ROARING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY AND THE A/C IS NOT COOLING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2020 INFINITI QX50 engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2020 INFINITI QX50 have filed 16 NHTSA complaints about the engine at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
16
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2016 QX50 | 3 |
| 2019 QX50 | 64 |
| 2020 QX50 (this page) | 16 |
| 2021 QX50 | 19 |
| 2022 QX50 | 3 |
When does it fail?
Of the 16 engine complaints filed for the 2020 INFINITI QX50, 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
Engine accounts for 53% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 3 categories tracked.
Among the 5 model years of INFINITI QX50 in our records for engine problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
ROARING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY AND THE A/C IS NOT COOLING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗MIL ON WITH DTC P11A7 STORED IN THE ECM This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗EVAP LEAK DTC P0442, P0455, P0456 INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗DTC P0456 CAUSED BY EVAP LEAK AT VENT CONTROL VALVE O-RING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2020 Infiniti QX50s report engine bearing failures tied to NHTSA Recall 25V437 and R25B2. The defect involves internal bearing degradation that produces metal shavings in the oil pan, reduces engine power, and creates knocking or grinding sounds during acceleration or at idle. Several owners experienced sudden power loss while driving, including one situation with a near-collision risk.
At least two owners have been told they need complete engine replacement (at 68,000 miles and 51,000 miles); Infiniti has refused warranty coverage in multiple cases, citing alleged "lack of maintenance" or internal engine branding flags applied during dealer storage. Most critical: the recall repair remains unavailable as of late 2025. Dealers across the country tell owners parts are not yet in stock and recall work is suspended or "on hold," leaving owners with VINs included in an active safety recall unable to get repairs.
Owners report dealership misrepresentation of recall status—one dealer falsely claimed the recall was "taken care of," another stated it was "not a safety recall." Some dealerships refused to even inspect vehicles for the recall. One owner also reports a separate crankcase ventilation fuel-smell issue under engineering review since 2019, with no repair timeline or service bulletin issued.
Same INFINITI QX50 engine reports on nearby years: 2019 · 2021
Failure modes owners describe
Engine bearing failure / metal shavings
Internal engine bearing degradation leading to metal particles in oil, loss of power, knocking sounds, and potential catastrophic engine damage. This is the core defect addressed by Recall 25V437 / R25B2.
When: Varies; reported at 51,000–68,000 miles and after normal driving. One owner changed oil every 3,000 miles as mitigation while awaiting recall repair.
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of power while driving; Engine knocking or rattling sounds; Intermittent shaking at idle; Grinding sensation during acceleration; Metal shavings visible in oil pan; No warning lights in some cases
Repairs/costs cited: New engine required in at least two cases (68,000 miles and unknown mileage). One owner reported timing belt replacement recommendation. Recall repair parts described as 'not yet available' across multiple dealerships as of late 2025 / early 2026.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 25V437 / R25B2 active but repairs stalled; parts unavailable. Infiniti has suspended or halted recall work in some cases. Some dealers misrepresented the recall as 'not a safety recall' or stated it was 'on hold.' One owner's recall claim was denied due to internal 'engine branding' (marked for lack of maintenance during dealer storage, 2022–2024). Infiniti Consumer Affairs stated inability to assist vehicles in Puerto Rico territory.
Crankcase ventilation system fuel smell
Chronic fuel odor from crankcase ventilation malfunction, typically detected when parked in garage. Engineering review initiated but no repair timeline established.
When: Ongoing; issue documented back to 2019 model year vehicles.
Symptoms owners cite: Strong fuel smell in garage when vehicle parked; Persistent odor despite multiple dealership inspections
Repairs/costs cited: No repair completed. Dealership twice unable to identify cause initially; on third visit, Infiniti engineer acknowledged crankcase ventilation issue. Awaiting new service bulletin (estimated up to 3 months).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Engineering review underway; no bulletin or remedy issued. No timeline provided for resolution.
