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Engine Internal Failure Risk - Stall, Power Loss, or Fire
engine knocking; engine stalls; sudden loss of power; check engine light; engine failure recall
Catastrophic2019-2022
OPEN HOURS MON–FRI | 9AM–6PM
2019-2022 Infiniti QX50 engine recall (25V437), VC-Turbo bearing failure, CVT shudder, ProPILOT phantom braking. Learn your California lemon-law rights.
You bought an Infiniti QX50 because the badge promised something more. The 2019 redesign was genuinely bold: Infiniti shipped the world's first production variable compression turbo engine — a technical marvel that adjusts its compression ratio on the fly. The price, $38,000 to $56,000, matched the ambition. What the brochure did not mention is that the KR20DDET VC-Turbo was unproven at scale, and Nissan North America has now acknowledged in a federal recall that engine bearings across the entire 2019-2022 production run may have manufacturing defects serious enough to breach the engine block and release hot oil — a fire risk. NHTSA Recall 25V437000 covers all four model years and approximately 84,536 QX50 units.
For many owners, the recall has not ended the problem — it has started a new one. NHTSA filings from 2025 and 2026 describe dealers who find metal shavings in the oil pan but still refuse to replace the engine, citing that the recall remedy is only an ECM software reprogram. One 2019 QX50 owner documented two engine replacements, two turbocharger replacements, and one CVT replacement on a single vehicle.
The Xtronic JF017E CVT adds a second layer of unreliability — when the engine management system commands reduced power during a bearing fault, the CVT loses ratio control and triggers limp-mode at highway speed. ProPILOT Assist phantom braking is documented across all four model years, including incidents triggered by entering a covered bridge or saying 'Hey Siri.' The InTouch dual-screen infotainment freezes and takes the backup camera with it. If your QX50 has been to the dealer repeatedly, California's Song-Beverly Act may entitle you to a replacement or full repurchase. Documentation is everything.
The issues owners report most, ranked by severity — each one verified against a cited NHTSA source.
engine knocking; engine stalls; sudden loss of power; check engine light; engine failure recall
airbag warning light; passenger airbag may not deploy; SRS warning; occupant detection fault
backup camera blank; screen goes black in reverse; rearview camera distorted
warning light; recall notice; repeated dealer repair
sticky steering; steering wheel feels stuck; increased steering effort; steering recall
warning light; recall notice; repeated dealer repair
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.
airbag warning light; passenger airbag may not deploy; SRS warning; occupant detection fault
Recall 18V593000 covers the 2019 QX50 knee airbag module — a safety system defect where the airbag cover can detach during deployment in cold weather, increasing injury risk. If the dealer performed the knee airbag module replacement but you subsequently experience an SRS warning light or airbag-related fault, each visit for the unresolved airbag system counts toward Song-Beverly's reasonable-attempt threshold. Airbag defects are among the highest-priority safety claims under California lemon law.
INFINITI will notify owners, and retailers will replace the passenger-side knee air bag module, free of charge. The recall began October 23, 2018. Owners may contact INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200.
backup camera blank; screen goes black in reverse; rearview camera distorted
Recall 19V654000 covers a software defect that silently disables the rearview camera — a violation of FMVSS 111 that Infiniti resolved with a software update. If your backup camera display goes black after the recall repair, or if the fix was never performed (check your VIN on NHTSA.gov), you have an open safety defect. A recurring rearview camera blackout after the recall remedy is a separate warranty defect that may independently 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.
warning light; recall notice; repeated dealer repair
Recall 21V025000 covers an illegible tire placard on 2020 QX50 vehicles. While the underlying consequence — incorrect tire size or overloading — carries a crash risk, this is a documentation compliance recall with a simple placard inspection and replacement remedy. It is the least likely of the six QX50 recalls to independently support a Song-Beverly claim on its own, but it contributes to the vehicle's overall recall history when combined with more serious defects.
INFINITI will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the legibility of and, as necessary, replaced the placard, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200. Infiniti's number for this recall is PC788.
sticky steering; steering wheel feels stuck; increased steering effort; steering recall
Recall 21V402000 covers the 2021 QX50's front steering knuckle and rear axle housing — components that can deform on curb impact and cause wheel separation or loss of steering control. If your recall repair involved component replacement and you subsequently notice unusual vibration, uneven tire wear, or handling changes, document each dealer visit carefully. A recurring steering or suspension symptom after this recall's remedy creates a strong basis for a Song-Beverly repeat-repair claim.
