Why is my 2016–2018 Infiniti Q50 3.0t blowing white smoke?

Short answer: On the 2016–2018 Q50 with the 3.0L twin-turbo V6, white smoke from the exhaust, oil loss or a check-engine light is very often a turbocharger leaking oil. It was common enough that Infiniti extended turbo coverage to 10 years or 120,000 miles for qualifying failures. Go to an Infiniti dealer before paying an independent shop.

Symptom: White or bluish smoke from the exhaust (often at startup or after idling), oil level dropping, a check-engine light (sometimes with code P0106), or reduced power.

What to check first

1. Check the oil level. Leaking turbos burn oil, and running low can damage the engine.
2. Ask an Infiniti dealer about the turbocharger warranty extension for your VIN. It's not a recall, so you won't get a letter for every car.
3. Note the symptoms and any codes (white smoke, P0106) because the extension covers specific failure conditions.
4. If you already paid for a turbo, keep the receipts and ask about reimbursement.

Likely causes

1. Turbocharger bearing seal leaking oil. Infiniti's bulletin covers turbos that leak oil and cause smoke, a check-engine light or turbo damage. RepairPal estimates $2,916–$3,474 for a 2016–2018 Q50 turbo assembly.
2. Boost or vacuum leak / MAP sensor reading (P0106). P0106 can show up with these failures, but have the turbo checked before replacing sensors.
3. PCV or oil feed problems. Worth ruling out during diagnosis.

What it usually costs

RepairPal estimates a turbocharger assembly for a 2016–2018 Q50 at about $2,916 to $3,474, and this engine has two turbos. Under Infiniti's extension, qualifying repairs are covered through 10 years or 120,000 miles. Owners report free replacements, and Infiniti says you may be reimbursed for a qualifying repair you already paid for. Engine software or hardware modifications that affect the turbo can void coverage.

Is it safe to keep driving?

Not for long. Smoke means the turbo is leaking oil, and oil levels can drop fast. Check the oil before every drive and get it in soon. If the oil light comes on, smoke gets heavy, or power drops sharply, stop driving. Verify with a mechanic.

DIY or shop?

Dealer. Turbo replacement on this engine is a big job, and the warranty extension only applies at Infiniti dealers.

Recalls, bulletins and complaints in plain words

• No recall covers the turbos.
• Infiniti turbocharger warranty extension (2016–2018 Q50, 2017–2018 Q60): extends turbo coverage to 10 years or 120,000 miles when the turbo leaks oil and causes white smoke, a check-engine light such as P0106, or turbo damage. If your car qualifies, the dealer replaces it for free.
• Recall 24V470 (2014–2018 Q50 rear-wheel drive): the driveshaft can fatigue and break. If your car is part of this recall, the dealer replaces the driveshaft for free.
• NHTSA complaints: 25 keyword-matched complaints for Infiniti Q50 2016–2018 (of 144 unique complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-10-17; keywords: turbo, smoke, loss of power, lost power, oil leak).

What owners report

• On r/q50, owners asked whether all Q50/Q60 3.0t engines have premature turbo failure, and one urged others to report early turbo failures to NHTSA.
• Once the extension came out, owners shared how it worked in a thread about the turbocharger emissions warranty extension, and one posted that their new turbos were approved under the extension.
• Infiniti Q50 Forum owners also discussed the turbocharger warranty extension.

My take

My advice as a former finance manager: on a used Q50 3.0t, a tune or aftermarket intake can give a dealer a reason to deny turbo coverage. If you're modifying one that's still under the extension, think hard about it first.

Vehicle focus: 2016–2018 Infiniti Q50 with the 3.0L twin-turbo V6 (VR30). The 2017–2018 Q60 shares the extension.

Safety / mechanic note

A leaking turbo can drop the oil level fast and damage the engine. Verify with a mechanic.