Infiniti QX56 Reliability by Year
Best & Worst Years, Problems & Recalls — NHTSA Data
Comparing used Infiniti QX56 options? We analyzed 10 model years (2004–2013) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
Model-year trends show patterns. Run a VIN check for the exact Infiniti QX56 you plan to buy.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Infiniti QX56 has 537 owner complaints and 27 safety recalls across model years 2004–2013. The most reported issue area is SERVICE BRAKES. 2004 drew the most complaints; 2009 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Infiniti
- Model
- QX56
- Model years analyzed
- 2004–2013 (10 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 537
- Safety recall campaigns
- 27
- Crash-related complaints
- 18
- Fire-related complaints
- 2
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2004 (106 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2009 (7 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- SERVICE BRAKES
- Reliability signal
- Poor
Infiniti QX56: Which Years to Avoid & Which to Buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
⭐ NHTSA NCAP Crash Test Ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
PoorThe INFINITI QX56 has 537 NHTSA complaints and 27 recalls on record. 18 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 537 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 27 federal recall campaigns
- 18 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
🔔 NHTSA Safety Recalls
27 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
Safety Recall
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Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2004–2013. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
🔧 Most-Reported Problem Areas
Based on component keywords extracted from all 537 NHTSA complaints.
📋 NHTSA Complaint Reports
537 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
The contact owns a 2009 Infiniti QX56. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the fuel gauge indicated that there was no fuel remaining, and the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact was able to pull over on the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and the mechanic stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V074000 (Fuel System, Other). The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 156,193.
The contact owns a 2009 Infiniti QX56. The contact while driving approximately 25 MPH, there was swaying in the rear of the vehicle. The contact also stated that the fuel gauge was not operating properly after the fuel tank was filler. Additionally, there was an unknown failure with the rear suspension. The tire failure warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that an independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with rear suspension failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V402000 (Suspension, Steering). The approximately failure mileage was 167,000.
I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 435 W. IN KANSAS CITY KANSAS. IT WAS ABOUT 4:15 AM TRAVELING AT 70-72 MPH MY VISIBILITY WAS OK BUT I THOUGHT THAT IF I USE MY HIGHBEAM IT WOULD BE BETTER. AS SOON AS I CLICKED HIGH BEAM ON MY CAR INSTANTLY TURNED OFF. MY HEADLIGHTS MY INTERIOR LIGHTS AND MY RADIO POWERED OFF. AS A PANIC REACTION SINCE I HAD ZERO VISIBILITY AND IT WAS DARK OUTSIDE MY FOOT THE BRAKES. AS I REMEMBER MY SIBAL HAD ALREADY TIGHTENED UP BEFORE HITTING THE BRAKES BUT BEFORE I COULD REALIZE IT MY CAR PART POWERED BACK ON BY ITSELF WITHOUT ME DOING ANYTHING I LOOK AT MY SPEEDOMETER AND I WAS GOING ABOUT 67-69. WHEN MY CAR POWERED ON IT SEEMS AS IF IT REZONED AS IF NOTHING HAD HAPPENED NOW I BELIEVE IF I WAS IN KANSAS CITY KANSAS RUSH-HOUR I WOULD HAVE CAUSED A SEVERE ACCIDENT . EVEN THOUGH IT WAS MAYBE FOR A SECOND OR TWO THAT MY CAR HAD POWERED OFF IT WAS MORE THAT MY CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND I BELIEVE WITH EVERYTHING THAT WAS ELECTRICAL THEY HAVE POWER IT OFF I DON'T BELIEVE THAT MY BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD HAVE WORKED AS WELL. IF THAT WERE THE CASE I WOULD'VE NEVER HAVE GAVE THE DRIVER BEHIND ME ANY KIND OF WARNING FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO SLOW DOWN. LUCKILY IT WAS 4 AM IN THE MORNING WITH NO TRAFFIC THAT I DIDN'T CAUSE ANY KIND OF ACCIDENT BECAUSE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN UNKNOWN HOW BADLY IT WOULD'VE COST IF THEY WERE TRAFFIC. I'M NOT SURE WHAT CAUSED THIS BUT I KNOW AS SOON AS I HAD EXITED OFF THE THE INTERSTATE I TURN THE CAR OFF TURN IT BACK ON SEEM JUST FINE WHEN I WENT TO GO TURN ON THE LIGHTS MY CAR AGAIN POWERED OFF. I WAITED ABOUT 15 MINUTES BEFORE I STARTED THE CAR AGAIN AND IT STARTED UP JUST FINE WAITING FOR IT TO WARM UP TURN MY LIGHTS ON AGAIN AND IT DID NOTHING THIS TIME AND I WAS ABLE TO RESUME HOME.
