Why does my Infiniti Q70 feel like it's in neutral when I slow down, or not go at all?

Short answer: Owners most often blame the 7-speed transmission's valve body when the car feels like it slips into neutral while slowing, then lurches back into gear. Read codes first, looking for P0720 or P0500. Also check your VIN for driveshaft recall 24V470000 on 2WD cars.

Symptom: A few seconds of neutral feeling when slowing down, RPMs rising with no movement, a lurch when it catches, or rare moments when the car won't move until it's restarted.

What to check first

1. Read codes, especially P0720 and P0500.
2. Check when the transmission fluid was last changed and that the level is right.
3. Notice whether it happens hot, at high altitude, or when slowing down.
4. Ask a shop to check the valve body and speed sensor.
5. Check your VIN for recall 24V470000 if your car is 2WD.

Likely causes

1. Transmission valve body. The valve body is the transmission's hydraulic control unit. Owners say a failing one causes the neutral feeling and a lurch when it re-engages.
2. Speed sensor on the valve body. Some owners replace only the speed sensor, but one said that fix usually lasts about six months.
3. Transmission overheat or 'low torque mode'. One reply said the 7-speed can limit throttle if it overheats, without warning lights.

What it usually costs

One owner paid $3,800 at a dealer for a new valve body on a 2015 QX70. Another said the part alone is about $1,500.

Is it safe to keep driving?

Use care. A car that suddenly won't go or lurches into gear can cause a crash. Get it checked soon.

DIY or shop?

Reading codes is DIY. Valve body replacement is a shop job for most owners.

Recalls, bulletins and complaints in plain words

• Recalls: Recall 24V470000 covers a driveshaft that can fatigue and break on certain 2WD 2014-2019 Q70 and 2015-2019 Q70L cars, and 20V755000 covers driveshafts on certain 2014 Q70 Hybrid and V8 2WD cars. A broken driveshaft can mean loss of drive, so check this first. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If your car is part of a recall, the dealer fixes it for free.
• Plain words: The complaint count below shows how often owners reported problems that mention these words to NHTSA. A count is not proof of a defect.
• NHTSA complaints: 6 keyword-matched complaints for Infiniti Q70 and Q70L 2014–2019 (of 27 unique complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-11-05; keywords: transmission, shift, jerk, hesitat, harsh, limp, slip). This counts complaints that mention these words. It is not a defect finding.

What owners report

• In Problem with transmission on Reddit r/infiniti, a 2014 Q70 owner said the car felt like it went into neutral for about three seconds when slowing to around 10 km/h, then jumped forward when it re-engaged. Replies pointed to the valve body. A 2015 QX70 owner paid $3,800 at a dealer for a new valve body and said codes P0720 and P0500 are typical. Another said a new valve body part is about $1,500.
• In issues wit the q70 ideas advise need .. opinions??? on Reddit r/infiniti, a Q70 3.7 owner at 55,000 miles backed out of a spot at the top of Pikes Peak, and the car wouldn't go even with the gas floored. It drove normally hours later with no codes. One reply said the 7-speed may limit throttle if it overheats. A 2019 owner said theirs does it now and then, and turning the car off and back on fixes it.

Quick tip

Read the codes, and if it points to the valve body, a replacement has worked better for owners than only replacing the speed sensor.

Vehicle focus: Infiniti Q70 and Q70L 2014-2019 with the 7-speed automatic. The QX70 uses a similar transmission.

Safety / mechanic note

Lurching into gear or a loss of drive can cause a crash. Verify with a mechanic.