Infiniti Q60 CV37 — Problems & Common Faults
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
The Infiniti Q60 (2017-2022) shares its mechanical bones with the Q50 sedan but sells on styling — this is the coupe buyers pick with their eyes first. The lineup launched in 2017 with a final one-year run of the VQ37VHR naturally-aspirated V6 before the twin-turbo VR30DDTT took over as the volume engine in 3.0t and Red Sport 400 form.
The VQ37VHR was only offered as the base Q60 3.7 for the 2017 model year — a smooth, high-revving engine without turbo lag, carrying the same oil gallery gasket check (P0011/P0021 codes) as its only real mechanical risk. It's the least dramatic Q60 to own, but also the rarest, meaning thinner parts availability and less accumulated ownership history to lean on.
Most Q60s run the VR30DDTT — 300 hp in 3.0t trim, 400 hp in Red Sport 400 form. The risks track the Q50 exactly: an oil pressure control solenoid that can fail silently, early blocks with documented porosity issues, and turbo center bearing seal leaks concentrated in 2017-2018 production — Infiniti extended the emissions warranty to 120,000 miles on affected cars. Red Sport 400 owners feel this risk harder, since 400 hp gets driven near its limits more often, which is exactly where oil pressure problems show up first. The 2017 model year carried its own separate recall: a software error in the fuel pump control module (FPCM) could prevent fuel from transferring out of the reserve tank, stalling the engine mid-drive (NHTSA campaign 17V476, free software fix).
Two coupe-specific issues don't show up on the sedan: headlights that draw moisture in through their vent openings and fog internally — persistent condensation risks shorting the LED ballast, and Infiniti issued a TSB covering vent inspection. And the trunk lid: gas struts lose pressure over time and stop holding the lid open, a roughly $80-250 pair replacement fixes it for good. Shared with the Q50: an InTouch system prone to freezing and a forward emergency braking system that intervenes with nothing in front of the car — the Q60 is specifically named in the ongoing phantom-braking litigation against Nissan/Infiniti.
Test-drive checklist: With the engine running, check the headlight lenses from outside for internal moisture fogging, especially after rain or a car wash. Scan for P0011/P0021 on VQ37 cars or check live oil pressure on VR30 cars. Open the trunk lid and let go — if it sags, the struts are due. On the highway, briefly engage the forward-emergency-braking system passing under an overpass and watch for false alarms.
2026 market: 2017 cars (VQ37 or early VR30) start around $16,000 but carry the most first-year issues. 2019-2022 3.0t models, from $20,000-25,000, represent the most sorted phase of the run. Red Sport 400s mostly sit above $25,000.
Insider pick: a 2020-or-newer 3.0t — most of the early turbo seal problems are behind the platform by this point, the electronics are more mature, and the styling hasn't aged a day since launch.
400 PS
Q60 Red Sport 400 · Benzin
Q60 Red Sport 400 — 400 hp coupe, the Infiniti statement car
Legendary!405 PS
3.0L Twin-Turbo V6 Benzin
10 weaknesses
Stay Away!Engine Overview
The Infiniti Q60 CV37 is available with 4 engine variants — from 208 to 400 hp.
Evolved four-cylinder turbo with direct injection and piezo injectors. Significantly less prone to timing chain problems than the M271, but not immune. Electric thermostat tends to fail early — always replace as complete OEM unit. Early DE20 LA units (2015–2016) have a piston pin manufacturing tolerance issue — short block replacement required if symptom arises. Camshaft solenoids (Y49/1, Y49/2, pre-2014) prone to leaks. Oil changes every 10,000 km with MB 229.5 recommended.
- !! High-Pressure Pump Faulty or Noisy from 120,000 km
The high-pressure fuel pump on the M274 is driven by a lobe on the intake camshaft. Wear on the drive lobe or pump follower leads to pressure drop.
Symptoms: Metallic ticking from engine area, starting problems or extended cranking, power loss, fault code P0087 - !! Camshaft Adjuster Leaks — Oil in Wiring Harness from 100,000 km
On the M274 too, the camshaft adjuster solenoids develop leaks. Oil penetrates the wiring harness by capillary action and can damage the engine ECU.
Symptoms: Fault code P0010, CEL, oil traces at camshaft connectors, lambda sensor failure, in severe cases ECU failure - !! Piston Pin Knock (2015–2016 units) from 60,000 km
Early M274 DE20 LA units (2015–2016) have a manufacturing tolerance issue with excessive piston pin clearance. Blue smoke and oil consumption up to requiring short-block replacement.
Symptoms: Metallic knocking from engine block, blue-grey exhaust smoke, increased oil consumption
+ 4 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
3.0L twin-turbo V6 — technically impressive but with documented reliability concerns. Oil pressure control solenoid can fail silently, causing bearing damage without any warning light. Turbos prone to seal failures from 60,000 miles. Porous block is a documented factory defect causing internal coolant loss at 70,000+ miles. Oil changes every 5,000 miles are a hard requirement, not a suggestion. Maintain it with discipline and you get strong, even boost-fed pull — the fundamentals are sound, the care makes the difference.
- !! Oil pressure solenoid failure — bearing damage without warning from 80,000 km
The oil pressure control solenoid can fail and prevent the engine from ever exceeding 30 psi oil pressure. The ECU does not log a fault code until oil pressure drops below 5 psi. Result: sudden bearing or engine failure without warning. Experienced technicians attribute 95% of VR30 bearing failures to this solenoid failing silently.
