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Steering Defect — Recall 13V588000 (2014, DAS Freeze-Temperature Software Disables EPS)
sticky steering; steering wheel feels stuck; increased steering effort; steering recall
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Infiniti Q50 turbo failure, DAS steering loss, transmission limp mode, and 11 recalls. California owners with repeat repairs may qualify for a buyback.
You bought an Infiniti Q50 because the badge means something — a rear-wheel-drive luxury sport sedan with twin turbos, a fighter-jet interior, and a steer-by-wire system that promised to reinvent the driving experience. The Q50 delivered on the promise for many owners. For thousands of others, the promise unraveled in a dealership service bay.
The Q50's defining problems are not random. They cluster around a handful of systems that Infiniti engineers pushed to the frontier: a fully steer-by-wire Direct Adaptive Steering (DAS) system that Infiniti had to recall twice — in 2013 and again in 2016 — because it could lose all assist without warning; a VR30DDTT 3.0L twin-turbo V6 whose turbocharger thrust bearings have failed at rates high enough that Infiniti issued an extended emission warranty by direct owner mail; a 7-speed RE7R01H automatic gearbox whose valve body and speed sensors have sent hundreds of owners into limp mode at highway speed; and an InTouch dual-screen infotainment platform that the company spent years quietly patching without ever declaring a recall. Underneath all of it sit three separate airbag occupant-classification recalls spanning 2014 to 2017, and a driveshaft fatigue recall covering more than half the production run.
NHTSA has logged more than 470 owner complaints across the 2014-2023 model years, with the 2014 and 2015 vintage drawing 169 and 121 complaints respectively. The 2014 MY alone accumulated 78 steering complaints — the largest single-system complaint category in the Q50's NHTSA file. That number tells a story about a steering system that was not ready for ten years of road exposure when it left the factory. If your Q50 has been back to the dealer for steering, engine smoke, shifting problems, or a screen that won't stay on — this page documents what Infiniti knew and when.
The issues owners report most, ranked by severity — each one verified against a cited NHTSA source.
sticky steering; steering wheel feels stuck; increased steering effort; steering recall
airbag warning light; passenger airbag may not deploy; SRS warning; occupant detection fault
airbag warning light; passenger airbag may not deploy; SRS warning; occupant detection fault
sticky steering; steering wheel feels stuck; increased steering effort; steering recall
engine stalls while driving; vehicle will not start; loss of power; fuel pump recall
airbag warning light; passenger airbag may not deploy; SRS warning; occupant detection fault
A settled Margarian Law case on this exact model, published with the actual settlement math.
Open any defect for the symptoms and why it matters for a California lemon-law claim. Each is tied to a cited NHTSA source.
sticky steering; steering wheel feels stuck; increased steering effort; steering recall
Recall 13V588000 covered 2014 Q50 DAS units with software that disabled electric power steering in cold temperatures, leaving only the mechanical backup. If the software update did not take effect on a specific VIN or the symptom recurred post-repair, any subsequent dealer visit for sticky/heavy steering constitutes a second (or more) repair attempt on the same safety defect — a core Song-Beverly trigger. Owners who experienced steering difficulty and were told the recall was already completed should request the repair order showing the software version written to the vehicle.
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 servic
airbag warning light; passenger airbag may not deploy; SRS warning; occupant detection fault
Recall 14V138000 addressed OCS software on 2014 Q50 that could classify an occupied front passenger seat as empty, deactivating the passenger airbag. Airbag non-deployment in a crash is a core safety defect. If an owner's airbag warning light returned after this recall's software update, or if the vehicle was included in the later recall 16V244000 for the same OCS system, multiple repair attempts on the same airbag defect create a strong Song-Beverly repeat-repair pattern.
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.
airbag warning light; passenger airbag may not deploy; SRS warning; occupant detection fault
Recall 16V244000 is the broader replacement for 14V138000, extending OCS coverage to 2014-2017 Q50. If a 2014 MY vehicle was subject to both 14V138000 and 16V244000 and the passenger airbag warning light subsequently illuminated again, that is three events (two recalls + post-repair recurrence) on a single safety system — an unusually strong foundation for a Song-Beverly claim. The airbag system failure directly implicates federal FMVSS 208 compliance.
