A7.
Steering › Automated/Adaptive Steering · Jun 13, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V430000 · 28,182 vehicles

Problem
Nissan 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 error at vehicle start up altering the vehicle's steering responsiveness and turning radius.
Risk
If the vehicle does not steer as the driver anticipates, there is an increased the risk of a crash.
Fix
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Direct Adaptive Steering ECU software, free of charge. The recall began on August 12, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification · Apr 26, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V244000 · 3,296,947 vehicles

Problem
Nissan 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, Murano Hybrid, and Chevrolet City Express, 2014-2015 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid, and 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles. In these vehicles, the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) may incorrectly classify an adult passenger as a child or classify the seat as empty despite it being occupied. As a result, the passenger frontal air bag may be turned off and not deploy in the event of a crash.
Risk
If the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an increased risk of injury.
Fix
Nissan will notify their owners. Chevrolet City Express owners will be notified by General Motors. Dealers will reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) and OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU) in Altima, Maxima, Murano, Rogue, and Sentra vehicles, and replace the OCS ECU in LEAF, NV200, NV200 Taxi, Pathfinder, Infiniti Q50, JX35, and QX60 and Chevrolet City Express vehicles, free of charge. Interim notices were sent to owners on May 31, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669, Infiniti customer service at 1-888-833-3216 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal · Sep 22, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V583000 · 6,562 vehicles

Problem
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Infiniti M35 hybrid vehicles manufactured April 7, 2012, to September 9, 2013, 2014 Infiniti Q50 hybrid vehicles manufactured December 10, 2012, to July 15, 2014, and 2014-2015 Infiniti Q70 hybrid vehicles manufactured April 9, 2010, to May 7, 2014. Due to a software error, In the affected vehicles, if the signal is lost from one of the two throttle position sensors (TPS), the engine control module (ECM) will go into a fail-safe mode, partially closing the throttle chamber. Should the lost signal be restored, the throttle chamber may open, regardless of the position signal from the TPS.
Risk
The vehicle may gradually accelerate due to the throttle chamber reopening. This unexpected acceleration may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the ECM, free of charge. The recall began on November 10, 2014. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · Sep 22, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V582000 · 817 vehicles

Problem
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2014 Infiniti Q50 hybrid vehicles manufactured October 16, 2013, to January 27, 2014, and Infiniti Q70 hybrid vehicles manufactured November 7, 2013, to December 10, 2013. The affected vehicles may have been assembled with transmissions whose housings were damaged during their manufacturing.
Risk
The damaged housings could crack and fracture, creating road debris and disabling the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmission assembly and replace it if cracks are found, free of charge. The recall began on November 10, 2014. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1- 800-647-7261.
Hybrid Propulsion System · Sep 22, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V581000 · 5,412 vehicles

Problem
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2014 Infiniti Q50 hybrid vehicles manufactured December 10, 2012, to June 25, 2014, and Infiniti Q70 hybrid vehicles manufactured November 7, 2013, to May 7, 2014. Due to a software error, the electric motor may stop working while the vehicle is being driven using the electric motor only.
Risk
The stall-like condition that occurs when the electric motor stops working may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the motor inverter software, free of charge. The recall began on November1, 2014. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Electrical System › Software · Mar 25, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V138000 · 989,701 vehicles

Problem
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Altima, LEAF, Pathfinder, and Sentra, model year 2013 NV200 (aka Taxi) and Infiniti JX35 and model year 2014 Infiniti Q50 and QX60 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the occupant classification system (OCS) software may incorrectly classify the passenger seat as empty, when it is occupied by an adult.
Risk
If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger airbag would be deactivated. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of injury to the passenger.
Fix
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2014. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Steering › Automated/Adaptive Steering · Nov 20, 2013

NHTSA campaign 13V588000 · 23 vehicles

Problem
Nissan North America, Inc.'s (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2014 Infiniti Q50 vehicles equipped with Direct Adaptive Steering. The affected vehicles received a power steering software version that, should the engine compartment reach freezing temperatures, the power steering software may disable the electric steering system and also may delay the engagement of the mechanical steering backup system.
Risk
The disablement of the steering systems could result in a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Nissan notified owners and arranged to have vehicles towed to the nearest Infiniti retailer. Customers were instructed not to drive their vehicles until they were repaired. Infiniti retailers provided affected customers with loaner vehicles, while the software update remedy was applied. These services were provided at no cost to the customer. Owners may contact Infiniti at 1-800-662-6200.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2014 Infiniti Q50 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

138Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
11Involved a crash
2Involved a fire
4Injuries reported
30,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Steering47
Electrical System32
Power Train19
Service Brakes15
Unknown Or Other15
Air Bags15
Engine14
Vehicle Speed Control13
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
22/09: 123/03: 123/04: 123/05: 123/07: 123/09: 123/10: 224/01: 224/06: 224/08: 524/09: 124/10: 124/12: 125/01: 125/02: 325/03: 125/07: 225/08: 125/10: 225/11: 125/12: 126/01: 126/04: 126/10: 122/0923/0523/1024/0824/1225/0325/1026/01max 5

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2014 Infiniti Q50 buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 8 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Steering — 47 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
  3. Electrical System — 32 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  4. Power Train — 19 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 30,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
  7. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2014 Infiniti Q50. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Q50 years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2024 Q5023189 inNot rated00
2023 Q5023189 inNot rated08
2022 Q5023189 inNot rated01
2021 Q5023189 inNot rated36
2020 Q5023189 inNot rated03
2019 Q5025189 inNot rated130
2018 Q5029189 inNot rated344
2017 Q5029189 inNot rated463
2016 Q5030189 inNot rated439
2015 Q5031189 in★★★★★3130

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Infiniti. How we calculate this →