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2021 Infiniti QX50

Gas

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
2 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-10-26

Safety Signal

78 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record

Recalls1 critical 2

Complaints2 crash · 4 injured reported 41

Crash ratingNHTSA overall 5★

Fuel economybest combined, EPA 26 mpg

2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2017 2016

The 2021 Infiniti QX50 is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact SUV with 2 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the QX50, is EPA-rated at 26 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year, 1 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of C. Owners have filed 41 complaints, most often about the engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Infiniti QX50 — photograph via Wikimedia Commons — Infiniti QX50 · Photo: Kevauto · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov

Configuration	Powertrain	Drive	Engine / motor	City	Hwy	Comb	Annual fuel*
QX50	Gas	FWD	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	23	29	26	$3,150
QX50 AWD	Gas	AWD	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	22	28	25	$3,300

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 42800, 42803.

Emissions & certification

Source: EPA emission certificates

Configuration	Smog rating	Emission standard	Where it can be sold new	SmartWay
QX50, QX50 AWD	6 / 10	California LEV-III ULEV50 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 50	All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards	—

Certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S.

The smog rating scores tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, 1 (worst) to 10 (best), and is comparable only within a model year. The standard is the federal bin or California tier the configuration was certified to. Both come from the EPA certificate behind the window sticker.

Specifications filed with NHTSA

Source: NHTSA vPIC

Dimensions Exterior

Body style	Sport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV]
Doors	4
GVWR class	Class 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg)

Engine Basics

Displacement

2 L

Fuel Economy

Fuel	Gasoline

Seating

Seat rows	2
Seating capacity	5 seats

Transmission

Drivetrain	4x2
Transmission	Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)

Driver assistance

Standard: Adaptive cruise control, Anti-lock brakes, Automatic emergency braking, Backup camera, Blind-spot monitoring, Electronic stability control, Forward collision warning, Lane departure warning, Lane keeping assist, Pedestrian automatic emergency braking

Filed by the manufacturer with NHTSA under the federal vehicle-identification rule and decoded from the VIN pattern — not a manufacturer press kit, so it describes the configurations we could identify rather than every trim (seen: Autograph, Essential, Luxe, Pure). Figures for the trim you are looking at may differ.

Dimensions & weight

Source: Transport Canada

Length	185.0 in
Width (body, without mirrors)	75.2 in
Height	66.1 in
Wheelbase	110.2 in
Track, front	64.6 in
Track, rear	64.6 in
Curb weight	4,173 lb
Weight distribution, front/rear	59/41

Measured by Transport Canada for its Canadian Vehicle Specifications database, which covers the North American versions of each model — here one configuration: 4-door SUV. Where a range is shown, those versions differ. Width is the body without mirrors, which is why it can read narrower than a brochure figure. Before we used it we checked it against the US manufacturer press kits we hold (27 Sep 2026): wheelbase agreed within 1% on every vehicle we could compare, length on 98%, and the curb weight fell inside the manufacturer's range on 96%. Source dataset. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Licence.

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Recalls (2)

Source: NHTSA recall database

!critical

Engine And Engine Cooling

R25A8/A9 R25B1/B2/D1

443,899 vehicles 69% reported repaired

Problem Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Rogue, 2019-2020 Altima, 2019-2022 Infiniti QX50, and 2022 Infiniti QX55 vehicles equipped with 3-cylinder 1.5L or 4-cylinder 2.0L variable compression turbo (VC-Turbo) engines. The engine bearings may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine failure. Risk Engine failure increases the risk of a crash. A bearing failure may cause a breach in the engine block, allowing hot oil to be discharged, increasing the risk of an engine fire. Fix Dealers will reprogram the engine control module (ECM) software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed April 8, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261 or Infiniti's customer service at 1-800-662-6200. Nissan's numbers for this recall are R25A8/A9 and R25B1/B2.

Filed with NHTSADefect report PDF Owner letter PDF Remedy instructions PDF

NHTSA campaign 25V437000 reported Jun 27, 2025 Nissan North America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

▲high

Steering

14,276 vehicles 95% reported repaired

Problem Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 Nissan Murano, INFINITI QX60, 2021 Nissan GT-R, INFINITI QX50, and Q50 vehicles. The front steering knuckle or rear axle housing may have insufficient strength due to improper heat-treatment. Risk The steering knuckle or rear axle could deform upon impact, such as from hitting a curb, resulting in a loss of steering control, or possible wheel separation. Both of these conditions can increase the risk of a crash. Fix Dealers will inspect and replace the front steering knuckle and rear axle housing, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 26, 2021. Nissan owners may contact customer service at 1-800-867-7669. INFINITI owners may contact customer service at 1-800-662-6200.

Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF Remedy instructions PDF

NHTSA campaign 21V402000 reported May 27, 2021 Nissan North America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

These are vehicle campaigns — the ones the automaker filed against this model. NHTSA also records equipment recalls, filed by a parts maker against a component (a tyre, a child seat, an aftermarket part), and those are not listed here or counted above. nhtsa.gov/recalls shows both for a VIN.

NHTSA defect investigations

Engine — Complete loss of motive power due to engine failure closed

On December 13, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-023 to investigate allegations of engine failures leading to loss of motive power in model year (MY) 2021-2023 Nissan Rogue; MY 2019-2021 Nissan Altima; and MY 2019-2021 Infiniti QX50 vehicles. At that time, ODI had received 6 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ) and multiple early warning reports, with consumers reporting engine knocking noises accompanied by a loss of engine power while driving. The investigation identified bearing failures in certain vehicles equipped with the subject 3-cylinder 1.5L or 4-cylinder 2.0L variable compression turbo (VC-Turbo) engines. ODI also identified early warning reports describin

Opened Dec 13, 2023 · closed Jul 18, 2025 · action PE23023 · the investigation’s page →

Whether any of this applies to one specific QX50

A campaign covers a build range, not a model year, so two identical-looking cars from 2021 can differ. Both of these check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list, free, in about ten seconds. Infiniti publishes its own lookup because federal rule 49 CFR 573.15 requires it to, and to keep it current to within seven days.

NHTSA VIN check →Infiniti’s own VIN lookup →

Hear about a recall before the letter does

The manufacturer’s letter is the last step of a recall: it has up to 60 days after filing to mail owners, at the address on the registration. We email you the day NHTSA posts a recall on the 2021 Infiniti QX50, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database

41complaints filed

2 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 4 injuries · 0 deaths reported

17 per 10,000 built · Infiniti reported 24,055 QX50 built (its Early Warning production report to NHTSA)

Filed per year: 2021: 3 · 2022: 2 · 2023: 2 · 2024: 2 · 2025: 14 · 2026: 18

Most-cited components

Engine 25

Forward Collision Avoidance 9

Electrical System 8

Service Brakes 4

Power Train 4

Unspecified 3

In owners' own words

Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, one per problem area. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed.

I took my vehicle into Roswell Infiniti to repair/replace the engine bearings as instructed on the recall notice and as it has been making noises and I have experienced rough driving. The workers did not repair or replace the bearings.

Engine Jan 19, 2026 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11711840

The contact owns a 2021 Infiniti QX50. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle experienced phantom braking. There was an unknown message displayed on the instrument panel. The failure had occurred twice.

Forward Collision Avoidance at 62,000 miles Dec 22, 2025 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11706548

Around 530pm At the corner of Briarcliff Rd NE Atlanta Ga and N Druid Hills Rd NE Atlanta GA As I was about to accelerate after the Red Light turned green, my car experienced a significant loss of power. Several warning lights came on, the engine light came on and a warning that said System Default came on.

Electrical System Dec 13, 2025 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11704901

The contact owns a 2021 Infiniti QX50. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, attempting to stop, the rear brakes would make an abnormal sound. No warning lights illuminated.

Service Brakes at 32,059 miles Jul 30, 2025 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11677208

07/24/2023 Purchased car, drove approximately ten miles Tire Pressure sensor light appeared on dash screen and individual Tire Pressure reading not available. Notified dealership, appointment scheduled for the next day at GoodYear service center 07/25/2023 Good Year reset sensors.

Wheels Sep 17, 2023 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11545080

The contact owned a 2021 Infiniti QX50. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, he collided with another vehicle on the rear driver's side of the vehicle. As a result, the vehicle was thrust off the roadway, coming to a complete stop after colliding with a pole, and the front passenger side wheel disconnected from the axle.

Power Train Sep 5, 2023 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11542783

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Reported by Infiniti itself: 3 death-or-injury claims on this model year in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21): 5 injured, as claimed, not verified — about 12 per 100,000 built. Every QX50 model year, by year and system → Dated and by system, they are exhibit F of the defect dossier.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP

Configuration	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
SUV AWD	★★★★★	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★★☆	15%
SUV FWD	★★★★★	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★★☆	16%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: forward collision warning, lane departure warning.