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, Pa
sticky steering; steering wheel feels stuck; increased steering effort; steering recall
Recall 16V430000 covered 2014-2016 Q50 DAS systems that could develop a startup error altering steering responsiveness and turning radius — a safety defect in a steer-by-wire system. Owners who experienced any steering anomaly (pulling, locked wheel, limited turn radius) after this recall was supposedly completed should preserve dealer records. If the DAS malfunction returned post-remedy or if the dealer performed the recall but the symptom was not eliminated, the repair-attempt clock restarts for Song-Beverly purposes.
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.
engine stalls while driving; vehicle will not start; loss of power; fuel pump recall
Recall 17V476000 addressed incorrect FPCM software on 2016-2018 Q50 2.0L (Mercedes M274 engine) that could allow the main fuel tank to run too low, causing engine stall. Stall at speed is a drivability-safety defect. Owners who experienced unexplained stall events prior to or after this recall repair should document each event — if the stall recurred after the FPCM update, a second repair attempt on the same defect is established, supporting a Song-Beverly claim. The 2.0L engine was discontinued after 2018.
Nissan will notify owners, and Infiniti dealers will reprogram the Fuel Pump Control Module (FPCM) with corrected software, free of charge. The recall began August 29, 2017. Owners may contact Infiniti customer service at 1-800-662-6200.
airbag warning light; passenger airbag may not deploy; SRS warning; occupant detection fault
Recall 17V571000 covered 2017 Q50 and Q50 Hybrid with improperly welded driver's frontal airbag inflators — a direct airbag non-deploy safety defect. If the dealer was unable to inspect and confirm the repair, or if the airbag warning light illuminated after the recall was completed, a subsequent visit resets the repair-attempt count. Combined with any overlapping OCS airbag recall (iss-03 for 2017 MY), owners may have multiple airbag-system repair attempts on record.
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2017. Owners may contact Infiniti customer service at 1-800-662-6200, option 7.
backup camera blank; screen goes black in reverse; rearview camera distorted
Recall 19V654000 addressed 2018-2019 Q50 vehicles where the backup camera display could be adjusted to a non-visible setting that persisted in reverse — an FMVSS 111 violation. Though classified Functional (the camera hardware is intact), repeated failure of the backup camera display to show a rear image during warranty — whether from this recall, the DCU defect (iss-15), or both — constitutes repeat repairs to the same visibility system. Two or more dealer visits for camera non-display support a Song-Beverly claim.
Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200.
engine knocking; engine stalls; sudden loss of power; check engine light; engine failure recall
Recall 21V234000 covered 2021 Q50 and Q60 whose ECM could incorrectly reduce engine power and fuel supply after detecting rapid acceleration, causing sudden power loss. Sudden, unexpected power reduction at highway or merging speeds is a drivability-safety defect. If the software update did not resolve the power-cut symptom for a specific VIN, or if the owner experienced the issue before recall completion and the dealer could not duplicate, each such visit counts as a repair attempt under Song-Beverly.
INFINITI will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the ECM software, free of charge. The recall began on May 25, 2021. Owners may contact INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200. INFINITI's number for this recall is R20C5.
sticky steering; steering wheel feels stuck; increased steering effort; steering recall
Recall 21V402000 covered 2021 Q50 with front steering knuckles or rear axle housings that may have insufficient strength due to improper heat treatment — creating risk of structural separation at speed. Structural failure of steering or suspension components is a direct safety defect. Owners should confirm their VIN was inspected and the affected part replaced (not just inspected and cleared). Any subsequent handling anomaly, clunk, or steering pull after the recall repair should be documented immediately and the dealer directed to re-inspect the repaired component.
Dealers will inspect and replace the front steering knuckle and rear axle housing, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 26, 2021. Nissan owners may contact customer service at 1-800-867-7669. INFINITI owners may contact customer service at 1-800-662-6200.
backup camera blank; screen goes black in reverse; rearview camera distorted
Recall 21V599000 covered 2021 Q50, Q60, and QX80 whose AV control unit software could deactivate the screen, preventing the backup camera from displaying — an FMVSS 111 violation. If the software fix did not permanently resolve the issue on a specific VIN and the screen went dark again, that is a second repair attempt on the same FMVSS compliance defect. In 2021 Q50 vehicles also subject to iss-08 (ECM) or iss-09 (suspension), overlapping warranty repairs across systems further strengthen a Song-Beverly claim.