MY 2009 INFINITI QX56 HAS A SERIOUS ISSUE WITH THE REAR SUSPENSION THAT STARTED ABOUT A YEAR AFTER I GOT THE CAR WHEN IT WAS AT ABOUT 100,000 MILES AND HAS GOTTEN WORSE, EVEN THOUGH REPAIR SHOPS AND DEALER KEEP TELLING ME IT'S 'FINE'... WHEN TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT SPEEDS OVER 50MPH, IF I HIT OR DRIVE OVER ANY BUMP OR POTHOLE OR DIP OR UNEVEN PAVEMENT, THE BACKEND OF THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT IS GOING TO FISHTAIL OR SWING OUT OF CONTROL AND HAS GOTTEN WORSE. NOW, AT SLOW SPEEDS WHEN I HIT ANY OF THE AFOREMENTIONED TYPICAL ROAD / PAVEMENT ISSUES, THE BACK END SOUNDS LIKE IT IS SLAMMING DOWN ON ITSELF. ALSO, THE BRAKES NOW SOMETIMES FEEL LIKE THE PEDAL IS "LOOSE" AND GOES NEARLY TO THE FLOOR. IF I PUMP THE BRAKE AGAIN, IT GOES BACK TO NORMAL. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN AND BEEN TOLD THE "BRAKES ARE JUST FINE" AND THEY ACT LIKE THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT. THE SAME WITH THE SUSPENSION, EXCEPT FOR NOW THERE IS A "TINGING" SOUND SOMETIMES UPON STARTING OR ACCELERATING. THE REPAIR SHOP TOLD ME THE STRUTS AND SHOCKS ETC 'ARE FINE', BUT THAT THERE MAY BE AN ISSUE WITH THE SUSPENSION THE DEALER ACTED LIKE THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT, BUT AFTER RESEARCH HERE ... I SEE THAT THIS EXACT PROBLEM IS COMMON WITH THIS VEHICLE AND THE 2011, SUCH THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE MODELS MANUFACTURED NOV. 2009 AND 2010. ALL OF THESE VEHICLES SHOULD BE FIXED BY MANUFACTURER. THEY KNOW THIS IS AN ISSUE AND EVEN RECALLED SOME VEHICLES. THIS TRULY COULD KILL US SOME DAY... BRAKES DON'T WORK OR THE CAR'S BACK-END SWINGS OUT OF THE LANE AND FISHTAILS OUT OF CONTROL ON THE INTERSTATE. IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME NOW. I RESEARCHED BECAUSE I NEED TO DRIVE MY SON TO COLLEGE AND KNEW IT DIDN'T FEEL SAFE. I FOUND YOU MAY ALREADY BE INVESTIGATING THESE ISSUES AND I WOULD LIKE A RESOLUTION AND TO HAVE MY TESTIMONY INCLUDED. IT'S DANGEROUS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 INFINITI QX56. AFTER GROCERY SHOPPING, THE CONTACT OPENED THE TRUNK WITH THE REMOTE. WHILE PUTTING THE GROCERIES INSIDE THE TRUNK, THE TRUNK AUTOMATICALLY CLOSED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE TRUNK FROM FALLING DOWN WITH HER HANDS. THE DEALER (GLENDALE INFINITI, 812 S BRAND BLVD, GLENDALE, CA 91204) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT IT WAS NOT PART OF THE STANDARD CHECKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
THE AIRBAG DOES NOT WORK ON THE STEERING COLUMN THE DEALER SAYS IT'S DUE TO A COLD SPRING ON THE BACKSIDE OF THE AIRBAG THAT ALLOWS ELECTRICITY TO GO THROUGH IT TO MAKE IT WORK AND ONCE OVER $1000 TO REPLACE THE COIL- SPRING IN ORDER TO MAKE THE AIRBAG WORK WHICH IS CONNECTED TO ALL THE OTHER SAFETY AIRBAGS IN THE VEHICLE IF THE DRIVERS AIRBAG DOES NOT WORK NEITHER DOES ANY OF THE OTHER AIRBAGS IN THE VEHICLE . GAS GAUGE DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY IT RUNS OUT OF GAS WHEN THE GAUGE SHOWS IT HAS MORE THAN A QUARTER OF A TANK OF GAS DOES NOT REGISTER FOR ONE F GAS GAUGE DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY IT RUNS OUT OF GAS WHEN THE GAUGE SHOWS IT HAS MORE THAN A QUARTER OF A TANK OF GAS DOES NOT REGISTER FULL WHEN FULL OF GAS! THE SUSPENSION IN COOL SPRINGS ON THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE DO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY VEHICLES WAYS FROM SIDE TO SIDE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AS WELL AS CLAMBERS WHAT IT GOES TO A POTHOLE IN THE ROAD THIS STARTED AT LESS THAN 100 THOUSAND MILES IN A VEHICLE NOW HAS 129,000 MILES ! VEHICLE MAKES LOUD NOISES UPON ACCELERATING THE MECHANIC SAID IT'S FROM A CRACKED MANIFOLD WHICH IS COMMON IN THE QX56 AND WANTS $1800 TO REPLACE THE MANIFOLD THIS IS OUT RAGES. THE THROTTLE SAYS THING POSITION ON THE Q X56 IS VERY TOUCHING AND BARELY LAYING YOUR FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL JOBS FOR ESPECIALLY FROM STOP LIGHTS AND STOP SIGNS UPON INITIAL ACCELERATION THIS IS VERY UNSAFE THE DEALER REFUSES TO FIX IT UNDER WARRANTY.
