Buyer Research

2015 Infiniti Q50 — Should You Buy One?

Typical asking price: $12,000–$19,000. There is 1 high-severity known issue you need to know before handing over a check.

Deciding between model years? Compare the 10 Infiniti Q50 years we've written up →

Kestrel Take

A genuinely quick rear-drive sedan that depreciated harder than almost anything in its class. The VQ37 V6 is durable. The concern is Direct Adaptive Steering — a steer-by-wire system with a recall history and a repair cost that will surprise you.

What we checked

Partly reconciled against public records, 2026-09-25

NHTSA holds 125 owner complaints for the 2015 Infiniti Q50, and 3 recall campaigns.

A big number here usually means a lot of these were sold, not that it is a bad vehicle — popular models collect more complaints for the same rate of trouble. So the total on its own says little. What is worth reading is the shape of it. 31% of them are about one thing — the transmission and drivetrain. That much concentration is a genuine pattern rather than background noise, and it is the first thing to check on any example you look at.

3 recall campaigns cover this model year. Recalls are repaired free, for any owner, with no time limit on most safety campaigns — but only if someone books it in. Ask the seller to show it was done, or have any dealer check the VIN; it takes them a couple of minutes and costs nothing.

Not written up yet: the transmission and drivetrain (39 complaints), throttle and cruise control (21 complaints). Those groups are in the public record and are not covered by the issues below. Treat them as something to ask about, not as absent.

Counts come from the NHTSA complaint and recall database — free, public, and worth checking yourself.

Known Issues for the 2015 Infiniti Q50

Ranked by wallet impact. These are documented, recurring problems — not freak accidents. How we decide that.

Direct Adaptive Steering (steer-by-wire) failuresHigh — wallet impact

The system had recalls for loss of steering assist and a numb, artificial feel that many owners disliked. Replacement of the steering force actuator or control units is expensive.

Repair cost (estimate): $2,000-$5,000 — about 32% of what this car is typically worth

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under steering (28); 3 NHTSA recall campaigns on this model year.

Timing chain guide wear (VQ37)Medium

A rattle at cold start on higher-mileage engines. Labor-intensive on a transverse-free but tightly packed engine bay.

Repair cost (estimate): $1,800-$3,000

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the engine (10).

InTouch dual-screen infotainment failuresMedium

Slow, occasionally unresponsive, and the lower screen fails on some cars.

Repair cost (estimate): $700-$2,000

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under electrics and electronics (17).

Oil consumption on higher-mileage VQ enginesMedium

The VQ family burns oil as it ages. Check the level and ask about top-ups.

Repair cost (estimate): $0 if monitored

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the engine (10).

Walk-Away Red Flags

✗Any steering warning message
✗Open recalls on the steering system
✗Cold-start rattle
✗Modified or tuned Red Sport 400

Good Signs

✓Conventional hydraulic-assist steering rather than Direct Adaptive Steering
✓All recalls completed
✓Full service history with regular oil changes