infiniti q50 hybrid 2014 Complaints

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

on january 8, 2014, i was scheduled to bring my q50 for service for various issues and pick up a loaner. that am it was about 3 degrees f in chicago. when i started the car, i saw a series of warning lights, including dynamic control, seat belt light (my seat belt was on), master warning light, malfunction indicator light, brake warning light, direct response hybrid system warning light and one unidentified light. i live 3 miles from the service center and had no choice but to head to the dealer to drop off the car and pick up my loaner. the car seemed to operate normally at first. after 5 minutes in slow traffic, i saw the "chassis control system error" appear. i was now about 1.5 miles from infiniti. i made it 1 mile from the shop when the car just stopped on the road. it would not move but the heat and radio were still working. then a warning light came on that said "warning shift to park." i shifted to park and was then able to put it back in drive and move once again. every time i slowed to a near stop, the car would die again and ask me to put it in park. i was able to limp the car to within 3 blocks of infiniti when it stopped and could not be restarted. the car was now stuck on halsted st. during chicago rush hour. two guys in a truck pushed my car to the side of the road. i called infiniti and they picked me up and gave me a loaner. i photographed the screens with the warnings. its now january 31st and the car is still not ready. i was told that the transmission had to be replaced and it was coming from japan. car to be ready february 4th, 28 days after it died on the road. i filed a complaint with infiniti consumer affairs and have been given a complete run around. they said they were considering a buyback but 3 plus weeks into the process i was told they will not buy it back. i don't feel safe in this car and must sell it for a large loss.

Reported in: CHICAGO IL || Crash: N || VIN #: JN1AV7ARXEM

STEERING

even after das reprogram (itb14-006) per campaign end of january '14, das failed at cold temp at start up. after driving 10 min, i parked the car outside for 30 min at 0 degree f. when restarted, engine was on but multiple warnings appeared (same as reported on 1/11/14). this happened 2 times at cold temp before reprogramming, and previously, i was not able to turn tires at all because steering was just too heavy. however, this time (#3), i was able to turn tires even though it was still heavier than usual. the backup mechanical steer must have kicked in, and i was able to drive and move the car to more secure place and waited. in previous 2 occasions, after 40 min and 10 min each time when the car warmed up, all alarms disappeared. therefore, i waited, and after 40 min of engine running, i restarted the car and all alarms disappeared, and the car functioned normally. even though the mechanical steer kicked in and i was able to drive the car, it was obvious das still failed at cold temp. the fundamental das failure problem at cold temp has not been solved after this reprogram, but at least now the backup mechanical steer works in this situation. of separate note, in other 2 occasions, i was not able to change volume of audio. that was solved by turning car off and on. since this car has multiple sensors and controls, i am not certain if everything is running normally or not, if even a volume control of audio fails at times, since this is only thing that i can tell immediately, but something else that i cannot recognize while driving may be in fault mode without me knowing it.

Reported in: MADISON WI || Crash: N || VIN #:

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

even after das reprogram (itb14-006) per campaign end of january '14, das failed at cold temp at start up. after driving 10 min, i parked the car outside for 30 min at 0 degree f. when restarted, engine was on but multiple warnings appeared (same as reported on 1/11/14). this happened 2 times at cold temp before reprogramming, and previously, i was not able to turn tires at all because steering was just too heavy. however, this time (#3), i was able to turn tires even though it was still heavier than usual. the backup mechanical steer must have kicked in, and i was able to drive and move the car to more secure place and waited. in previous 2 occasions, after 40 min and 10 min each time when the car warmed up, all alarms disappeared. therefore, i waited, and after 40 min of engine running, i restarted the car and all alarms disappeared, and the car functioned normally. even though the mechanical steer kicked in and i was able to drive the car, it was obvious das still failed at cold temp. the fundamental das failure problem at cold temp has not been solved after this reprogram, but at least now the backup mechanical steer works in this situation. of separate note, in other 2 occasions, i was not able to change volume of audio. that was solved by turning car off and on. since this car has multiple sensors and controls, i am not certain if everything is running normally or not, if even a volume control of audio fails at times, since this is only thing that i can tell immediately, but something else that i cannot recognize while driving may be in fault mode without me knowing it.

