Buyer Research

2016 Infiniti Q50 — Should You Buy One?

Typical asking price: $14,000–$21,000. This is one of the more reliable vehicles in its class — here's what to watch for anyway.

Kestrel Take

A comfortable, quick luxury sport sedan that undercuts the Germans on price. The 3.0T twin-turbo V6 (or the older 3.7L) has real pace, and the cabin is plush. Watch the twin-turbo cooling and the polarizing 'Direct Adaptive Steering' steer-by-wire on equipped cars. A lot of luxury and power for the money if maintained and the electronics check out.

What we checked

Reconciled against public records, 2026-09-11

NHTSA holds 39 owner complaints for the 2016 Infiniti Q50, across 4 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. The largest single group is the engine at 26%. That is notable without being overwhelming — worth checking, not worth panicking about.

4 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.

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

Known Issues for the 2016 Infiniti Q50

Ranked by wallet impact. These are documented, recurring problems — not freak accidents.

Twin-turbo 3.0T cooling / oil maintenanceMedium

The VR30 twin-turbo wants clean oil and healthy cooling; some early units had coolant/oil concerns. Check records and levels.

Repair cost (estimate): $200-$1,500

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

Direct Adaptive Steering (steer-by-wire)Medium

The optional steer-by-wire system feels artificial and can be costly if it faults; verify it works and consider a car without it.

Repair cost (estimate): $500-$2,000 if failed

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under steering (6).

Infotainment (dual-screen InTouch) lagLow

The two-screen system is slow and dated.

Repair cost (estimate): $0-$300

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under electrics and electronics (8).

Normal consumablesLow

Brakes, tires, suspension wear normally; performance tires cost more.

Repair cost (estimate): $200-$800

Source: not yet checked against public records.

Walk-Away Red Flags

✗Turbo coolant/oil concerns with no records
✗Steering faults or warnings
✗Overheating history
✗Modified/abused example

Good Signs

✓Documented oil service, steady levels
✓Steering working normally
✓Clean, adult-owned car

Found a specific Infiniti Q50?

This page covers what goes wrong on the 2016 Infiniti Q50 in general. The Kestrel report covers this specific car— the asking price vs. market, the photos, the seller's description, and a BUY / NEGOTIATE / WALK AWAY verdict with a negotiation script.

Get My Verdict — $7.99

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Not ready to pay for one? The free read is instant and needs no card — it checks the asking price against the market and names the top issues for this year. It stops short of the verdict, because that needs the photos.

Known issues on this page are based on documented owner reports, NHTSA complaints, class-action records, and manufacturer technical service bulletins. Individual vehicles vary. A pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic is always worth doing.

Other Infiniti Q50 years

2015 Infiniti Q50

$12,000–$19,000