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.
warning light; recall notice; repeated dealer repair
Recall 23V187000 covers a wrong door latch in the 2022 QX50's front right passenger door that prevents automatic locking — increasing door-open risk in a crash. If you are a 2022 QX50 owner and the dealer has not yet replaced this latch (or if the passenger door later fails to lock automatically), you have an open safety defect. Song-Beverly provides remedies when a dealer is unable to permanently fix a safety-related recall defect after a reasonable number of attempts.
Dealers will replace the front right-side passenger door lock assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 14, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PC962.
engine knocking; engine stalls; sudden loss of power; check engine light; engine failure recall
Recall 25V437000 covers all 2019-2022 Infiniti QX50 vehicles for VC-Turbo engine bearing manufacturing defects that can cause engine block failure and hot oil discharge — creating an engine fire risk. This is the most serious recall on this vehicle. The ECM software reprogram remedy does not repair mechanical bearing damage already present. If your engine was inspected and Infiniti denied replacement despite metal debris in the oil pan, or if you experienced engine failure after the recall was issued, you have strong grounds for a Song-Beverly lemon-law claim — including for a vehicle replacement or cash buyback.
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.
engine knocking or ticking at idle and under acceleration; variable compression ratio actuator noise; metal shavings in oil pan on inspection; burning oil smell; engine malfunction warning light illuminated; limp mode at highway speed; vehicle loses power suddenly while driving; dealer closes repair order after ECM reprogram without inspecting mechanical components; engine stalls and cannot be restarted
Infiniti's ECM-only recall remedy does not repair mechanical bearing or actuator damage already present. Each dealer visit for engine knock, power loss, or metal debris — even if closed as recall-related — counts toward Song-Beverly's reasonable-number-of-attempts threshold. Owners returning two or more times for the same engine symptom after the recall remedy may be eligible for a vehicle replacement or repurchase under Cal. Civ. Code §1793.2(d). Dealers who document metal shavings but refuse engine replacement are creating a repair record that strengthens a lemon-law claim.
Recall remedy under 25V437 is ECM software reprogram; if metal debris found in oil pan, engine replacement. VCR actuator bracket failure requires actuator and bracket replacement separately. Owners with persistent knock after recall ECM reprogram should demand documented oil-pan inspection and written denial if replacement is refused.
CVT shudder or jerking during acceleration; delayed throttle response at low speed; vehicle surges then suddenly decelerates; transmission warning light; vehicle enters limp mode on highway; engine and transmission warning lights appear simultaneously; CVT fails to engage Drive or Park; automatic braking co-activates during CVT malfunction event; transmission replacement required before 80,000 miles
Limp-mode engagement at highway speed substantially impairs the use and safety of the vehicle, meeting the Song-Beverly threshold for a safety-related defect. If the CVT malfunction recurs after a dealer repair — particularly when the dealer treats it as a secondary symptom of the engine recall rather than an independent defect — each failed repair visit strengthens the claim. Owners should insist that the CVT fault code appear on its own repair order so it is not absorbed into the engine-recall repair count.
CVT fluid flush and replacement; TCM software update where available; if shudder or limp mode recurs, CVT valve-body inspection or transmission replacement. Owners should ensure every CVT malfunction warning is documented on a separate repair order from the engine recall, to preserve a distinct repair count.
upper or lower InTouch touchscreen freezes mid-drive; dashboard display goes completely black while driving; HUD head-up display shows phantom proximity alerts with no vehicles present; wireless Apple CarPlay disconnects or fails to pair; navigation map reboots while in motion; Bluetooth audio drops; climate and audio controls unresponsive via touchscreen; backup camera unavailable during screen blackout; requires full vehicle restart to restore display
Repeated infotainment failures that prevent backup camera display implicate the FMVSS 111 rearview visibility standard and may elevate to a safety defect claim under Song-Beverly. If a dealer has reflashed the InTouch software twice or more without permanently resolving the blackout or CarPlay dropout, the owner may qualify for lemon-law relief. Owners should ensure each dealer visit for this symptom generates a separate repair order rather than being bundled with other warranty work.
