Leak in the turbo causing oil to burn and create smoke from the exhaust
2018 INFINITI Q50 engine problems
severe 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 11 engine complaints filed for the 2018 INFINITI Q50, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 4 model years of INFINITI Q50 we track for engine problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 11.
Engine accounts for 27% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 4 categories tracked.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
Turbos are starting to work and car is starting to consume anti freeze
The serpentine belt makes consistent noise in all types of weather. Already had the dealer replace it once. Noise came back and the dealer now says it could be the tensioner pulley.
From start into the warm-up, there is a consistent whoreling noise coming from the motor.
On 6/13/2020 the drive belt shredded while driving under 30mph, under light acceleration. At first, the battery light illuminated on the instrument cluster, followed the check engine light. White smoke began to come from the engine. Thankfully, I was nearby my house and made it there safely. Furthermore, the engine overheated due to a coolant hose being knocked off by the shredded belt.…
Had engine trouble with your 2018 INFINITI Q50?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2018 INFINITI Q50?
It's a meaningful issue. 11 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 11 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 35,332 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/INFINITI/Q50.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.