2016 Infiniti Q50 Steering

On 12/11/21 my vehicle had limited turning (left or right) capability. The vehicle has < than 23K miles, was purchased at Bommarito Infiniti, and has been serviced at the same dealership since I purchased it. I bought the vehicle new and drove it over the last 5 years as a back-up vehicle to a Chevy Cruze (w/greater than 180K miles on it and no faulty parts). I did not purchase the extended warranty because it was supposedly a reliable vehicle, based on my prior history/ownership of a 2006 G50. I made timely payments for 5 years, performed all of the required maintenance, and took my car in for all of the Infiniti “recalls.” After the ability to turn failed, I took the vehicle to Bommarito Infiniti for a diagnostic and routine oil change. The steering diagnostic found 3 leaks on the steering rack and pinion., (no oil was visible on the ground). I did not have any warning lights for low steering fluid or service required indicators, but the dealership stated the power steering fluid was low. I contacted Infiniti Consumer Affairs department for review of the faulty part, considering that I had less than 23k miles on the vehicle. Stewart at Infiniti Consumer Affairs stated that the claim for repair assistance was denied due to the vehicle being out of warranty and the "lack of service history" with Bommarito Infiniti. When I questioned him about defining/explaining what he meant by the lack of history, he could not explain his statement. He placed me on hold, and then returned only to reiterate his previous statement. I then informed him and verified with the dealership that I did not deny any required repair or service that was recommended/required. The dealership also stated that the rack and pinion that was installed on my Q50 had to be a faulty part because this is the 1st time that a 2016 Q50 with less than 36k miles has ever needed this part replaced. This is a safety issue and a crash waiting to happen!

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 INFINITI Q50. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED TO THE LEFT INDEPENDENTLY, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT REGAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE ENGINE FAILURE WARNING LIGHT BEING ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO INFINITI OF ONTARIO LOCATED AT 2192 INLAND EMPIRE BLVD, ONTARIO, CA 91764, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE STEERING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE AND A CASE WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,694. *LN*JB

THERE IS A DANGEROUS DESIGN/ENGINEERING FLAW IN THE INFINITI STEER-BY-WIRE SYSTEM AND INFINITI REFUSES TO EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE IT. THE CAR IS INCAPABLE OF DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE, IS CONSTANTLY DRIFTING TO EITHER THE RIGHT OR TO THE LEFT AND REQUIRES A STEERING ADJUSTMENT EVERY FEW SECONDS. ON A LONG DRIVE, ON A HWY, THIS IS NOT ONLY FATIGUING IN THE ARMS BUT FATIGUING MENTALLY, AS WELL, AS THE DRIVER CAN NEVER RELAX. I'VE HAD THE CAR TO THE DEALER 4X AND WHILE THE SERVICE PEOPLE HAVE PRIVATELY ADMITTED TO ME THAT THE PROBLEM EXISTS, THEIR CONSUMER AFFAIRS PEOPLE (CUSTOMER SERVICE) CLAIM THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AND IS PERFORMING CORRECTLY WITHIN ITS DESIGN PARAMETERS. MOST PEOPLE DON'T NOTICE IT AND EVEN I DIDN'T NOTICE IT UNTIL I HIT A STRAIGHT-AWAY ON AN INTERSTATE HWY. THE DEALER DID A WHEEL ALIGNMENT, JUST TO SEE IF IT WOULD HELP BUT IT DID NOT. THE SERVICE MANAGER ACKNOWLEDGED THAT I AM NOT THE FIRST PERSON WHO HAS NOTICED THE PROBLEM BUT THEY CAN'T HELP ANYBODY BECAUSE INFINITI WON'T EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM EXISTS, SO THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE FIXED. I TOOK THE SERVICE MANAGER FOR A RIDE AND PROVED TO HIM THE CAR DRIFTS. HE WAS AMAZED. THE DANGER COMES IN THE MENTAL AND PHYSICAL FATIGUE, PLUS WHILE IN THE PERFECT WORLD WE NEVER GIVE ANYTHING BUT 100% PERFECT CONCENTRATION TO OUR DRIVING, WE CAN'T HELP IT...SOMETIMES OUR MIND WANDERS OR WE'RE DISTRACTED. DOING THAT IN A CAR THAT WILL NOT DRIVE IN A STRAIGHT LINE IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, AS THE CAR CAN VEER OFF VERY QUICKLY. THIS IS THE FIRST COMPLAINT LIKE THIS I HAVE EVER FILED. IN FACT, THIS IS MY 4TH INFINITI AND UNTIL NOW, THEY ALL HAD PERFECT STEERING BUT NOW I'M STUCK WITH A 3 YEAR LEASE IN A DANGEROUS STEER-BY-WIRE CAR. AT THE VERY LEAST, THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AND THE INVESTIGATOR SHOULD NOT BE SWAYED BY INFINITI TELLING THEM THE CAR MEETS ITS DESIGN PARAMETERS. *TR