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 ↗2021 INFINITI QX50 engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2021 INFINITI QX50 have filed 19 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
19
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2019 QX50 | 64 |
| 2020 QX50 | 16 |
| 2021 QX50 (this page) | 19 |
| 2022 QX50 | 3 |
When does it fail?
Of the 19 engine complaints filed for the 2021 INFINITI QX50, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 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 49% 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 #2 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.
MIL ON WITH DTC P0448 STORED IN THE ECM IF YOU CONFIRM The MIL is ON with DTC P0448 (VENT CONTROL VALVE) stored in the ECM. ACTION See Repair Overview on page 2 for diagnostic procedure.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗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 ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2021 QX50 engine problems break into two main categories. First, the VC-Turbo bearing failure tied to recall R25B2/25V437000: owners report metal shavings and bearing debris in the oil pan, typically discovered when the engine throws a check engine light or fails to accelerate, often without prior warning. This has happened at mileage ranging from 59,000 to 165,000 miles. One owner's replacement engine (installed at 85,700 miles before the recall) failed again at 154,282 miles; Infiniti denied the second claim on total vehicle mileage alone. Another owner got the engine replaced under recall but the failure repeated immediately after repair.
Second, a cooling system issue: one owner's radiator fan got stuck wide open, making loud noise and causing the radiator to crack. Two separate Infiniti dealerships replaced the fan assembly and control unit, then a second time—but both times the noise and A/C failure persisted, especially in 95–100°F heat. Both dealerships eventually said they couldn't fix it and the car was working normally, leaving the owner unresolved.
Dealers also are denying recall repairs by pointing to the prior owner's maintenance gaps, total vehicle mileage on the chassis (even when the engine is newer), or lack of sludge as proof the bearing damage wasn't real. Parts for the recall remedy remain unavailable for many owners, some of whom have been waiting months while driving vehicles flagged for engine failure risk.
Same INFINITI QX50 engine reports on nearby years: 2019 · 2020
Failure modes owners describe
VC-Turbo Engine Bearing Failure
Metal debris and bearing material found in oil pan or engine oil. Engine loses power suddenly, fails to accelerate, or becomes completely inoperable. Related to recall R25B2/25V437000 for engine bearing defect.
When: 80,000 to 165,000 miles; one case at 59,000 miles; one repeat failure at 154,282 miles after prior replacement at 85,700 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud, concerning noise from engine compartment; Engine failure/loss of acceleration without warning; Check engine light illumination; Vehicle jerking while driving; Inability to start vehicle; Metal debris/shavings in oil pan; Engine knocking sounds; Rough driving
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement required per recall R25B2/25V437000. In narrative #2, owner paid out of pocket for replacement at 85,700 miles before recall issued; failure recurred at 154,282 miles. Narrative #15 describes engine replaced under recall but failure reoccurred afterward at 95,193 miles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall R25B2/NHTSA Campaign 25V437000 issued. However, dealers repeatedly deny coverage citing: prior owner maintenance history, total vehicle mileage exceeding limits (despite replacement engine being newer), lack of sludge as evidence against defect, or claim parts unavailable. In narrative #3, dealer reversed diagnosis after finding metal debris, claiming it was from technician scraping the oil pan, not engine damage. In narrative #2, Infiniti denied coverage solely on total vehicle mileage despite replacement engine meeting recall criteria. In narrative #4, dealer refused repair due to prior owner's maintenance lapse.
Radiator Fan and Cooling System Failure
Radiator fan stuck wide open causing loud noise and overheating. Radiator crack resulting in coolant leak. A/C/heater malfunction concurrent with cooling failure.
When: Beginning during ownership (narrative #1); 98-degree ambient temperature triggering failure during operation
Symptoms owners cite: Loud noise from engine compartment (fan noise); Radiator leak from crack; A/C stops working in high heat (95-100°F ambient); Heater not working properly; Engine overheating; A/C suddenly cuts out while driving in high temperatures
Repairs/costs cited: Infiniti of Mobile replaced fan motor assembly and IPDM control unit on 12/18/2023. Problem persisted. Fan assembly replaced again by Infiniti of Memphis after further inspection—replacement also failed to resolve noise and cooling issues.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Two separate dealerships (Mobile and Memphis) completed repairs but both stated afterward that nothing further could be done. Both dealerships, after failed repairs, claimed vehicle was working as designed. Owner escalated to Infiniti USA Consumer Affairs on 8/13/2024.
Turbocharger Failure
Turbocharger requires replacement, found during routine oil change inspection.
When: Mileage not specified; discovered during oil change service
Symptoms owners cite: Turbocharger requiring replacement (detected during maintenance inspection)
Repairs/costs cited: Turbocharger was replaced by dealer. However, abnormal sound persisted in engine compartment after repair.
Synthesized from 19 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 8 most recent
The contact owns a 2021 Infiniti QX50. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a dealer for an oil change; however, the dealer informed the contact that the turbocharger needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken…
The contact owns a 2021 Infiniti QX50. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start and was inoperable. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V437000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to complete the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted;…
I received the recall notice approximately 2 weeks ago, the notice state “parts are anticipated to be available beginning in Q4 2025” so I did not schedule for an inspection. This morning, 09/16/2025, I was unable to accelerate after being stopped at a traffic light. I was able to get to a parking lot to have my car towed to an Infiniti Dealership/service center for $260 at their recommended tow…
The specific component or system which has failed and or is malfunctioning is unknown due to the fact the manufacturer and dealer were unable to properly diagnose and resolve the issue. The vehicle continues to malfunction, as of 8/28/2025. Beginning [XXX], the vehicle's engine began to make a very loud, concerning noise. The vehicle was inspected by the Infiniti of Mobile Dealership, in…
The contact owns a 2021 Infiniti QX50. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V437000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who referenced the Collision Avoidance System; however, did…
The contact owns a 2021 Infiniti QX50. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V437000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The check engine warning light was illuminated, and the vehicle jerked while driving and failed…
Component or System Failed: Engine failure. The vehicle is available for inspection at Sewell Infinity in Dallas, TX. Safety Risk: The engine failure The loss of acceleration created a serious safety risk. The vehicle was unable to accelerate properly in traffic, which could have caused an accident on the freeway. Fortunately, I was able to get back home and have the vehicle towed. Problem…
The contact owns a 2021 Infiniti QX50. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment, prompting the contact to discontinue driving the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the engine bearings, resulting in damages to the engine. The contact was…
Had engine trouble with your 2021 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 2021 INFINITI QX50?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 19 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 19 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 91,431 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/2021/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.