IVI software update (dealer flash); if freeze recurs, replacement of InTouch head-unit module. Backup camera blackout during IVI freeze may be treated separately under existing recall 19V654000 if display-settings corruption is the trigger. Owners should document each freeze or blackout episode with date, mileage, and dashboard photo before bringing the vehicle in.
vehicle suddenly applies full brakes without driver input at highway speeds; collision warning activates on completely clear road; car decelerates to near-stop on freeway creating rear-end crash risk; braking triggered by entering covered bridge, tunnel, or bridge; braking event triggered by voice-command activation ('Hey Siri'); emergency braking system illuminated after lockup; vehicle unable to move normally after ADAS lockup event; FCA and AWD systems engage simultaneously; multiple warning lights flash after phantom brake event
A single documented phantom-braking event at highway speed — where the dealer confirms an ADAS fault code — constitutes a substantial safety impairment under Song-Beverly. Unlike drivability defects that require multiple repair attempts, a single high-speed braking event with documented ADAS involvement may be sufficient for a lemon-law claim if the safety risk is severe. Two or more visits for the same phantom-braking symptom create strong eligibility. Owners should file an NHTSA complaint immediately after any phantom-brake event and photograph the dashboard warning lights.
ProPILOT radar sensor recalibration; ADAS control module software update where available. During an active ADAS lockup at speed, owners should safely move to the shoulder, turn off the ignition, wait 60 seconds before restart. Dealers should document the specific trigger environment (bridge, tunnel) and the fault codes stored at the time of the phantom brake event on the repair order.
loud explosive sound from roof while driving at highway speed; panoramic moonroof glass shatters inward without any road debris or prior impact; glass fragments enter vehicle interior and fall onto front seat and lap; typically the front (first) moonroof panel; dealer attributes to rock impact despite no evidence
Spontaneous moonroof shattering with glass entering the occupant compartment at highway speed is a safety defect under Song-Beverly. If the moonroof is replaced and shatters again, the owner has a classic repeat-repair claim. If the dealer refuses warranty coverage, the owner should document the refusal in writing — a repair order marked 'impact damage, no warranty coverage' is itself evidence of an unresolved safety defect that may support a Song-Beverly claim.
Moonroof glass panel replacement (typically covered under comprehensive auto insurance if framed as damage; warranty coverage disputed by dealers who cite rock impact). Owners should file an NHTSA complaint immediately, photograph the interior glass scatter pattern (which shows inward fragmentation consistent with spontaneous shattering rather than an external impact), and request the dealer inspect the retention frame before replacement.
interior and exterior lights flickering intermittently; door locks engaging and disengaging without input; vehicle fails to start after sitting overnight; multiple dashboard warning lights appear simultaneously; ADAS safety systems malfunction along with lighting and lock failures; navigation, backup camera, and rearview display all inoperable simultaneously; repeated dead battery requiring jump-start
A 12V drain that disables ADAS safety systems — including Forward Emergency Braking and backup camera — rises above an annoyance to a safety impairment under Song-Beverly. If the dealer replaces the battery without identifying and fixing the underlying parasitic draw, the symptom will recur. Each return visit for dead battery or electrical cascade failure counts toward the repair-attempt threshold. Owners should request that the repair order specify the parasitic draw measurement before and after repair.
Parasitic draw diagnosis; identify which module is not entering sleep mode; software update or module replacement for the offending component. Short-term: negative battery cable disconnect to reset all modules. Battery replacement alone does not resolve underlying parasitic draw — owners should insist on draw-current measurement (target <50mA after 30-minute sleep cycle) on the repair order.
remedy available
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Rogue, 2019-2020 Altima, 2019-2022 Infiniti QX50, and 2022 Infiniti QX55 vehicles equipped with 3-cylinder 1.5L or 4-cylinder 2.0L variable compression turbo (VC-Turbo) engines. The engine bearings may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine failure.
remedy available
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2023 INFINITI QX55 and 2022 INFINITI QX50 vehicles. The incorrect door latch may have been installed in the front right-side passenger door lock assembly, preventing the front right-side door lock from automatically locking.
