BeforeYouBuyAuto

Free used car buyer guide / L50 / 2014-2020

Infiniti QX60 common problems and best years

By BYBA Research - how we score cars

Updated 2026-06-12

BYBA Buy Score

6.2/10

Buy with checks

2 walk-away risks, 4 serious faults, 2 minor faults documented for this generation, weighted by severity and repair cost. Biggest factor: cvt judder with p17f0 / p17f1. Score methodology.

The 2014-2020 QX60 is roomy, comfortable and cheap for a reason: the CVT decides whether it is a value buy or a financial trap. The expensive traps are P17F0/P17F1 CVT judder, full CVT replacement after shudder/slip, clogged sunroof drains and wet footwells, cooling-fan/AC overheating chains, and ageing electronics or liftgate faults. The safest buy is a 2018-2020 AWD with documented CVT fluid service, no judder codes, clean roof drains, and no tow-heavy history. Current owners should service CVT fluid conservatively and treat the first shudder/whine as a diagnostic event, not something to drive through.

Faults covered

8

Highest risk

CVT judder with P17F0 /

Best years

2018-2020

Best buys

  • 2018-2020 QX60 with CVT fluid service every 30k-40k miles and clean scan.
  • 2017-2020 AWD only if tight-turns are smooth and tires match.
  • Lower-mileage one-owner cars with dealer CVT records and no tow history.

Inspect hard

  • 2014-2016 for P17F0/P17F1 judder history and warranty/settlement work.
  • Any panoramic-roof car for wet carpets and drain history.
  • Cars with poor AC for fan, compressor and overheating chain faults.

Avoid

  • CVT whine, slip, judder, P17F0/P17F1, or "needs valve body" seller stories.
  • QX60 used for regular towing without frequent CVT fluid changes.
  • Damp interior, mould smell, or unexplained electrical faults.

Next checks

Before you contact the seller

Check the car's history first. Then bring the right tools if it still looks worth viewing.

Primary next step

Check history, title, and recall status

The faults above matter more if the car also has accident history, finance flags, missing service records, or open safety recalls.

carVerticalPaid history report - EU/UK fitVinAuditPaid history report - US fitNHTSA recallsFree recall lookup

Viewing kit

Bring the right tools

Four cheap tools catch most of the faults on this page at a Infiniti QX60 viewing.

Bluetooth OBD2 scannerRead fault-code history before trusting a clear dashboard.Paint thickness gaugeSpots resprays and hidden accident repair in seconds.Brake fluid testerHigh moisture means neglected maintenance everywhere else too.LED inspection lightEngine bay, sills, and underbody never lie under real light.

Printable workflow

Take the inspection pack

The PDF is the ordered checklist for the viewing: documents, walk-around, test drive, and scan.

Open PDF option

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Engines and trims

Which Infiniti QX60 should you buy?

On most used cars, the engine and trim choice changes the risk more than the mileage does. Narrow this down before you start viewing cars.

VQ35DE 3.5 V6 with Jatco CVT

2014-2020

BUY ONLY AFTER CVT SCAN

The engine is usually not the problem. The Jatco CVT is the ownership risk, and the car's price must reflect fluid history, scan results and road-test behaviour.

AWD VQ35DE CVT

2014-2020

USEFUL BUT MORE TO CHECK

AWD suits family use, but tire mismatch and neglected transfer/rear components add stress. The CVT check still comes first; AWD does not save a slipping transmission.

Hybrid 2.5 supercharged four-cylinder

2014-2017 limited supply

RARE AND SPECIALIST ONLY

The hybrid is uncommon and can be hard to support. Buy only with hybrid-system scan data, cooling-system proof and a specialist who actually wants to work on it.

Year notes

Year-by-year buyer advice

Use this to narrow the search before you spend time travelling to view a car.

2014

QX60 name replaces JX35; early CVT judder complaints are central.

Buyer: Highest caution year; buy only with clean scan and strong CVT history.

Owner: Service CVT fluid and scan before symptoms get expensive.

2015

Same L50 platform; CVT complaints and P17F code stories continue.

Buyer: Do not accept "they all do that" for shudder or whine.

Owner: Keep dealership CVT records because resale depends on them.

2016

Mid-cycle updates by market; CVT still defines the car.

Buyer: Better only if the individual transmission is proven.

Owner: Preventive fluid service is the cheapest CVT risk control.

2017

Later bulletin population still includes 2017 V6 cars.

Buyer: Scan for P17F0/P17F1 even if mileage is modest.

Owner: Diagnose early whine or surge immediately.

2018

Later production; used values improve but CVT design remains.

Buyer: Better target when serviced, not automatically safe.

Owner: Keep tire sizes matched on AWD and avoid overheating.

2019

Mature L50 year with many family-use examples.

