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2020 INFINITI QX50 engine problems
moderate
Owners of the 2020 INFINITI QX50 have filed 18 NHTSA complaints about the engine at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of September 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.See engine across all vehicles →
Engine failure increases the risk of a crash. A bearing failure may cause a breach in the engine block, allowing hot oil to be discharged, increasing the risk of an engine fire.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the engine control module (ECM) software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed April 8, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261 or Infiniti's customer service at 1-800-662-6200. Nissan's numbers for this recall are R25A8/A9 and R25B1/B2.
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.
Service BulletinITB22-025BNov 2023
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 18 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting
11 most recent
engine
· filed 11/25/2025
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,…
engine
· filed 11/25/2025
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…
engine
· filed 11/19/2025
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…
engine
· filed 11/18/2025
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…
engine
· filed 11/17/2025
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…
engine
· filed 09/12/2025
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 @…
engine
· filed 09/02/2026
Engine lost all power and car seemed to be locked in low gear while attempting to drive down the road. Took the car to Infiniti dealership which said there was a recall and they inspected the vehicle. Mechanic inspected the vehicle and said it fit all requirements to be replaced by engine recall. Infiniti is refusing to replace engine stating it does not meet recall requirements.
engine
· filed 09/02/2026
The contact owns a 2020 Infiniti QX50. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the RPM became elevated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where an unknown recall repair was performed. The contact stated that the engine was replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the…
engine
· filed 08/29/2025
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…
engine
· filed 06/04/2025
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…
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. 18 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?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
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?
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover engine issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.
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.