Dealers will update the control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 14, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R21A9.
clunking from drivetrain; loss of drive power; vehicle may roll when parked
Recall 24V470000 covered 2014-2018 Q50 RWD/AWD with driveshafts susceptible to fatigue and fracture — creating sudden loss of drive power and potential for the driveshaft to contact the road surface. Driveshaft separation at highway speed is a catastrophic structural failure. Owners who experienced any driveshaft noise, vibration, or loss of drive prior to recall completion, or whose vehicle required towing for this failure, should have strong Song-Beverly documentation. If the recall replacement part later shows the same fatigue symptoms, the claim is materially strengthened.
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.
excessive oil consumption; turbocharger failure; white or blue smoke from exhaust; low oil pressure warning light; engine runs rough or knocks; limp mode / loss of power merging or accelerating; coolant mixing with oil; metal shavings in oil; engine replacement required; check engine light; turbo whine or no boost
If a Q50 3.0T was brought in for turbo failure, smoke, or low oil pressure multiple times within the Infiniti warranty (4 years/60,000 miles new, or within the extended emission warranty period) without a permanent fix, California's Song-Beverly Act is triggered by the repeat-repair pattern — particularly given Infiniti's own acknowledgment of the defect via the extended warranty mailing. Owners who paid out-of-pocket after the extended warranty lapsed may also have viable claims if the failure first manifested during warranty. Multiple engine or turbo replacements on the same vehicle are a strong lemon indicator.
Turbocharger replacement (one or both; ~$5,000-$8,000 per event at dealer). In porous block cases, short-block or full engine replacement required ($12,000+). Infiniti extended emission warranty covers turbo thrust bearing failure up to 10 years/120,000 miles on eligible VINs (2016-2018 MY). Owners should confirm VIN eligibility with dealer and request warranty repair in writing. Multiple turbo replacements on the same vehicle have been documented.
steering wheel locks up or goes hard with no assist; steering wheel rotates to extreme angle and will not return; sudden unintended steering input at highway speed; steering assist cuts out entirely requiring engine restart; DAS warning light; chassis control system warning; vehicle drifts continuously requiring constant correction; loss of steering control at low speed
Owners whose Q50 DAS continued to fail after recall repairs 13V588000 or 16V430000 may have strong Song-Beverly claims: the manufacturer was on notice of the defect (two recalls), the remedy did not resolve the issue for many owners, and any subsequent dealer visit for DAS failure constitutes a new repair attempt on a known defect. Complete steering loss is a safety defect carrying the strongest lemon-law weight under California law. Owners who experienced DAS failure resulting in a crash or near-crash should preserve all repair orders, video, and tow records.
Recalls 13V588000 and 16V430000 provided software updates addressing the freeze-temperature and startup-error modes respectively. For out-of-recall failures: steering control module replacement or DAS actuator replacement. Some owners report no permanent fix available through dealer. Owners experiencing DAS failure should not drive until inspected — the vehicle can be steered manually via the mechanical backup but with greatly increased effort.
transmission stuck in 3rd gear (limp mode); won't shift above 25-40 mph; check engine light with codes P0500 and P0720; harsh or delayed gear changes; sudden deceleration at highway speed; car slams into lower gear without warning; transmission slips; accelerator pedal unresponsive; must pull over to restart vehicle to exit limp mode
Owners who have had the valve body or transmission replaced twice or more within warranty, or who have experienced limp-mode events on multiple dealer visits without a permanent fix, have a strong Song-Beverly repair-attempt pattern. Sudden loss of acceleration at highway speed qualifies as a safety defect, elevating the claim beyond mere Drivability/Reliability. Owners should collect all repair orders showing repeated transmission-related visits.
Valve body assembly replacement (typically $2,500-$3,500 at dealer or independent shop). Transmission fluid flush/change as preventive measure. Some owners have required full transmission replacement when valve body replacement did not resolve. Dealer CNX (cannot duplicate) is common when failure is intermittent. Owners should ensure repair order documents the limp-mode event, DTC codes, and transmission replacement history.
upper or lower touchscreen goes black or freezes; screen requires vehicle restart to recover; Bluetooth disconnects repeatedly or produces static/frying sounds on calls; backup camera image missing or flickering (when DCU fails); system overrides user controls; navigation unavailable; CarPlay or Android Auto drops connection; display resets mid-drive; two separate screens freeze at the same time
Persistent infotainment failure that causes repeated dealer visits and is not permanently resolved by software updates may qualify under Song-Beverly when the owner has been to the dealer two or more times for the same screen or Bluetooth failure. If the DCU failure also prevents the backup camera from displaying — a FMVSS 111 safety-relevant function — the claim can be elevated beyond a purely Functional defect.
