The Infiniti Q50 is a sleek, compact sedan that offers athletic design and luxurious features. In 2020, the Infiniti luxury four-door looks like a good overall choice for drivers looking for a vehicle that pampers while still delivering thrilling performance. However, 2014 was not a year for the automotive record books in the Infiniti world. In fact, the 2014 Infiniti Q50 models had the most complaints by far from vehicle owners than any year before or since. What are the worst problems that drivers complained about?

Infiniti Q50 master cylinder failure

A major issue with the 2014 Infiniti Q50 is master cylinder failure, which ranked a 10 out of 10 in severity on CarComplaints.com. It’s a very big deal because the master cylinder and pump seal are at the heart of the braking system. Replacing the master cylinder on the Infiniti Q50 is reported to cost around $2,000, and that is the only solution to this problem.

Symptoms of master cylinder failure are your brake pedal sinking into the floor, spongy feeling brakes, the brake warning light coming on, the check engine light coming on, low and/or contaminated brake fluid, and failure to stop.

Interior accessories problems

Several drivers of this Infiniti luxury sedan were upset that interior accessories did not function as advertised in the 2014 Infiniti Q50. Specifically, they reported the InTouch screen didn’t work properly. InTouch is Infiniti’s infotainment system that’s supposed to turn your vehicle into a Wi-Fi hotspot on wheels.

In the 2014 Infiniti Q50, owners complained their high-tech touchscreens never worked as they were supposed to. Problems ranged from a slow boot to not having any volume control to the app not being able to be downloaded for a year. Customers complained that Infiniti continually told them the problem would be resolved and it never was. In 2017, Infiniti’s parent company, Nissan, agreed to settle a Q50 InTouch lawsuit that alleged owners paid more than they should have for their cars. 

Tire issues in the 2014 Infiniti Q50

Another complaint listed for the Q50 sedan was about the tires. Tire cupping can cause the Q50 to need excessive alignments, adding to maintenance costs. Cupped tires can be caused when parts in the shock absorbers and the car’s suspension become bent or loose. Cupped tires can cause the vehicle to vibrate and become wobbly, lean to one side, and slow down. Owners reported tires cupping as early as 500 miles. 

The Q50 has gotten better

Luckily for Infiniti, things have improved for the Q50 since 2014. The 2020 Infiniti Q50 is a luxury vehicle that has an athletic design and drive. Key features include a leather-appointed interior, advanced active safety technology, and Apple CarPlay. The newest Q50 is powered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged engine, putting out 400 hp. This power is brought to a stop by 12.6-inch ventilated disc brakes.

Another impressive feature on the new Infiniti Q50 its available intelligent all-wheel drive. When it isn’t needed, 100 percent of the power stays in the rear wheels for a sports car-like driving experience. When conditions change, the Q50 automatically senses it and sends up to 50 percent of the power up to the front wheels for traction. It also has a suite of smart safety features including intelligent cruise control, an around-view monitor, forward emergency braking, and predictive collision warnings. 

The 2014 Infiniti Q50 is a gorgeous vehicle with plenty of power and a five-star safety rating in all categories. However, it’s still a year to avoid because of the many complaints reported. Today’s models are a big improvement that show none of the problems reported by buyers of the 2014 model.