Driver-assist crash reports (1)

Source: NHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01

1report filed

1 severity unknown

Aug 2025 to Aug 2025 · 1 with an air bag deployment · 0 towed

What was engaged, and what was hit

System named: ProPilot Assist (1)

Crash partner: SUV 1

Filed by: Nissan North America, Inc.

Incident	System	Struck	Injury alleged	State	Speed	Report
Aug 2025	Level 2 · ProPilot Assist	SUV	unknown	—	78 mph	945-11574

From the manufacturer’s own filing

The reporting entity’s narrative as NHTSA published it, with anything identifying removed and nothing added. A narrative is a notice, written before the entity had verified what happened.

The information contained in this report is based on Nissan's understanding of the allegations received during Claimant's discussions with Nissan's Consumer Affairs representatives and Nissan's preliminary vehicle inspection. On 8/21/25 claimant notified Nissan Consumer Affairs of an accident which reportedly occurred on 8/[redacted]/25.

Nissan North America, Inc. report 945-11574 Aug 2025 NHTSA SGO filing

A report under the General Order is a notice the manufacturer or operator must file within days of hearing of a crash in which a Level 2 driver-assist or automated-driving system was engaged within 30 seconds of impact. It is filed before anything is verified, and entities with telematics hear of far more crashes than entities that rely on complaints, so counts say as much about the reporting as about the car and are not comparable across makes. Nothing is normalised by fleet size. Every report on file, by make and year → · NHTSA’s page and files

Service bulletins & campaigns

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications

Communicationsfiled with NHTSA 127

Most recentmanufacturer date 2026-08-26

Kindsas classified by NHTSA 127 service bulletins

Most often about: Electrical System, Equipment, Power Train, Visibility/Wiper, Engine.

ITB22-025D Service bulletin
2026-08-26 · Electrical System
ROARING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY AND THE A/C IS NOT COOLING IF YOU CONFIRM A roaring noise from the engine cooling fan assembly (engine fan on high not cycling) is present, and the Air Conditioning (A/C) is not cooling. ACTION 1. Check the hardware part number for the IPDM E/R. 2. Replace the IPDM E/R with the part number listed in the PARTS INFORMATION, if applicable. 3. Reconfi
ITB09-063C Service bulletin
2026-04-13 · Structure — Body
CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “Certification Label” or “VIN Plate/Label” may be needed. HINT: Certification Label = FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) label. These items may be available from Infiniti by request if certain criteria are met. This bulletin lists the criteria and provide
ITB21-021A Service bulletin
2025-10-06 · Structure — Body
IF YOU CONFIRM The client states that either the rear hatch is inoperative, or the rear hatch closes after opening only a small amount, AND DTC B2426-23 for “SPINDLE SENSOR LH” and/or DTC B2427-23 for “SPINDLE SENSOR RH” is stored, AND/OR There is a growling type noise from the rear hatch area when opening/closing the rear hatch. · DTC B2426-23 for “SPINDLE SENSOR LH” and/or DTC B2427-23 for “SPIN
ITB23-023A Service bulletin
2025-02-20 · Electrical System
AEB WARNING LIGHT IS ON WITH WARNING MESSAGES DISPLAYED ON COMBINATION METER APPLIED VEHICLES: 2015-2024 Q50 (V37) 2015-2018 Q50 Hybrid (HV37) 2017-2022 Q60 (CV37) 2015-2019 Q70 (Y51) 2015-2018 Q70 Hybrid (HY51) 2019-2024 QX50 (J55) 2022-2024 QX55 (FJ55) 2015-2021 QX60 (L50) 2022-2024 QX60 (L51) 2015-2019 QX60 Hybrid (L50H) 2015-2024 QX80 (Z62) SERVICE INFORMATION The AEB system is designed to tur
ITB19-024D Service bulletin
2024-09-19 · Air Bags
DTC B00A0-00 STOREIF YOU CONFIRM DTC B00A0-00 (OCCUPANT DETECTION SENSOR UNIT) is stored, AND OCS zero point reset cannot be performed, (continued on the next page)D
ITB22-020B Service bulletin
2024-08-15 · Electrical System
TELEMATICS CONTROL UNIT RESET AFTER AUTOMATIC COLLISION NOTIFICATION SERVICE INFORMATION The Telematics Control Unit (TCU) has the ability to send an automatic collision notification when the vehicle is involved in an accident. Once an automatic collision notification is performed, the function becomes disabled and the TCU must be reset to re-enable the automatic collision notification function. S
ITB22-017B Service bulletin
2024-08-15 · Electrical System
DTC B2E01-96 (INTERNAL BATTERY) STORED AS CURRENT IN IVC APPLIED SYSTEMS: Vehicles equipped with Telematics SERVICE INFORMATION CONSULT has been updated to allow DTC B2E01-96 for “Internal battery” to be cleared in the Telematics Control Unit (TCU). If DTC B2E01-96 is Current/Active in the TCU, and no additional Current/Active DTCs are present in the TCU, perform the SERVICE PROCEDURE starting on
ITB19-042E Service bulletin
2024-08-15 · Electrical System
AV CONTROL UNIT REPLACEMENT PROCESS This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin. IF YOU CONFIRM The AV control unit needs to be replaced. ACTION 1. Read and save the VIN. 2. Read and save the configuration. 3. Replace the AV control unit. 4. Reprogram the AV control unit. 5. Configure the AV control unit. 6. Write the VI