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 2020 INFINITI QX50 vehicles. The text of the Tire and Loading Information placard, including the tire size and loading capacity, may be illegible. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
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, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019 INFINITI QX50 vehicles. In the event of a crash in very cold temperatures, the trim cover may separate unexpectedly from the passenger-side knee air bag module instead of splitting at the trim cover tear seam as designed.
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 Act gives QX50 owners powerful remedies when Infiniti's dealers cannot fix a warrantied defect after a reasonable number of attempts. You may be entitled to a full repurchase — down payment, monthly payments, finance charges, and registration, minus a mileage offset — or a comparable replacement vehicle.
Under Civil Code §1793.2(d)(2), the presumption triggers if:
For QX50 owners:
The statute applies to new and certified pre-owned vehicles with active manufacturer-backed warranties. Song-Beverly requires Infiniti to pay your attorney's fees if you prevail, so most cases cost you nothing out of pocket.
“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 QX50's two hardest-to-duplicate defects: engine knock that comes and goes with oil temperature, and ProPILOT phantom braking that fires only at covered bridges or on voice-command activation — neither of which a dealer can reproduce in a parking-lot test.
1. Document before you call. Record engine knock on video with audio — phone timestamps automatically. Note mileage, ambient temp, and whether knock appears at idle or under load. For phantom braking, log the exact location, speed, and whether ProPILOT was active. File an NHTSA complaint at NHTSA.gov before your appointment — the ODI number creates a federal record Infiniti cannot ignore.
2. Write your own symptom description on the intake form. Be specific: 'Engine knocking at idle, cold start, louder on deceleration.' Name the phantom-braking trigger environment. Ask the service advisor to write your description verbatim on the repair order.
3. Read the repair order before you leave. If it says 'unable to duplicate,' ask what tests were done. For Recall 25V437 engine knock: ask whether an oil-pan inspection was performed and whether any debris was found. A written denial of engine replacement despite documented debris is among the most powerful documents in a lemon-law case.
4. Return for the same symptom. Song-Beverly's clock starts at the first repair order — even one marked 'unable to duplicate.' Two attempts for a safety defect, four for any defect. Keep each symptom on its own repair order line. After three visits or 30 cumulative out-of-service days, consult an attorney.
The 2019-2022 QX50 is a cautionary tale about deploying revolutionary engineering before it is ready at production scale. The KR20DDET VC-Turbo was a genuine technological first. But Recall 25V437000 — covering all four model years and 84,000+ vehicles for bearing defects and fire risk — shows the technology was not fully validated for mass-market durability.
What compounds the damage for owners is the remedy gap: an ECM reprogram that does not touch the engine mechanically. NHTSA complaints from 2025 and 2026 document dealers finding metal debris in oil pans and still refusing engine replacement. That pattern — defect acknowledged, correct remedy denied — is precisely what Song-Beverly was designed to address.
Owners with multiple visits for engine knock, CVT limp-mode, or ADAS phantom braking should consult a California lemon-law attorney before accepting another repair attempt.
— The Margarian Law team
If your 2019-2022 Infiniti QX50 has been to the dealer multiple times for engine knock, CVT problems, ProPILOT phantom braking, or an engine replacement denied under Recall 25V437, you may have options. Margarian Law offers a free case review and handles lemon-law cases at no out-of-pocket cost to you.
Yes. NHTSA Recall 25V437000, issued in 2025, covers all 2019-2022 Infiniti QX50 vehicles — approximately 84,536 units — for a manufacturing defect in the KR20DDET VC-Turbo engine bearings. The defect can cause the engine to fail, and a breach in the engine block may allow hot oil to discharge, creating an engine fire risk. The recall remedy is a free ECM software reprogram at an authorized Infiniti dealer. However, NHTSA complaints from 2025 and 2026 document that many dealers are finding metal shavings in the oil pan — confirming mechanical bearing damage — but still refusing to replace the engine, citing that the owner did not meet certain criteria. If your QX50 has been denied an engine replacement despite documented metal debris, consult a California lemon-law attorney. You can verify whether your specific VIN is affected at NHTSA.gov/Recalls by entering your 17-digit VIN.