Post-recall engine start failure and detached underbody shield
After recall repair (Campaign 25V437000), vehicle exhibited no-start condition with rattling noise and detached engine guard shield allowing road debris intrusion.
When: Immediately after recall repair at approximately 51,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle fails to start with rattling sound from engine; Underbody shield (engine guard) detached; Road debris able to enter engine compartment
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to dealership and misplaced during repair process. Front passenger tire also deflated.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware; no further details on resolution provided.
Synthesized from 16 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 10 most recent
The contact owns a 2020 Infiniti QX50. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended and lost motive power. There were no warning lights illuminated. No further information was available. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V437000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was taken to an unknown local dealer,…
About 3 months ago I took my car to be inspected for recall Infinity Dealership stated the drained oil and dropped oil pan and inspected for debris on bottom on oil pan however manufacturer has stated engine beating failure happens progressively not all of a sudden I believe the system malfunctioning light I’ve been seeing on my dash is a direct result of something that was missed during recall…
Crest Infiniti staff, including Service Rep Trevor and Manager Randy Nadors, misrepresented Recall 25V437 as "not a safety recall" and claimed repairs were stopped until year-end. This contradicts NHTSA"s designation of 25V437 as a serious safety recall and Infiniti Corporate's confirmation. Their false statements indicate a failure to disclose material safety information and unsatisfactory…
My vehicle is affected by Recall 25V437. I am already experiencing recall-related symptoms, including stuttering, unusual engine noises, and uneven acceleration. I leased the vehicle through DFW Auto and Services INC, On August 15, 2025, at 9:35 AM, I spoke with Sam in the finance department of DFW Auto and Services INC during a 3‑minute call from 214‑205‑7327. I specifically asked about the…
I am submitting a formal safety complaint regarding Recall R25B2 on my 2020 Infiniti QX50. I purchased the vehicle in July 2024 from a dealership in Indiana and currently reside in Illinois. Summary of the Issue In July 2025, I received notice that my VIN was included in Recall R25B2 for an engine-related defect. Infiniti of Orland Park (IL) inspected the vehicle and confirmed that it exhibited…
I experienced loss of power while on the interstate and at that time I was unaware of what the issue was until I received a Recall regarding the engine. I often have my grandson [XXX]) who sits in the back seat of my 2020 QX/50. I went into the Infiniti of South of Atlanta, Union City, Georgia 30291 and I was informed by my Service Representative (Mrs. Dyamond Cobb) on September 12, 2025 @…
I own a 2020 Infiniti QX50 that is included in NHTSA Recall 25V-437 for defective engine bearings that may cause sudden engine failure. My VIN has been confirmed by the dealer as part of the active recall. I have already noticed intermittent shaking at idle and a grinding sensation during acceleration, which are early warning signs listed for this defect. I am worried these symptoms indicate my…
Pulled out into an intersection with limited visibility. Once I got into my lane I observed a car behind me that I had not seen. I tried to accelerate to avoid being hit. My car began making a knocking sound with loss of power. The other car went around me on the shoulder to avoid a collision. Infiniti of Birmingham (Alabama) says that one of the bearings in the engine spun and there is metal…
Fuel smell coming from the vehicle when parkied in the garage. Has been check out twice. 1 st time Infiniti could not find any issue, but told me they were looking into it under engineering review. 2 months later after living with the smell brought it back they had a Infiniti engineer look at it. Now they are telling me they acknowlegde that there is a issue with the crank case ventalation…
The contact owns a 2020 Infiniti QX50. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign: 25V437000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, other failures occurred. The contact stated that after the vehicle was dropped off by the local dealer, the front passenger’s side tire deflated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was repaired. The contact stated that the…
Had engine trouble with your 2020 INFINITI QX50?
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 2020 INFINITI QX50?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 16 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 16 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 28,150 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/2020/INFINITI/QX50.
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.