InfinitiQX502020Overview/infiniti/qx50/2020/base/

2020 Infiniti QX50

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2020 QX50.

Transmission Automatic (AV-S8)

The 2020 Infiniti QX50 routes power through an AV-S8 automatic transmission to an engine requiring 5.0 quarts of 5W-30 oil, returning EPA economy of 23 city, 29 highway, and 26 combined mpg. Within the model's complaint history spanning 2014 through 2025, this year's 30 total owner complaints and two recalls mark a steep decline from the 2019 peak of 131 complaints, placing it firmly in the post-launch stabilization period. Still, with the engine ranking as the top complaint area, the data suggests that while Infiniti corrected many early-generation issues, powertrain concerns warrant close attention from any prospective researcher.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920172016

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30OEM · verified
Lug nut torque83 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy23/29/26 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI NS · 720 CCA battery, OE oil filter 1520865F1E. Note the factory front wiper blades is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI NS · 720 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP235/55RF19 101VOEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter1520865F1E
Engine air filter165465NA1C
Spark plug224015NA1C
Front wiper blades288905NA1A discontinued · alt 288905NA0A
Serpentine belt117205NA0B
Thermostat212505NA4A
Cabin air filterH72776CA1J alt H72775NA1J

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AV-S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length185 in
Overall width75.2 in
Overall height66.1 in
Wheelbase110.2 in
Curb weight4173 lb
Track (front / rear)64.6 / 64.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)59/41

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined23 / 29 / 26 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the QX50 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.20 sec — 2020 Essential
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2020Essential 2.0L Turbo I-46.20 sec14.80 sec268 hpAWD
2019Essential 2.0L Turbo I-46.30 sec14.80 sec268 hpAWD
2019Essential 2.0L Turbo I-46.40 sec15.00 sec268 hpAWD
2019Essential 2.0L Turbo I-46.40 sec14.90 sec268 hpAWD
2019Essential 2.0L Turbo I-46.50 sec15.10 sec268 hpAWD
2019Essential 2.0L Turbo I-46.60 sec15.10 sec268 hpAWD
2019Essential 2.0L Turbo I-46.70 sec15.20 sec268 hpAWD
2024Autograph 2.0L Turbo I-46.90 sec15.40 sec268 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.0 qt of 5W-30 engine oil, GL-5 · 75W-80 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 83 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidNissan NS-3 CVT Fluid
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity9.25 qt
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilGL-5 · 75W-80
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.125 pt
Engine CoolantNissan Long Life Blue Antifreeze/Coolant
Engine Coolant Capacity8.1 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · SAE 5W · synthetic

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts80.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts83 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts83 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK
Spark Plug TypeDILKAR7N9HG
Spark Plug Gap.031-.035 in

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant CapacityAlways Refer to the Underhood A/C Label. 1.158 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeND-8
Oil Capacity3.70 oz
RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.16 lbs
Oil GroupPAG

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque25.0 ft-lbs
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 107.0 ft-lbs; Rear: 56.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor TorqueFront: 6.0; Rear: 6.0
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.260; Rear: .551
Variation from Parallelism Thickness VariationFront: .0002; Rear: .0003
Maximum Rotor RunoutFront: .0014; Rear: .002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
117.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 17.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 52.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: 84.0 inch lbs.17 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
144.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 132.044 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 60°, Step 3: ±6°22 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant at 105,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 105,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level)
Every 11,250 miCabin Air Filter (replace) · Keyless Entry Remote Battery (replace)
Every 15,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Steering Gear Box Assembly (inspect)
At 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
At 105,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 180,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The Infiniti QX50 generation experienced a massive spike in federal complaints in 2019, surging to 131 complaints, 3 recalls, and 1 investigation from a pre-2019 high of just 19 complaints in 2016. The 2020 model year falls directly on the downward slope of this arc, showing a steep decline to 30 complaints while still carrying elevated technical service bulletins (153) alongside 2 recalls and 1 investigation. For the 2020 model specifically, engine-related issues dominate the complaint record with 11 Engine and 4 Engine & Engine Cooling reports, followed by forward collision avoidance concerns; the data does not specify the root causes of these failures, though there are zero reported crash or fire incidents. Although 2021 saw a slight rebound to 39 complaints before a steady decline in later years, the 2020 model remains a notable statistical improvement over the problematic 2019 redesign. Given its position on the downward trend of the generation's complaint arc and its significantly reduced complaint volume, the 2020 QX50 is a solid used buy provided the two recalls have been properly addressed.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
153
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
30
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 30 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine11
Engine & Engine Cooling4
Forward Collision Avoidance2
Service Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance2
Power Train,Engine1
Power Train,Unknown Or Other,Engine1
Unknown Or Other1
Power Train,Electrical System,Engine1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V025000TiresReported 26/01/2021

Nissan North America, Inc. (INFINITI) is recalling certain 2020 INFINITI QX50 vehicles. The text of the Tire and Loading Information placard, including the tire size and loading capacity, may be illegible. As such… Remedy: INFINITI will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the legibility of and, as necessary, replaced the placard, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may…

25V437000Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Hard Parts Internal/MechanicalReported 27/06/2025

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Rogue, 2019-2020 Altima, 2019-2022 Infiniti QX50, and 2022 Infiniti QX55 vehicles equipped with 3-cylinder 1.5L or 4-cylinder 2.0L variable compression… Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the engine control module (ECM) software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed April 8, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 153 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
ITB09-063C2026-04-13StructureCERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
ITB21-021A2025-10-06StructureIF YOU CONFIRM The client states that either the rear hatch is inoperative, or the rear…
ITB23-023A2025-02-20Electrical SystemAEB WARNING LIGHT IS ON WITH WARNING MESSAGES DISPLAYED ON COMBINATION METER APPLIED…
ITB19-024D2024-09-19Air BagsDTC B00A0-00 STOREIF YOU CONFIRM DTC B00A0-00 (OCCUPANT DETECTION SENSOR UNIT) is stored…
ITB22-020B2024-08-15Electrical SystemTELEMATICS CONTROL UNIT RESET AFTER AUTOMATIC COLLISION NOTIFICATION SERVICE INFORMATION…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific QX50. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2020 QX50 take?

5.0 qt of Nissan Ester 5W-30 SN or equivalent SAE 5W-30 GF-5 SN synthetic may be used., per the factory manual.

Does the 2020 QX50 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the QX50 get?

EPA figures are 23 city / 29 highway / 26 combined mpg.