DCU software update (OTA or dealer flash); if symptoms persist, DCU hardware replacement (dealer part ~$1,200-$2,000). Backup camera failures tied to DCU can compound the recall 19V654000 and 21V599000 pattern. Dealers frequently unable to duplicate intermittent screen freeze. Owners should document failures with video.
vehicle loses all electrical power while driving with no warning; engine shuts off mid-highway requiring coast to shoulder; repeated dead battery despite replacement; dashboard goes dark while driving; vehicle will not start after sitting overnight; no key detected warning
Mid-drive engine shutdown from electrical failure is a safety defect under Song-Beverly. If an owner has had the battery replaced and/or electrical system inspected on two or more occasions without a permanent resolution, a repeat-repair lemon claim is supported. Owners should preserve any tow receipts, roadside assistance records, and all dealer repair orders showing the electrical complaint.
12V battery replacement (short-term; often insufficient if parasitic draw continues). Parasitic draw diagnosis (current clamp testing while vehicle parked). Module replacement or software update to correct wake-stay cycle. Dealers sometimes unable to replicate intermittent drain. Owners should request dealer perform overnight battery draw test.
excessive oil consumption between oil changes; blue smoke at startup; oil fouled spark plugs; low oil level warning before next scheduled change; burning oil smell; engine burns more than 1 quart per 1,000-2,000 miles
VQ oil consumption claims typically arise later in ownership and may fall outside the standard 4-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. However, if consumption was first reported and documented at a dealer while under warranty and no repair was performed, Song-Beverly's discovery rule may extend the claim window. Owners who were told 'consumption within spec' and continued losing oil have grounds to dispute that characterization with a thorough repair order history.
Valve stem seal replacement (labor-intensive; $1,500-$3,000). Dealer may require oil consumption test (logging oil level over 1,000-mile intervals). Piston ring replacement in severe cases. Owners should document all oil top-ups and receipts.
remedy available
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.
remedy available
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2021 Infinity Q50, Q60, and QX80 vehicles. A software error may deactivate the audio/video control unit screen, preventing the rear-view image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
remedy available
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 Nissan Murano, INFINITI QX60, 2021 Nissan GT-R, INFINITI QX50, and Q50 vehicles. The front steering knuckle or rear axle housing may have insufficient strength due to improper heat-treatment.
remedy available
Nissan North America, Inc. (INFINITI) is recalling certain 2021 INFINITI Q50 and Q60 vehicles. After detecting rapid acceleration, the Engine Control Module (ECM) may incorrectly reduce engine power and reduce fuel supply to the engine.
remedy available
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
remedy available
Nissan North America (Nissan) is recalling certain 2017 Infiniti Q50 and Q50 Hybrid vehicles. The driver's frontal air bag inflator may have been improperly welded.
remedy available
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Infiniti Q50 and 2017 Infiniti Q60 vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine. Incorrect Fuel Pump Control Module (FPCM) software may allow the fuel level in the main tank to be too low to supply fuel to the engine, causing the engine to stall while driving.
remedy available
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.
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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.
remedy available
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.
remedy available
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.
Every item below comes from this vehicle's documented defects. The more you recognize, the more a free case review is worth your time.
California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act is among the strongest lemon laws in the country — and the Q50's documented defect history makes it directly relevant.
The law applies when a defect covered by the manufacturer's warranty is not fixed after a reasonable number of attempts, or the vehicle is out of service for 30 or more cumulative days. Infiniti's new-vehicle warranty is 4 years/60,000 miles bumper-to-bumper and 6 years/70,000 miles powertrain. Infiniti's extended emission warranty for VR30DDTT turbocharger failure extends that window further.
Q50-specific scenarios that most commonly trigger the law: two or more DAS steering failures after a recall remedy that did not eliminate the symptom; multiple turbocharger replacements within the powertrain or extended emission warranty with the symptom returning; repeated transmission valve body replacements without a permanent cure; or airbag warning light illumination returning after any airbag recall repair.
