About Infiniti
Infiniti is Nissan's luxury division, and CheckMyVIN decodes every US-market Infiniti: model line (Q50, Q60, QX50, QX55, QX60, QX80, plus the older G, M, FX, and EX series), engine family, drive type, assembly plant (Tochigi in Japan, Smyrna in Tennessee for the QX60), model year, and any open NHTSA recall — all pulled live from the official NHTSA VPIC database.
Founded 1989 and headquartered in Yokohama, Japan (Nissan), Infiniti vehicles register their VIN data with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). When you enter an Infiniti VIN above, CheckMyVIN queries the NHTSA VPIC database directly — pulling the same federally certified specs that the manufacturer reported when the vehicle was sold.
Infiniti uses several WMI codes (JN1, JN8, 5N1) depending on plant and model line — see the full Infiniti VIN Decoder for the complete table and a per-position walkthrough.
Where to find your Infiniti VIN
- Driver-side dashboard, near windshieldStand outside the vehicle on the driver's side and look at the corner of the dashboard where it meets the windshield. The 17-character VIN is engraved on a metal plate visible through the glass.
- Driver's door jamb stickerOpen the driver's door and look at the door jamb (the frame the door closes against). A federal certification label lists the VIN, tire pressures, and gross vehicle weight rating.
- Vehicle title, registration & insurance cardThe VIN appears on the title, current registration, and insurance documents. If buying used, cross-check the VIN on the car against every document — any mismatch is a major red flag.
What CheckMyVIN shows for Infiniti
Every Infiniti report includes the decoded specifications (engine, drive type, transmission, plant, body class), every open recall NHTSA has on file for the year/model/make combination, an AI-written plain-English summary, and the maintenance specs CheckMyVIN can confidently match by engine code. Tire sizes vary by trim and are always marked "Varies by trim — check door-jamb label" rather than guessed.
Common Infiniti issues to check before buying
Brand-specific known issues — useful as a pre-purchase inspection checklist. CheckMyVIN does not flag these per VIN; verify against service history.
VQ37 / VQ35 timing-chain tensioner & oil consumption
G37 / Q50 / Q60 / QX70 and others with the VQ V6 (higher mileage)
The VQ-series V6 is durable but high-mileage examples can develop timing-chain tensioner/guide rattle and some oil consumption. Listen for a cold-start rattle that fades, check oil level and condition, and confirm oil changes were done on time — neglected VQ engines burn more oil. The chain itself is robust when the engine was maintained.
VR30DDTT 3.0L twin-turbo cooling & turbo concerns
2016+ Q50 / Q60 Red Sport 400 and 3.0t with the VR30 twin-turbo
The VR30 twin-turbo is strong but runs hot; some owners report coolant/oil cooler concerns and the usual turbo-engine sensitivity to oil quality and change intervals. Confirm a documented oil-service history with the correct spec, check for leaks, and verify the fuel-pump-software recall (17V476000) was completed on affected Q50/Q60 cars.
Direct Adaptive Steering (steer-by-wire) quirks
2014+ Q50 / Q60 equipped with Direct Adaptive Steering
Infiniti's steer-by-wire Direct Adaptive Steering can feel artificial and has had software updates to improve feel and fault handling. On a test drive confirm the steering behaves normally with no warning lights; a car with the conventional hydraulic/electric rack (lower trims) avoids the system entirely if you prefer.
Infotainment (InTouch dual-screen) lag & Bluetooth
2014+ Q50 / Q60 / QX60 with the InTouch dual-screen system
The older InTouch dual-screen infotainment can be slow to respond and has had Bluetooth/connectivity complaints; map updates are dealer-/subscription-based. Exercise both screens on a test drive and check for the latest software. Newer single-screen systems are more responsive.
Infiniti buyer's notes
Infinitis are generally durable, but check a few things on a used one. On VQ V6 cars (G37/Q50/Q60/QX70), listen for timing-chain rattle and check oil consumption and service history; on VR30 twin-turbo Red Sport / 3.0t cars, confirm meticulous oil service and verify the fuel-pump-software recall (17V476000) is closed. On 2017 Q50, confirm the driver airbag-inflator recall (17V571000) is closed. Test Direct Adaptive Steering (if fitted) and exercise the InTouch infotainment. Remember the 2014 naming change (G37 → Q50, FX → QX70, JX → QX60) is cosmetic — decode the VIN to confirm the exact model, engine, drive type, and plant before negotiating. An Infiniti retailer can pull the full service history from the VIN through Nissan's dealer system.
Frequently asked questions
Which Infiniti models does CheckMyVIN decode?
Every US-market Infiniti in NHTSA VPIC: the Q50 and Q60, the QX50, QX55, QX60, and QX80 SUVs, and older models under the previous naming (G35 / G37, M35 / M37 / Q70, FX35 / FX45 / QX70, EX, JX, I30 / I35, Q45). Enter any 17-character Infiniti VIN and the report returns model, trim, engine, plant, year, and recalls.
Why did Infiniti rename the G37 to Q50, FX to QX70, etc.?
In 2014 Infiniti switched to a unified naming scheme: cars became "Q" (G sedan → Q50, M → Q70) and SUVs became "QX" (FX → QX70, JX → QX60, EX → QX50). The vehicles are the same lineage — only the names changed. VPIC returns whatever model name was current for that VIN's model year, so a 2013 is "G37" and a 2014+ is "Q50".
Where is the Infiniti VIN located?
Driver-side dash at the base of the windshield (visible from outside), the driver door-jamb certification sticker, and on the title / registration. The InTouch / Infiniti app also shows the VIN under vehicle details.
Is Infiniti the same as Nissan?
Infiniti is Nissan's premium brand (launched 1989). They share engines (the VQ V6 family) and platforms, but each is a separate Make in NHTSA VPIC — an Infiniti VIN returns Make = INFINITI. Most Infinitis are built in Japan; the QX60 is built in Smyrna, Tennessee.
Does this work for older Infinitis (G35, G37, FX, M)?
Any 17-character Infiniti VIN (1989 onward) decodes through NHTSA VPIC — G35 / G37, FX35 / FX45, M35 / M45, EX, the original Q45, and the I30 / I35. The model name returned reflects the year (pre-2014 names vs the Q/QX scheme).
How do I check Infiniti recalls?
CheckMyVIN queries the NHTSA recall API live on every report. Notable Infiniti campaigns include a Q50/Q60 fuel-pump-software recall and a Q50 driver airbag-inflator recall. See the Infiniti recall page for worked examples, then run your VIN.
Are Infinitis expensive to maintain?
Infinitis are generally durable (the VQ V6 is a proven engine) but premium parts and the twin-turbo VR30 add cost out of warranty. The buyer notes below cover the model/engine-specific items to check.