Symptoms: Sudden red oil pressure warning light followed immediately by engine failure — no prior warning codes - !! Turbocharger seal failure from 60,000 km
Turbocharger seals and bearings can fail from 60,000 miles. No blow-off valve system increases backpressure through the intercoolers. Dealers report replacing multiple turbos per week on twin-turbo models under warranty.
Symptoms: Whistling or whirring noise that grows louder, oil loss, blue exhaust smoke, power drop - !! Porous engine block — internal coolant loss from 128,000 km
Coolant leaks internally into the oil circuit — often from porous block areas near the exhaust valves, though diagnostics show cracked cylinder heads can cause the identical symptom. Out-of-warranty replacement runs $20,000–25,000.
Symptoms: Dropping coolant level with no visible external leak, sweet exhaust smell, white exhaust smoke
+ 7 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
3.7L V6 with VVEL variable valve lift — a cultured, high-revving unit with a redline around 7,500 rpm and that classic VQ sound. Oil gallery gaskets behind the timing chain cover are the critical weak point: when they fail, oil pressure drops with no external leak visible. Pre-purchase inspection: always check for P0011/P0021 codes. ESCL steering lock issues on early 2009–2012 builds. Otherwise a rev-happy, characterful naturally aspirated engine that rewards clean oil care.
- !! Paper oil gallery gasket at the timing cover fails from 80,000 km
Through roughly 2012–2013, Nissan used a paper gasket sealing the oil gallery behind the rear timing chain cover. It can deteriorate and blow out, causing oil pressure loss with no visible external leak.
Symptoms: Low oil pressure at idle, P0011 or P0021 fault codes, increased VTC/camshaft rattle. - !! Electronic Steering Column Lock (ESCL) jams from 96,000 km
On early model years the electronic steering column lock (ESCL) module can jam, cutting off all electrical power to the car. Infiniti never issued a recall or extended warranty for this part.
Symptoms: Vehicle will not start, steering wheel stays locked, complete electrical shutdown. - !! Internal clutch slave cylinder (CSC) fails from 50,000 km
The concentric slave cylinder built into the transmission can fail as its internal seals wear out. Clutch hydraulic pressure is lost and the clutch can no longer be actuated.
Symptoms: Clutch pedal goes soft or drops to the floor, clutch no longer engages, gears become hard or impossible to select.
+ 9 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
3.0L twin-turbo V6 — technically impressive but with documented reliability concerns. Oil pressure control solenoid can fail silently, causing bearing damage without any warning light. Turbos prone to seal failures from 60,000 miles. Porous block is a documented factory defect causing internal coolant loss at 70,000+ miles. Oil changes every 5,000 miles are a hard requirement, not a suggestion. Maintain it with discipline and you get strong, even boost-fed pull — the fundamentals are sound, the care makes the difference.
- !! Oil pressure solenoid failure — bearing damage without warning from 80,000 km
The oil pressure control solenoid can fail and prevent the engine from ever exceeding 30 psi oil pressure. The ECU does not log a fault code until oil pressure drops below 5 psi. Result: sudden bearing or engine failure without warning. Experienced technicians attribute 95% of VR30 bearing failures to this solenoid failing silently.
Symptoms: Sudden red oil pressure warning light followed immediately by engine failure — no prior warning codes - !! Turbocharger seal failure from 60,000 km
Turbocharger seals and bearings can fail from 60,000 miles. No blow-off valve system increases backpressure through the intercoolers. Dealers report replacing multiple turbos per week on twin-turbo models under warranty.
Symptoms: Whistling or whirring noise that grows louder, oil loss, blue exhaust smoke, power drop - !! Porous engine block — internal coolant loss from 128,000 km
Coolant leaks internally into the oil circuit — often from porous block areas near the exhaust valves, though diagnostics show cracked cylinder heads can cause the identical symptom. Out-of-warranty replacement runs $20,000–25,000.
Symptoms: Dropping coolant level with no visible external leak, sweet exhaust smell, white exhaust smoke
+ 7 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Brake rotor thickness variation Brake rotors develop thickness variation from pad compound deposits. Active Trace Control increases braking wear. Rear pads can wear faster than fronts on the Q60. Symptoms: Vibration in brake pedal or steering wheel when braking, uneven pad wear from 30,000 km | Medium |
Top Reported Issues
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Known Problems and Issues +
A total of 35 weaknesses have been documented for the Infiniti Q60 CV37 (2017–2022) — 29 engine-related and 6 vehicle-related. One problem engine: VR30DDTT (3.0L Twin-Turbo V6). Typical issues affect Brakes, Electronics, Body, Other.
Q60 (VR30DDTT, 2017–2022) — Stay Away!: Oil pressure solenoid failure — bearing damage without warning, Turbocharger seal failure, Porous engine block — internal coolant loss. Power: 300 PS.
Q60 (VR30DDTT, 2017–2022) — Stay Away!: Oil pressure solenoid failure — bearing damage without warning, Turbocharger seal failure, Porous engine block — internal coolant loss. Power: 405 PS.
Q60 (M274, 2017–2018) — Be Careful: High-Pressure Pump Faulty or Noisy, Camshaft Adjuster Leaks — Oil in Wiring Harness, Piston Pin Knock (2015–2016 units). Power: 211 PS.
What to watch out for with the Infiniti Q60? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
What problems and weaknesses does the Infiniti Q60 CV37 have? +
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Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee