Pre-purchase inspection checklist — 2015 Infiniti Q50
The 2015 Infiniti Q50 is a well-rounded vehicle but has notable issues such as driveshaft fatigue, steering responsiveness, and airbag sensor faults. Keep an eye on these specific recall concerns when buying used.
Known issues to inspect
Driveshaft might break
How to check: Inspect driveshaft for visible wear or cracks.
Adaptive steering error
How to check: Test the steering responsiveness during startup.
Airbag sensor fault
How to check: Verify airbag light turns off shortly after start.
Test-drive walkthrough
- 01
Startup
What to check: Check for alert lights on dashboard.
Red flag: Any persistent warning lights
- 02
First mile
What to check: Test steering responsiveness in turns.
Red flag: Delayed or inconsistent steering
- 03
Idling
What to check: Listen for unusual engine noises.
Red flag: Knocking or grinding sounds
- 04
Acceleration
What to check: Observe smoothness during gear changes.
Red flag: Jerky or delayed shifting
- 05
Braking
What to check: Ensure brakes engage smoothly without noise.
Red flag: Squealing or grinding brakes
- 06
Full stop
What to check: Check vehicle stability and steering wheel alignment.
Red flag: Vehicle pulls to one side
Questions for the seller
Use this exact phrasing.
- Has the driveshaft been inspected?
- Any previous steering system repairs?
- Airbag sensor issues resolved?
- Have all recalls been addressed?
- When was the last service conducted?
Documents to request
Don't sign anything until you have these.
- Repair and service records
- Recall completion paperwork
- Vehicle history report
- Title and registration
- Warranty information
Generated by gpt-4o on 8/20/2026. Grounded in the NHTSA recall corpus and owner-complaint patterns for the 2015 Infiniti Q50.