Engine knock in the 2019-2022 QX50 is closely associated with the VC-Turbo bearing recall (NHTSA 25V437000). Many owners report that their dealer acknowledges the recall, performs only an ECM software reprogram, and closes the repair order — even when engine knock persists. The recall remedy is a software flash, not a mechanical repair; it does not fix bearings that are already physically worn or damaged. A secondary failure mode — the variable compression ratio (VCR) actuator bracket wearing against the engine block — can also produce a distinct knocking or rattling sound that is unrelated to the bearing recall and is not covered by it. If your QX50 knocks and the dealer is dismissing it after a recall visit: demand that the repair order specifically document whether an oil-pan inspection was performed and whether any metal debris was found. A written denial of engine replacement despite confirmed debris is powerful evidence in a California lemon-law claim. File an NHTSA complaint at NHTSA.gov as well — each filed complaint adds to the regulatory record.
Sudden, unexplained braking in the 2019-2022 QX50 is a documented ProPILOT Assist Forward Emergency Braking defect. NHTSA complaints describe the system activating at 55-70 MPH on completely clear roads, with no obstacle ahead. Known triggers include: entering covered bridges or tunnels (where the radar misreads the transition as an obstacle), and — in at least one documented complaint — saying 'Hey Siri' to an iPhone while driving on the highway. The pattern has been reported across all four model years (2019-2022). This type of defect creates a rear-end collision risk for following traffic and qualifies as a safety defect under California's Song-Beverly Act. If your dealer cannot duplicate the phantom braking in a parking-lot test, document the exact road conditions and location when it occurs, file an NHTSA complaint (nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem), and return to the dealer with that documentation. Two attempted repairs for a safety defect may be sufficient for a California lemon-law claim.
The InTouch dual-screen infotainment blackout is not currently covered by a dedicated recall, but it is a documented pattern across all four J55 QX50 model years. The symptom most commonly described is the upper InTouch screen (navigation/audio) going completely black while all controls — radio, heated seats, climate — continue working normally. In the 2022 model year, NHTSA complaints document the dashboard going black simultaneously with phantom HUD proximity alerts and touchscreen freeze. If the screen blackout also causes your backup camera to go unavailable when reversing, that co-occurrence may be related to Recall 19V654000 (rearview camera display settings defect). The standard dealer remedy is a software flash to the IVI head unit. If the blackout recurs after two or more dealer visits, this qualifies as a warranty defect that has not been permanently repaired — meeting the starting threshold for a Song-Beverly lemon-law claim. Document every blackout episode with date, mileage, and a photo of the black screen before your next dealer appointment.
Yes, if your 2019-2022 Infiniti QX50 has been to an authorized dealer for the same defect multiple times without a permanent fix — or if it has been out of service for 30 or more cumulative days — California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act may entitle you to a full vehicle repurchase or replacement at Infiniti's expense. A repurchase includes your down payment, all monthly payments made, finance charges, registration, and taxes, minus a mileage offset calculated from when the defect first appeared. The qualifying thresholds are: four or more repair attempts for the same defect; two or more attempts for a safety defect (such as the VC-Turbo engine bearing fire risk or ProPILOT phantom braking); or 30+ cumulative days out of service. Song-Beverly also requires Infiniti to pay your attorney's fees if you prevail, meaning qualified California lemon-law cases are typically handled at no cost to the owner. The statute applies to new vehicles and to certified pre-owned vehicles with manufacturer-backed warranties. Gather all repair orders, your purchase contract, and any NHTSA complaint numbers you have filed before your first attorney consultation.
If your 2019-2022 Infiniti QX50 was brought in under Recall 25V437000 and the dealer denied an engine replacement — even after finding metal shavings or debris in the oil pan — take these steps immediately. First, obtain a copy of the repair order from that visit and confirm it documents the denial and the reason given in writing. Second, file a complaint with NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem — your ODI number creates a federal record that is difficult for Infiniti to ignore. Third, escalate to Infiniti Customer Affairs at 1-800-662-6200 and open a formal case; request a regional technical specialist review. Document that conversation with date, time, and representative name. Fourth, return to the dealer if the engine begins knocking again, stalls, or loses power — that second visit for the same symptom is another repair attempt under Song-Beverly. Fifth, consult a California lemon-law attorney. Under Song-Beverly, a confirmed safety defect that Infiniti has failed to remedy after a reasonable number of attempts — including an attempt documented as a denial — may entitle you to a replacement vehicle or full repurchase. Attorney fees are paid by Infiniti if you win.
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