2014 Infiniti Q50
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2014 models.

- 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
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.7 Premium/Q50s 3.7 AWD 4dr Sedan | 189.4 in | 71.3 in | 57.5 in | 112.2 in | 60.6 / 62.6 in | 3,849 lb | 57/43 |
| 3.7/Q50s 3.7 RWD 4dr Sedan | 189.4 in | 71.3 in | 57.5 in | 112.2 in | 60.6 / 62.6 in | 3,675 lb | 55/45 |
| Hybrid AWD Premium 4dr Sedan | 189.4 in | 71.3 in | 57.5 in | 112.2 in | 60.6 / 62.6 in | 4,085 lb | 55/45 |
| Hybrid Premium 4dr Sedan | 189.4 in | 71.3 in | 57.5 in | 112.2 in | 60.6 / 62.6 in | 3,913 lb | 53/47 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q50 Hybrid Hybrid | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S7) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 29 / 36 / 31 | +18% | $2,650 | 282 |
| Q50S Hybrid Hybrid | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S7) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 28 / 33 / 30 | +14% | $2,750 | 295 |
| Q50 Hybrid AWD Hybrid | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S7) | All-Wheel Drive | 28 / 34 / 30 | +14% | $2,750 | 293 |
| Q50S Hybrid AWD Hybrid | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S7) | All-Wheel Drive | 27 / 30 / 28 | +6% | $2,950 | 315 |
| Q50a | 3.7L 6-cyl | Automatic (S7) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 / 29 / 23 | -11% | $3,550 | 384 |
| Q50 | 3.7L 6-cyl | Automatic (S7) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 / 29 / 23 | -11% | $3,550 | 389 |
| Q50a AWD | 3.7L 6-cyl | Automatic (S7) | All-Wheel Drive | 19 / 27 / 22 | -14% | $3,750 | 411 |
| Q50 AWD | 3.7L 6-cyl | Automatic (S7) | All-Wheel Drive | 19 / 27 / 22 | -14% | $3,750 | 412 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2014 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 Infiniti Q50 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 3★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 9.7% |
| 2014 Infiniti Q50 4 DR RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 3★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 9.7% |


Similar 2014 compact cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 Infiniti Q50 (this car) | 31 MPG | ★★★★★ | 8 |
| 2014 BMW 3 Series | 36 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2014 BMW 5 Series | 30 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class | 26 MPG | ★★★★★ | 0 |
| 2014 Lexus IS | 24 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2014 Audi A4 | 26 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 25 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
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.
Not every 2014 Infiniti Q50 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2014 Infiniti Q50 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 8 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Steering — 47 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
- Electrical System — 32 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Power Train — 19 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 30,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
- 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 →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Q50 | 23 | 189 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 Q50 | 23 | 189 in | Not rated | 0 | 8 |
| 2022 Q50 | 23 | 189 in | Not rated | 0 | 1 |
| 2021 Q50 | 23 | 189 in | Not rated | 3 | 6 |
| 2020 Q50 | 23 | 189 in | Not rated | 0 | 3 |
| 2019 Q50 | 25 | 189 in | Not rated | 1 | 30 |
| 2018 Q50 | 29 | 189 in | Not rated | 3 | 44 |
| 2017 Q50 | 29 | 189 in | Not rated | 4 | 63 |
| 2016 Q50 | 30 | 189 in | Not rated | 4 | 39 |
| 2015 Q50 | 31 | 189 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 130 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Infiniti. How we calculate this →