MY CAR RAN OUT OF GAS ON THE FREEWAY. THE FUEL GAUGE STILL READ 1/4. I HAVE NOTICED THIS SEVERAL TIMES, THAT I KNOW I AM NEAR EMPTY BASED ON MILEAGE BUT MY GAS GAUGE STILL READS 1/4. I FOUND A RECALL ON-LINE THAT STATES THAT THIS CAR IS AFFECTED BUT WHEN I CONTACT NISSAN NA AND MY DEALER, BOTH SAY, BASED ON MY VIN, THERE IS NO RECALL. THIS IS WHAT I FOUND ONLINE: RECALL ID # 68281 - FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM RECALL DATE: MAR 03, 2010 MODEL AFFECTED: 2009 INFINITI QX56 SUMMARY: NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2009 TITAN, ARMADA, AND INFINITI QX56 VEHICLES. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FUEL GAUGE MAY INACCURATELY DISPLAY THAT THE VEHICLE STILL HAS SOME FUEL, TYPICALLY ABOUT ONE QUARTER TANK, WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS EMPTY. CONSEQUENCES: THIS COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF GAS AND STALL ON THE HIGHWAY, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH. REMEDY: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL SENDER UNIT INSIDE THE FUEL TANK WITH A NEW IMPROVED SENDER CARD. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 22, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261. POTENTIAL UNITS AFFECTED: 340000 NOTES: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. READ MORE: HTTP://WWW.MOTORTREND.COM/CARS/2009/INFINITI/QX56/RECALLS/#IXZZ3TLP7MAC9 HTTP://WWW.MOTORTREND.COM/CARS/2009/INFINITI/QX56/RECALLS/ *TR
MY TRUCK COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING LONG DISTANCES ON THE FREEWAY AT SPEEDS GREATER THAN 60 MPH AND THEN SLOWING DOWN IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. IT ALSO FALLS DEAD ON LOCAL ROADS AT 30-40 MPH. I CAN LITERALLY PRESS THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND WITH NO PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR. THERE ARE NO WARNING CODES OR ALERTS WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE SOUTHWEST INFINITI PAID FOR UNNECESSARY SERVICE AND THE PROBLEM STILL REMAINS. I AM ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE;BUT FROM ONLY PARK OR NEUTRAL. I THEN HAVE TO REV UP THE ENGINE FOR AT LEAST 5 MINS BEFORE I AM ABLE TO GET ANY TYPE OF ACCELERATION. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I ALMOST GOT HIT SEVERAL TIMES.
THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION THAT HAS CAUSED MY HORN TO WORK ONLY WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS SIDEWAYS AND IT ALSO AFFECTS MY ABILITY TO CONTROL MY DRIVERS SEAT POSITIONING. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS A CAR CUT ME OFF ON THE FREEWAY AT VERY CLOSE DISTANCE. I WOULD HAVE NEVER KNOWN THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE IF THIS DID NOT HAPPEN.
WHEN DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS BREAK LIGHT COMES ON, AND THE BRAKES VIBRATE. I'VE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE TECHNICIANS COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. I THEN SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE BRAKES WORKED PROPERLY. THE SAME ISSUE HAS HAPPENED TWICE, ONCE AT LAX, AND THE MOST RECENT BEING TODAY 6/11/2019.
WHILE DRIVING THE SUV ON THE HIGHWAY I WENT TO BRAKE AND IT ACTED AS IF THE ABS BRA KING SYSTEM ENGAGED. THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH. I PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR AGAIN THE BRAKE LIGHT WENT OUT AND THE BRAKES ACTED AS NORMAL AFTER THAT.