A service bulletin is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a known condition. It is not a recall, not a finding that the vehicle is defective, and the work is not automatically free — though a bulletin is often what a dealer works from when you describe a symptom, so quoting the document number can save a diagnosis. The count is every communication filed; the list shows the most recent, one entry per campaign, because a single campaign is usually filed as several documents on the same day. The summaries are NHTSA's; the full documents come from the manufacturer.

Diagnostic trouble codes on file

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications and complaints

Codes documented against this model year in the federal record. A code appearing here does not mean this vehicle will set it — it means the code is part of this nameplate-year's documented history.

Code	What it means	Most often filed under	Where it appears
P0456 P0456 on Infiniti →	A very small leak in the evaporative emissions system.	Engine · Gas cap →	3 bulletins

Generic codes (the second character is 0 or 2) mean the same thing on every vehicle sold in the United States. Manufacturer-specific codes (1 or 3) mean whatever the automaker assigned, and no honest source can define them for you — which is why the ones here carry the evidence instead of a definition. A code is a link when enough separate federal documents name it across the catalogue to be worth a page of its own; the rest are listed here, where the vehicle is the context that makes them mean something.

At the New York inspection station

Source: New York State DMV

New York inspections 1.9%

failed emissions

739 initial inspections of 732 vehicles.

Measure	The 2021 QX50	Every 2021 vehicle	Behind it
Failed the emissions check	1.9%	1.9%	738
Failed the safety inspection	1.6%	1.5%	739
Air-bag warning lamp stayed lit	0%	0.19%	739
Miles driven a year	9,308	10,343	odometer at inspection
Average odometer	49,402	54,681	odometer at inspection

New York’s emissions test on these model years is an on-board diagnostics check: it fails a car whose check-engine light is on or whose self-tests have not finished. First inspections only, so a car that failed and came back is counted once; private and special plates, not taxis, livery or commercial plates. A rate appears only where at least 200 inspections stand behind it. “Every 2021 vehicle” is every 2021 model-year car, SUV and pickup inspected in the same window, all makes. This is the state’s record of test results, not a reliability score by itself. Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Vehicle Inspections (data.ny.gov, Open NY terms).

QX50 by model year

all years, side by side →

Year Safety Recalls Complaints

2025 A 0 1 26 mpg 2024 A 1 4 26 mpg 2023 A 1 4 26 mpg 2022 C 2 17 26 mpg 2021 this page C 2 41 26 mpg 2020 B 2 33 26 mpg 2019 C 3 145 27 mpg 2017 A 0 13 20 mpg 2016 A 0 19 20 mpg

Common questions about the 2021 QX50

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Does the 2021 Infiniti QX50 have any recalls?

NHTSA has posted 2 recall campaigns for the 2021 Infiniti QX50, 1 of them rated critical. The most serious on file is 25V437000, covering Engine And Engine Cooling. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.

How safe is the 2021 Infiniti QX50?

NHTSA gave the 2021 Infiniti QX50 5 stars overall in its New Car Assessment Program tests — 4-star frontal crash, 5-star side crash, 4-star rollover. WhichTrim also grades it C (78/100) on its recall record, which is a different question from crash protection.

What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Infiniti QX50?