Buyer: Good buy only with clean transmission behaviour and dry interior.

Owner: Sunroof drains and CVT fluid are the two cheap protections.

2020

Final L50 year before redesign.

Buyer: Best year to target, but a bad CVT still cancels the advantage.

Owner: Maintain CVT evidence because buyers know the next-gen dropped this transmission.

Common problems

Faults to check before buying

What fails, what it looks like, what it costs, and the quick checks you can do at the viewing - ranked by how badly each one can hurt you.

Fault 1

CVT judder with P17F0 / P17F1

WALK AWAY / $$$

Affects

2014-2017 QX60 V6 specifically in Infiniti bulletin; inspect all 2014-2020.

Symptoms

Shudder, surge, bumps, vibration, whine, stored P17F0 or P17F1.

Typical repair cost

USD 150-350 diagnosis; USD 4,500-7,500+ CVT replacement.

Codes / scan clues

P17F0, P17F1.

Root cause: CVT belt/pulley wear or control deterioration causing judder.

Quick check

  • Scan TCM with Infiniti-capable tool for P17F0/P17F1 and history.
  • Warm road test at steady 30-50 mph and under hill load.
  • Listen for high-pitched whine during acceleration and deceleration.
  • Ask for CVT replacement or fluid service invoices.

Buyer note

This is the QX60 deal-breaker fault.

Owner note

Judder plus P17F code needs immediate professional diagnosis.

Fault 2

CVT slip, delayed engagement or replacement history

WALK AWAY / $$$

Affects

2014-2020 QX60 V6 CVT.

Symptoms

Delayed Drive/Reverse, slipping, flare, whine, overheating, replacement quote.

Typical repair cost

USD 4,500-8,000 replacement; USD 900-2,500 valve body/control work if suitable.

Codes / scan clues

P17F0, P17F1, ratio and pressure faults.

Root cause: CVT belt, pulley, valve body, fluid heat or internal wear.

Quick check

  • Cold Drive/Reverse engagement test.
  • Highway merge and hill acceleration.
  • Check CVT fluid service intervals.
  • Reject "just needs fluid" claims if slipping is present.

Buyer note

Replacement history is only good if the replacement has mileage and warranty proof.

Owner note

Service fluid before symptoms, not after slipping starts.

Fault 3

CVT overheating from towing, heat or neglected fluid

SERIOUS / $$

Affects

2014-2020 QX60, especially tow-used and hot-climate cars.

Symptoms

Limp mode, hot smell, whine after highway driving, fluid deterioration, tow hitch.

Typical repair cost

USD 250-600 fluid/service; USD 1,000-2,500 cooler/valve work; USD 5,000+ CVT.

Codes / scan clues

CVT temperature and pressure faults.

Root cause: CVT heat accelerates fluid and belt/pulley wear.

Quick check

  • Look for tow hitch/wiring and ask what was towed.
  • Inspect CVT service interval and fluid type.
  • Road test long enough to heat the transmission.
  • Scan for temperature history where available.

Buyer note

A family SUV used like a truck needs a much stronger service file.

Owner note

Conservative CVT fluid changes are cheaper than a hot CVT.

Fault 4

Sunroof drain leaks and wet interior electronics

SERIOUS / $$

Affects

2014-2020 QX60 with panoramic roof.

Symptoms

Wet footwell, musty smell, stained headliner, battery drain, module faults.

Typical repair cost

USD 150-500 drain service; USD 1,000-4,000+ module/harness repair.

Codes / scan clues

Body, restraint, low-voltage and network communication faults.

Root cause: Blocked or detached roof drains route water into cabin/electronics areas.

Quick check

  • Smell cabin before HVAC runs.
  • Lift mats and inspect front/rear footwells.
  • Check headliner corners and A-pillars for staining.
  • Scan body modules for low-voltage/water-related history.

Buyer note

A wet QX60 is not just a detailing problem.

Owner note

Clean drains annually and dry leaks immediately.

Fault 5

Cooling fan failure leading to AC and overheating complaints

SERIOUS / $$

Affects

2014-2020 QX60.

Symptoms

AC warm at idle, engine temperature rise, fan noise, compressor overheating.

Typical repair cost

USD 500-1,200 fan assembly; USD 1,500-3,000+ if compressor is damaged.

Codes / scan clues

Cooling fan, AC pressure and temperature faults may appear.

Root cause: Fan motor/module failure reduces condenser and radiator airflow.

Quick check

  • Test AC at idle for 10 minutes.
  • Confirm both fans run with AC on.
  • Watch coolant temperature in traffic.
  • Listen for fan bearing howl or no fan operation.

Buyer note

Weak AC can be the first sign of a cooling problem, not just refrigerant.

Owner note

Fix fans before the compressor and CVT heat suffer.