THE BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON, THE BRAKE PEDAL WEAKENS AND BRAKE SYSTEM MAKES A RATTLING NOISE WHEN THE PEDAL IS PRESSED. IT MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO STOP THE CAR.
WHILE DRIVING AND I GO OVER A BUMP THE CAR JUMPS TO THE SIDE. ALSO LIGHTS ON DASH STAY ON FOR SEATBELTS, TIRE PRESSURE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 INFINITI QX56. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD FAIL TO DISPLAY THE CORRECT READING AS WELL AS WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GLORY AUTO SALES LTD 8560 E MAIN ST, REYNOLDSBURG, OH 43068, PHONE NUMBER; (614) 856-0000, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A FAULTY CLUSTER THAT NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO GLORY AUTO SALES WHERE THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NEEDED TO PAY FOR A SECOND REPLACEMENT OF THE CLUSTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED A SECOND TIME DUE TO COST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
WHILE DRIVING BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON (NOT ABS LIGHT), AND WHEN PUSH THE BRAKES IS HARD TO STOP AND HAS A RATTLE NOISE ON BRAKES, IF YOU TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND TURNED BACK ON EVERYTHING GOES TO NORMAL, I KNOW THAT THIS PROBLEM IS ON NISSAN ARMADA WICH IT HAS A RECALL BUT NOT ON THE INFINITI, THE RECALL IS DELTA STROKE SENSOR WITH CODE C1179
THE POWER BRAKES SEEM TO GO OUT DURING DRIVING. THEY CHUG THEN REQUIRE EXTREME FORCE PRESSURE ON PEDAL TO STOP. SHUTTING DOWN THE CAR AND THEN WAITING AND TURING IT BACK ON SEEMS TO RESTART IT.
TAKATA RECALL MY AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN FLASHING ACCOMPANIED BY SOME CLICKING SOUND OR NOISE THAT STOPS AFTER SOME SECONDS.THIS HAPPENS EACH TIME I TURN ON THE CAR
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO SLOW FOR A TURN. MY BRAKES MAKE A LOUD GRINDING SOUND AND WERE NOT PROPERLY WORKING. THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND PULLED OFF THE ROAD. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS PUT IN PARK AND RESTARTED THE LIGHT WENT OFF AND THE BRAKES WORKED PROPERLY AGAIN. I HAVE READ SEVERAL OTHER STORIES OF THIS HAPPENING TO OTHERS. WHY ISN'T INFINITI DOING ANYTHING ABOUT THIS? THIS HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES SINCE I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE.
I'M HAVING BRAKE PROBLEMS WITH MY 2007 QX56. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A BRAKE PROBLEM TWICE IN 2 WEEKS. AT RANDOM TIMES, IT IS DIFFICULT TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. IT ACTED LIKE THE ABS WAS TRYING TO ENGAGE. IT WAS LIKE I WAS SLIPPING ON SOMETHING WHEN I WAS APPLYING THE BRAKES. THERE IS A SLIGHT METAL RATTLE NOISE WHILE PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY DOWN WHILE TRYING TO COME TO A STOP. THE BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON. THERE IS NO SHAKING OF THE STEERING WHEEL OR VEHICLE. NO FLUID LEAKED OR ANYTHING I COULD SEE. THE BRAKE FLUID BUT IT WAS NOT REAL LOW ABOVE THE MIN MARK BUT BELOW THE MAX MARK. AFTER THE BRAKE PROBLEM OCCURS, A RESTART OF THE VEHICLE WILL MAKE THE BRAKE LIGHT GO AWAY AND THE TRUCK DRIVES FINE. I HAVE BEEN GOOGLE THEIR WERE A LOT OF COMPLAINT ABOUT NISSAN ARMADA, NISSAN TITAN AND INFINITI QX56 VEHICLES HAVE DANGEROUS BRAKE PROBLEMS SAME AS MY ISSUED. BUT NO RECALL WERE MAKE.
VEHICLE FEELS AS THOUGH IT IS JUMPING SIDE BY SIDE ON THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING OVER SMALL BUMPS ON THE PAVEMENT. REQUIRES FIRM GRIP ON STEERING WHEEL TO MAINTAIN CONTROL. *TR
Showing 20 of 537 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Before You Buy, Check the Exact Infiniti QX56
These pages show model-year patterns across 10years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
📖 Understanding This Data
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Infiniti QX56 has 537 complaints on record across 10 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Infiniti QX56 has 27 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 18 of the Infiniti QX56's 537 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Infiniti QX56 vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Infiniti QX56 vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Infiniti QX56 has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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📍 Check a Infiniti QX56 by State
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Infiniti QX56.