Qualifying owners are entitled to a full refund (purchase price less a usage offset for pre-defect miles) or a comparable replacement — and the manufacturer pays attorney fees and costs. Warranty time is tolled while the car sits at the dealer, and each overnight dealer visit counts toward the 30-day out-of-service threshold. This is general information, not legal advice. Law as of Jun 30, 2026.
“Could not duplicate” doesn't mean the defect isn't real. Here's exactly what to do to protect a potential California lemon-law claim.
Document the moment it happens. Photos, video, and screenshots of any warning lights — with the date and the mileage.
Get a repair order every visit — even “found nothing.” That paperwork is the foundation of a claim.
Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Note any recall that has no available remedy yet.
Track your out-of-service days. California law counts the cumulative days your vehicle spends in the shop.
Keep loaner & rental records. Alternate-transport paperwork during long repairs matters.
Save everything in one place. Symptoms, dates, repair orders, and every repeat visit — the intermittent ones especially.
The Q50's two hardest-to-catch defects — DAS steering loss and transmission limp mode — self-clear on restart, making dealer CNX (cannot-duplicate) findings common.
1. Film every event. DAS loss and limp mode resolve with a restart; the technician who arrives minutes later sees nothing. A 30-second video of the steering angle, warning lights, and your inability to steer or accelerate beats any verbal description.
2. Force specific language onto the repair order. 'Customer states steering concern' is easy to CNX. 'Steering wheel rotated 90 degrees right and resisted driver input at 40 mph — restart required to recover' is not. Vague complaints hand the dealer an out.
3. DAS failures: ask the dealer to retrieve the DAS module fault log before clearing codes. DTC C1130 persists as a stored code after the condition resolves (ODI:11698265). If the dealer declines to pull the log, note the refusal in writing.
4. Transmission limp mode: demand a DTC printout from the service visit. Codes P0500 and P0720 are the key identifiers. If the dealer clears codes without recording them, that erases evidence of the pattern — document the gap.
5. VR30 turbo oil consumption: request a formal oil consumption test (measure oil level at known mileage; return at 1,000 miles). More than 1 quart per 1,200 miles is objectively excessive and should appear on the repair order with a boost pressure note.
6. Log every event personally: date, mileage, road conditions, warning lights, and any tow or roadside call. Under Song-Beverly, CNX visits count as repair attempts.
The Infiniti Q50 is a genuinely interesting driver's car whose recall record is more serious than its premium positioning implies. Eleven recalls across a decade — including two separate actions for the same steer-by-wire system and a driveshaft fatigue recall covering half the production run — reflect engineering ambition that outpaced quality execution. The VR30DDTT turbo oil consumption issue is the Q50's defining non-recall problem: widespread, expensive, and acknowledged by Infiniti through an extended warranty mailed directly to owners — yet never elevated to a formal recall. For used buyers, pre-purchase inspection of turbo seals, valve body health, and DAS recall completion is essential. For owners in the dealer repair cycle, the Q50's complaint file provides unusually strong documentary support for a lemon law evaluation.
— The Margarian Law team
If your Infiniti Q50 has been to the dealer multiple times for turbocharger failure, DAS steering loss, transmission limp mode, or recurring airbag warnings, you may have options under California's lemon law. Margarian Law has handled thousands of lemon-law cases and offers a free case review — no out-of-pocket cost. Bring your repair orders.
White or blue smoke from a Q50 3.0T combined with a low oil pressure warning is a hallmark of VR30DDTT turbocharger thrust bearing failure. The turbocharger's thrust bearing wears and loses its oil seal, allowing oil to enter the turbine housing and burn in the exhaust. Left unaddressed, the bearing seizure can score the turbo housing and, in cases involving the engine block porosity defect, allow coolant to enter the oil — causing main bearing failure and engine replacement. Infiniti acknowledged the defect by mailing an extended emission warranty notice to affected owners for turbo thrust bearing failures up to 120,000 miles. Take the vehicle out of service immediately when the low oil pressure warning activates, and have it towed to an Infiniti dealer. Request documentation of the extended warranty repair in writing. If the turbo has already been replaced once and the symptom has returned, that recurrence may constitute a second repair attempt on the same defect under California's Song-Beverly lemon law.