Reported in: MADISON WI || Crash: N || VIN #:

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

multiple navigation / intouch crashes, malfunction, radio freezes, head proxy unit failure,. issues occur upon startup and you are forced to stop, wait 5 minutes, restart vehicle. brought in for service, replaced direct control unit,updated firmware. vehicle continues to display issues approx. 2 - 3 times per week approx. 15 - 25 minutes into commute. forced to pull off road, stop, wait, restart. scheduled visit with infiniti dealer tech specialist to review vehicle. infiniti engineering states 2 - 3 failures per week normal behavior. vehicle is hybrid, electric motor does not appear to run for expected duration resulting in city mpg under 20mpg. vehicle advertised at 27mpg city. i am concerned about electric motor behavior but infiniti does not view it as an issue. multiple attempt to resolve unsuccessful. infinti case 13118930

Reported in: BELMONT MA || Crash: N || VIN #: JN1AV7AR4EM

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

multiple navigation / intouch crashes, malfunction, radio freezes, head proxy unit failure,. issues occur upon startup and you are forced to stop, wait 5 minutes, restart vehicle. brought in for service, replaced direct control unit,updated firmware. vehicle continues to display issues approx. 2 - 3 times per week approx. 15 - 25 minutes into commute. forced to pull off road, stop, wait, restart. scheduled visit with infiniti dealer tech specialist to review vehicle. infiniti engineering states 2 - 3 failures per week normal behavior. vehicle is hybrid, electric motor does not appear to run for expected duration resulting in city mpg under 20mpg. vehicle advertised at 27mpg city. i am concerned about electric motor behavior but infiniti does not view it as an issue. multiple attempt to resolve unsuccessful. infinti case 13118930

Reported in: BELMONT MA || Crash: N || VIN #: JN1AV7AR4EM

ENGINE

multiple navigation / intouch crashes, malfunction, radio freezes, head proxy unit failure,. issues occur upon startup and you are forced to stop, wait 5 minutes, restart vehicle. brought in for service, replaced direct control unit,updated firmware. vehicle continues to display issues approx. 2 - 3 times per week approx. 15 - 25 minutes into commute. forced to pull off road, stop, wait, restart. scheduled visit with infiniti dealer tech specialist to review vehicle. infiniti engineering states 2 - 3 failures per week normal behavior. vehicle is hybrid, electric motor does not appear to run for expected duration resulting in city mpg under 20mpg. vehicle advertised at 27mpg city. i am concerned about electric motor behavior but infiniti does not view it as an issue. multiple attempt to resolve unsuccessful. infinti case 13118930

Reported in: BELMONT MA || Crash: N || VIN #: JN1AV7AR4EM

AIR BAGS

the front passenger air bag sensor system will intermittently activate when my wife (small stature adult) is sitting in the passenger seat. about half the time the system will activate when she gets in the car and about half the time it stays off. i brought the car into service at the dealership and they report the system is operating within specifications. i contacted infiniti but my discussions were extremely disappointing. they deny there is a problem with the car. they state that it is due to the occupant not sitting correctly. they came to their conclusion without observing how she sits in the car and without giving suggestions on what she is "doing wrong". i find this frustrating since this is the same reasoning they reported in september of 2013 prior to issuing a large recall in april 2014 and after an initial small recall in april 2013. i currently believe the sensor system is defective. i do not believe it is related to how she sits in the car. we have tried different ways of sitting in the car and nothing we do seems to help. she has never had a problem in vehicles manufactured by other car companies. and even if i accept their argument it still should be considered defective because an air bag system should not have a 50% reliability rating and be so dependent on if someone sits 1 mm off center. there should be a margin of safety to protect against failure during routine day to day operation. i just want the car to be fixed. and i want my family and the public at large to be safe. i am concerned that nissan/infiniti is denying a problem exists for economic reasons and to prevent another recall. i really appreciate any assistance you and your agency can provide in this matter.

Reported in: NORTHBROOK IL || Crash: N || VIN #: JN1AV7AR5EM