Are INFINITIs Reliable?

• Many INFINITI models have high safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA. The QX60 was awarded by J.D. Power for dependability in the midsize premium SUV segment.
• INFINITI is ranked 16th among 32 car brands by RepairPal, with an average annual maintenance cost of $638, typical for luxury vehicles.
• INFINITIs show moderate fuel efficiency. Common issues include steering problems, dashboard defects, electrical issues, and transmission malfunctions, impacting the overall reliability compared to other luxury brands.

INFINITI ranks high among luxury brands for its low cost of ownership, high safety ratings, and dependability. However, it lacks the same rankings in fuel efficiency and repair costs. Like many other luxury nameplates, the brand tends to trade these areas for style, advanced features, and design. 

Many potential buyers may assume that luxury brands like INFINITI represent a set of refined features that improve upon the Nissan lineup. Whether that’s the case or not can be determined by reviewing the resources below to gain a well-rounded perspective of INFINITI and its reliability. The following sources can also inform reliability ratings for any brand: 

• J.D. Power dependability rewards 
• FuelEconomy.gov’s fuel efficiency ratings
• Safety ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
• Average repair costs reported by RepairPal
• Kelley Blue Book’s (KBB) 5-Year Cost to Own

If you’re in the market for a used car but are unsure which brand offers the most reliable models, use the resources above. Compare models across brands to see which fits your short list of desired features best. Your research will translate to a more informed purchase decision. 

If you’re wondering whether Hondas, Audis, BMWs, Toyotas, or Volkswagens are reliable, the following resources can help answer that question. Using these same resources can also shed light on INFINITI’s reliability in terms of average repair costs, cost of ownership, fuel efficiency and safety ratings, and dependability. 

1. Safety features and ratings

INFINITI earns high marks from the NHTSA and IIHS across its lineup: 

• 2024 INFINITI Q50: “Good” rating in all categories; not yet rated by NHTSA
• 2024 INFINITI QX50: “Good” rating in all categories except Side: updated test (“Acceptable” rating) and a five-star overall rating
• 2024 INFINITI QX60: “Good” rating in all categories (2023 Top Safety Pick+) and a five-star overall safety rating
• 2024 INFINITI QX80: Not yet rated by IIHS; four-out-of-five-star overall safety rating

If you’re considering purchasing an INFINITI, it’s nice to know that you can drive a high-quality, luxury vehicle and stay safe behind the wheel. 

2. Dependability

J.D. Power awarded the 2022 INFINITI QX60 for highest performance in the midsize premium SUV segment. Contenders included the Cadillac XT5, Lexus GX and RX, Acura MDX, and Land Rover Defender. INFINITI scored 85 out of 100 for Driving Experience. 

3. Average repair costs

RepairPal ranks the INFINITI brand 16th out of 32 best car brands, with a 3.5 out of five overall reliability rating. INFINITIs visit the shop 0.7 times per year on average, with a 10% chance the repairs are severe. The average annual repair cost is $638, lower than the $652 average repair costs across all models. 

4. Fuel efficiency

If you’re looking for a particularly fuel-efficient vehicle, INFINITIs probably aren’t your first choice. However, the brand does perform respectably well given the powerplants housed within these sophisticated packages: 

• 2023 INFINITI Q50 AWD: 19 city and 27 highway miles-per-gallon (MPG)
• 2024 INFINITI QX80 2WD: 14 city and 20 highway MPG
• 2024 INFINITI QX60 AWD: 20 city and 25 highway MPG
• 2024 INFINITI QX50: 23 city and 29 highway MPG

Filling the tank on these INFINITI models can cost you anywhere from $70 to $114, depending on gas prices and your chosen model. However, all models can drive over 400 miles on a single gas tank.   

5. Cost of ownership 

Regarding the cost of ownership, KBB awarded the 2024 INFINITI QX80 second place for the luxury full-size SUV/crossover segment. The cost of ownership came in at $93,088. The first-place winner, the 2024 Jeep Wagoneer, cost $84,956 to own over five years. 

On top of figuring out how long a vehicle inspection takes, you may wonder what common problems INFINITIs suffer from. The list below highlights a few of these issues you may experience in owning an INFINITI. 

1. Steering issues

Leaky steering racks plague several INFINITIs and are one of the more common problems owners face. While a minor leak may not seem like more than just filling up the power steering fluid reservoir once in a while, replacing the rack (which is the standard solution to this problem) can cost owners a lot of time and money. 

2. Dashboard defects

Despite its pedigree as a luxury brand, some INFINITI models suffered from premature damage to the dashboards of various model years. While many of the instances of degradation occurred in harsher climates where UV rays were primarily responsible, it’s still a concern among potential buyers. However, it seems more recent models have since dealt with this issue. 

3. Electrical issues

RepairPal calls out the failure of the crankshaft position sensor as common among INFINITIs. This sensor failure can cause the engine not to turn because the computer can’t recognize where the crankshaft sits to fire correctly. The mass airflow (MAF) sensor can also fail, causing issues with the engine. Several owners have also reported issues with the infotainment system glitching out. 

4. Transmission malfunction 

Premature failure can quickly put any car out of commission, let alone a luxury vehicle like INFINITI. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) found in the INFINITIs can experience hard downshifts that negatively affect the driving experience. Several INFINITI models suffer from these and related transmission issues. 

Given RepairPal’s rankings of INFINITI among all car brands, it’s not necessarily the most expensive to maintain, but it’s not the most affordable either. At an average of $638 annually in repair costs, it’s worth looking into your budget to ensure you have enough room to save up for unexpected repairs. However, routine maintenance and daily care will extend an INFINITI’s lifespan, potentially by years. You can also purchase warranty coverage to reduce out-of-pocket costs for repairs, which is especially helpful for expensive powertrain problems that may arise. 

Although INFINITI is a small automaker, several models in the lineup rank among the most reliable vehicles. These models include the Q50, QX60, and the QX80.

INFINITI Q50 

The INFINITI Q50 ranks in the top third of luxury midsize cars, according to RepairPal. The specific INFINITI model costs $648 yearly to maintain, which is only $10 more than the brand itself. The severity of repairs is only 8%, but these luxury cars visit the repair shop about 0.6 times annually. 

INFINITI QX60

Among luxury full-size SUVs, the INFINITI QX60 ranks second for reliability. The model earns a 3.5 out of five reliability rating from RepairPal and only costs $1 more to maintain annually than the manufacturer. While this INFINITI SUV does tend to visit the repair shop 0.8 times annually, there’s only a 10% chance of a severe repair. 

INFINITI QX80

Believe it or not, the INFINITI QX80 beats out its smaller stablemate for luxury SUVs, earning a similar 3.5 out of five reliability rating. RepairPal reports the three-row model visits the shop 0.7 times annually, with about 8% of repairs categorized as severe. Average annual repair costs are higher at $718, but there’s a lot more vehicle to care for with the QX80. 

As a brand, INFINITI ranks in the middle of the pack in reliability. Where it scores well in safety, dependability, and five-year ownership costs, it lacks competitive appeal in fuel efficiency and average repair costs. If you’re looking for a Nissan-based vehicle with a slew of creature comforts left off the equipment list, INFINITI checks all the boxes.