These are symptoms of Direct Adaptive Steering (DAS) steer-by-wire failure, which NHTSA addressed in two separate recalls: 13V588000 (2014 MY — software disables electric steering in cold weather) and 16V430000 (2014-2016 MY — startup error alters responsiveness and turning radius). Despite both remedies, NHTSA received continued complaints through 2025 of DAS total loss of assist, self-moving steering wheels, and vehicles requiring a restart to restore normal steering. If you have experienced these symptoms, first confirm with an Infiniti dealer that both recalls have been applied to your VIN. If symptoms recurred after a recall repair, or if the dealer says your VIN is not in either recall but you are still experiencing DAS failure, document every event in writing with date, mileage, and weather conditions. Steer-by-wire failure is a safety defect, and two or more dealer visits for the same symptom without a permanent fix is a core trigger for California's lemon law.
This is limp mode caused by RE7R01H 7-speed automatic transmission valve body or output/vehicle speed sensor failure. When the valve body's hydraulic control solenoids or the speed sensors fail, the transmission control module forces 3rd-gear lock to prevent further damage — leaving the vehicle unable to exceed 25-40 mph safely. The fault codes that accompany this failure are P0500 (vehicle speed sensor) and P0720 (output shaft speed sensor). The fix is typically valve body replacement ($2,500-$3,500 at a dealer or independent shop). Multiple owners have reported two or three valve body replacements on the same vehicle, with the failure recurring within 30,000-40,000 miles of each repair. Transmission fluid contamination is a contributing factor. If you have had this repair done twice within the Infiniti warranty period (4 years/60,000 miles new vehicle), that pattern directly supports a California Song-Beverly lemon law claim — especially because limp mode at highway speed creates a rear-end collision risk.
Yes. NHTSA Recall 24V470000 covers 2014-2018 Infiniti Q50 (RWD and AWD) for a driveshaft defect: the propeller shaft can develop fatigue cracks and fracture, causing sudden loss of drive power and potential contact between the broken shaft and the road surface at speed. This creates a direct crash risk. If your driveshaft broke or separated while driving, stop driving the vehicle immediately and have it towed. Contact an Infiniti dealer and reference recall 24V470000 — the repair is free and covers inspection and driveshaft replacement where required. If the failure caused a tow, damaged other vehicle components, or you had to pay for related repairs before the recall was issued, those out-of-pocket costs may be recoverable. If your 2014-2018 Q50 experienced driveshaft noise, vibration, or separation while the vehicle was under factory warranty and the dealer performed repairs that did not permanently resolve the issue, you may have a lemon law claim in California.
The Q50's InTouch dual-screen infotainment system (two stacked touchscreens) uses a Display Control Unit (DCU) that is prone to software instability and hardware failure, causing the upper or lower screen to go completely black, freeze requiring a vehicle restart, or lose Bluetooth connectivity mid-call. NHTSA complaint ODI:11103771 documents the DCU overriding user controls, displaying a skewed or absent reverse camera image, and causing dangerous distractions. This issue affects 2014-2019 Q50 models. If the screen failure also prevents the backup camera from displaying, it intersects with rearview camera recalls 19V654000 (2018-2019 MY) and 21V599000 (2021 MY). Under warranty, dealers typically perform software updates as a first step; permanent resolution usually requires DCU hardware replacement. If software updates have not resolved repeated screen failures, ask the dealer to document each visit specifically. Two or more failed repair attempts for the same infotainment defect within the Infiniti warranty period supports a Song-Beverly claim — especially if the backup camera is also non-functional as a result.
Under California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, a vehicle may qualify as a lemon if the same defect has been repaired two or more times during the warranty period without a permanent fix, or if the vehicle was out of service for repairs for 30 or more cumulative days. For the Q50, the most common qualifying scenarios are: two or more turbocharger replacements (3.0T models) within the 60,000-mile powertrain warranty or the Infiniti extended emission warranty; two or more DAS steering repairs where symptoms returned after the recall remedy; two or more transmission valve body replacements without a permanent cure of limp mode; and multiple airbag system repairs where the warning light re-illuminated. The law applies to vehicles purchased or leased new in California and covers the entire applicable warranty period — including extended warranties issued by Infiniti. Qualifying owners are entitled to a full refund of the purchase price or a replacement vehicle, with the manufacturer paying attorney fees and costs. To evaluate your specific situation, gather all repair orders from every dealer visit related to the defect and contact a California lemon law attorney for a free review.
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