Fault 6

Front control arms, struts and suspension clunks

LOW / $$

Affects

2014-2020 QX60, especially high-mileage family-use cars.

Symptoms

Front clunk, wandering, uneven tires, vibration, failed alignment.

Typical repair cost

USD 600-1,500 control arms/struts; USD 1,500-2,500+ full front refresh.

Codes / scan clues

None.

Root cause: Heavy crossover weight wears bushings, ball joints and struts.

Quick check

  • Drive rough road at low speed.
  • Brake firmly and listen for front knock.
  • Inspect tires for inner-edge wear.
  • Check control-arm bushings and strut leaks.

Buyer note

Suspension wear is negotiable; it should not be confused with CVT vibration.

Owner note

Fix clunks before tires and alignment costs stack up.

Fault 7

Liftgate actuator, camera and rear electrical faults

LOW / $$

Affects

2014-2020 QX60.

Symptoms

Liftgate won't open/close, camera intermittent, rear sensors fail, hatch water/rattle.

Typical repair cost

USD 300-900 actuator/camera; USD 1,000-2,500+ harness/module diagnosis.

Codes / scan clues

Body control and parking/camera communication faults.

Root cause: Ageing actuator, wiring flex, water ingress or camera/module failure.

Quick check

  • Cycle liftgate from key, dash and hatch buttons.
  • Test camera and parking sensors repeatedly.
  • Inspect hatch wiring boots and spare well for water.
  • Scan BCM/rear modules.

Buyer note

Rear electrical faults matter on a family SUV used daily.

Owner note

Fix water and wiring issues before the BCM gets blamed.

Fault 8

AWD transfer/rear coupling stress from tire mismatch

SERIOUS / $$

Affects

AWD QX60 2014-2020.

Symptoms

Binding in turns, AWD warning, vibration, uneven tire wear, drivetrain noise.

Typical repair cost

USD 200-900 tires/service/diagnosis; USD 1,500-4,000+ transfer or rear coupling repair.

Codes / scan clues

AWD system manufacturer faults.

Root cause: Tire circumference mismatch and neglected driveline service overload AWD components.

Quick check

  • Verify all four tires match brand, size and tread depth.
  • Slow full-lock circles in both directions.
  • Scan AWD module.
  • Inspect transfer/rear unit for leaks or noise.

Buyer note

AWD is useful only when the tire and driveline history is disciplined.

Owner note

Replace tires as a set and keep pressures matched.

Inspection pack

Printable checklist for the viewing

The free page helps you decide whether the car is worth seeing. The paid guide is the ordered, printable checklist you use at the car.

  • Infiniti-capable TCM scan for P17F0/P17F1 and CVT history.
  • Full warm road test including hill load, steady cruise and highway merge.
  • CVT fluid service proof, ideally every 30k-40k miles.
  • Check for tow hitch and heat/towing history.
  • Sunroof drain, headliner, carpet and spare-well moisture inspection.
  • AC idle test with fan operation confirmed.
  • Suspension clunk and tire wear inspection.
  • AWD tire-match and tight-turn binding test.

Bottom line

Buy: 2018-2020 with clean CVT scan, fluid history and dry cabin. AWD only with matching tires and smooth tight-turn behaviour.

Avoid: Any P17F0/P17F1, whine, slip or "CVT just needs service" seller claim. Tow-used cars without frequent CVT fluid records. Wet interior or electrical faults after sunroof leaks.

Quick answers

Infiniti QX60 buyer questions

The short versions of what this page answers in full.

What are the most common Infiniti QX60 2014-2020 problems?

The highest-impact documented faults are: CVT judder with P17F0 / P17F1; CVT slip, delayed engagement or replacement history; CVT overheating from towing, heat or neglected fluid. This guide covers 8 faults in total, each with symptoms, typical repair costs, and checks you can do at a viewing.

Which Infiniti QX60 years are the best to buy?

2018-2020 stand out in this generation. 2018-2020 with clean CVT scan, fluid history and dry cabin. AWD only with matching tires and smooth tight-turn behaviour.

Which Infiniti QX60 should I avoid?

Any P17F0/P17F1, whine, slip or "CVT just needs service" seller claim. Tow-used cars without frequent CVT fluid records. Wet interior or electrical faults after sunroof leaks.

Is the Infiniti QX60 2014-2020 a reliable used buy?

BYBA scores it 6.2/10 (buy with checks). 2 walk-away risks, 4 serious faults, 2 minor faults documented for this generation, weighted by severity and repair cost. Biggest factor: cvt judder with p17f0 / p17f1.

Get updates when this guide changes

Recalls get added, repair costs shift, and new fault patterns show up in the data. Leave an email and we'll tell you when the Infiniti QX60 guide gets a meaningful revision. Nothing else, no selling your address.

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