Across the 2 EPA-rated configurations of the 2021 Infiniti QX50, the best EPA combined figure is 26 mpg. Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.

What are the dimensions of the 2021 Infiniti QX50?

Transport Canada measured it at 185.0 in long, 75.2 in wide (body, without mirrors), 66.1 in tall, on a 110.2 in wheelbase. Curb weight: 4,173 lb. Those are its measurements of the North American versions; every figure is in the table above.

What do owners complain about on the 2021 Infiniti QX50?

Owners have filed 41 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Infiniti QX50, most often about engine, forward collision avoidance, electrical system. Of those, 2 involved a crash, 4 reported injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.

How clean is the 2021 Infiniti QX50?

The EPA smog rating for the 2021 Infiniti QX50 is 6 out of 10. That score covers tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, and it only compares vehicles within the same model year. It is certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S. Its configurations were certified to different standards — California LEV-III ULEV50, Federal Tier 3 Bin 50 — which the table above lists per configuration.

Are there service bulletins for the 2021 Infiniti QX50?

The manufacturer has filed 127 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2021 Infiniti QX50, most often covering electrical system, equipment, power train. The most recent is dated 2026-08-26. A bulletin is not a recall: it is the repair procedure a manufacturer sends its dealers for a condition it knows about, and the work is not automatically paid for. It is still worth knowing — if the symptom matches, quoting the bulletin number at the service desk can save a diagnosis. The document numbers and summaries are listed above.

How does the 2021 Infiniti QX50 do at state inspection?

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2021 Infiniti QX50 failed the emissions check on 1.9% of first inspections — close to the 1.9% for every 2021 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 1.6% (every 2021 vehicle: 1.5%). The figures are New York State DMV’s own inspection records, first inspections only, and the table above sets each one against every vehicle of the same model year.

What we hold, and what an empty row means

Paid vehicle-history reports will not tell you the difference between “nothing happened to this car” and “we never received that record” — both of the big two say as much in their own help pages. Most of what is on this page comes from complete federal registers, so we can tell you which is which, row by row.

Data	Held	Source	What it covers — or what empty means
Fuel economy & configurations	2 configurations	EPA certification records	Every configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures.
Emission certificates	2 configurations	EPA emission certificates	Smog rating, standard and the sales area that decides where the car can be sold new.
Recalls	2	NHTSA recall campaigns	A complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags.
Owner complaints	41	NHTSA complaint database	Also complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Crash ratings	2 tested	NHTSA NCAP	Only the configurations NHTSA chose to crash-test, which is never all of them.
Service bulletins	127	NHTSA manufacturer communications	Everything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall.
Investigations	1	NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation	Open and closed defect investigations, with the agency's own narrative.
Driver-assist crash reports	1	NHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01	Crashes the manufacturer or operator reported with a Level 2 or automated-driving system engaged. Notices, filed before verification; not comparable across makes.
Specifications filed with NHTSA	9 fields	NHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patterns	What the manufacturer filed under the federal VIN rule — a configuration, not the full trim ladder.
Measured dimensions	7 fields	Transport Canada, Canadian Vehicle Specifications	Length, width, height, wheelbase, track and curb weight, measured on the North American versions.
Trims, pricing & equipment	none	Manufacturer press kit	We have not transcribed a press kit for this model year yet. This is our gap, not the manufacturer's — the one row here where an empty cell means we are behind.

Rebuilt nightly; this page was generated 2026-10-26. Every figure above is traceable to the source named beside it, and the JSON for this page carries the same values with their identifiers.

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). The most serious recall counts in full and each further one counts 85% of the one before, because a vehicle sold in millions is recalled more often than a rare one without being more dangerous — and because a flat subtraction bottomed the scale out, scoring a vehicle with 22 recalls within a point of one with six. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Read it as what it counts: recall campaigns on the federal record, weighted by severity. The damping reduces the sales bias by roughly 40% but does not remove it: like our complaint counts, this is not normalized by how many were sold, so a best-seller still scores somewhat worse than an obscure model with the same real risk. NHTSA crash ratings, do-not-drive and park-outside advisories, and the crash, fire, injury and death counts in owner complaints are reported separately on every page and never blended into the letter — a vehicle can hold five stars and a poor letter at once, and where that happens we say so rather than leave you to notice. Because the scale subtracts from a clean sheet, a model year too new to have been recalled, complained about or bulletined scores full marks on an empty record; we label those grades provisional rather than present them as earned.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed nightly.

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