2004 Infiniti Qx56: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2004 Infiniti Qx56? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 106 complaints, with Brake System as the top reported area.
2004 Infiniti Qx56 Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 2 2004 Infiniti Qx56 trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 2 trims analysed.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2004 Infiniti Qx56 has 106 owner complaints, 5 crash-related complaints, and 2 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Brake System. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Infiniti
- Model
- Qx56
- Model year
- 2004
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 106
- Crash-related complaints
- 5
- Safety recall campaigns
- 2
- Top reported component
- Brake System
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 14
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 12 / 17
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
Most Common 2004 Infiniti Qx56 Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Brake System
Hydraulic
Electrical Faults
Complaint patterns center on Brake System, Hydraulic, Electrical Faults. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2004 Infiniti Qx56?
The 2004 Infiniti Qx56 shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2004 Infiniti Qx56
Inspection Focus
- Inspect the brake system thoroughly, including hydraulic components.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for brake, electrical, and engine repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect the brake system thoroughly, including hydraulic components.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for brake, electrical, and engine repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2004 Infiniti Qx56, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Complaints for the 2004 INFINITI QX56 are heavily concentrated in the brake system, with a notable number of hydraulic-related issues. Electrical faults and engine problems also appear frequently, though the overall confidence in these patterns is low due to the limited data.
- Brake system complaints dominate the dataset, accounting for the majority of reported issues.
- Hydraulic problems are a significant subset of brake complaints.
- Electrical faults and engine problems are the next most common complaint categories.
- Brake System
- Hydraulic
- Electrical Faults
All 2004 Infiniti Qx56 Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Infiniti Qx56. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brake System | 65 | 2 | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 32 | 2 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 16 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Engine Problems | 10 | 1 | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 10 | 1 | — | — | |
| Visibility | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2004 Infiniti Qx56. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
My wife was driving home from work, said brake is failing, makes loud grindy, rattling noise when brake is applied. Once the car is turn off and back on, everything is back to normal. When I got home, i took the wheels off to check everything was ok, pads were almost new, which I…
The contact owns a 2004 Infiniti QX56. The contact stated that the vehicle would fail to start up after multiple attempts with several unknown warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. In addition, he stated that the vehicle would intermittently stall while driving at v…
I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY DRIVING MY FAMILY FROM TEXAS TO NORTH CAROLINA WHEN I RAN INTO RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC LONG THE WAY. I APPLIED THE BRAKE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN, THEN SUDDENLY THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED SHAKING, THERE WAS A LOUND GRIDDING NOISE AS IF THE ENGINE ABOUT TO FALLOUT …
THE EMC RELAY IS BAD. I HAVE A LETTER SAYING IT WAS A RECALL.. AS I WAS DRIVING THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF. IF YOU WAITED A LITTLE WHILE IT WOULD START UP AGAIN BUT IT SEEMED THAT WHEN IT GOT HOT IT WOULD SHUT DOWN AGAIN. IT COST ME 102.00 FOR TOW TRUCK AND THE DEALERSHIP IS CHARGING …
TAKATA RECALL PAINT IS FADING IN DIFFERENT PLACES CLEAR COAT HAS FADED AWAY THIS HAS HAPPENED OVER THE PASS COUPLE OF YEARS
THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE WARNING LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. ROTORS ARE FINE. BRAKE FLUID LEVEL IS HIGH. YET, WHEN I APPLY MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND THERE IS ALSO A BAD SOUND ON THE FRONT WHEELS THAT SOUNDS LIKE METAL TO METAL (THERE IS A VIBRATION). ONCE I PULL …
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 INFINITI QX56. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. IN ADDITION, THE FUEL GAUGE AND OTHER GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DISPLAYED INACCURATE INFORMATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (INFINITI OF ELK GROVE, 8586 LA…
ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHILE THE CAR WAS MOVING IN A DRY PARKING LOT AND APPLYING MY BRAKES, MY ABS BRAKES KICKED ON FOR NO REASON AND THE CAR WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND STOP. THE LIGHT CAME ON AS WELL AND I HEARD ALOT OF GRINDING. THIS WAS VERY SCARY AS BOTH TIMES I HAD MY…
I GET A BRAKE LIGHT AND A SLIP LIGHT SOMETIMES WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. MAKES AN AWFUL NOISE AND SOMETIMES THE BRAKES FAIL TO OPERATE. I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT TO RESET SOMETHING AND THEN ITS FINE FOR A FEW DAYS AND COMES BACK. IT IS VERY SCARY. OTHERS WHO HAVE…
RADIATOR CRACKED. INTERIM WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. $5,000 TRANSMISSION REBUILD.
WHILE DRIVING AT LOW/HIGH SPEEDS, THE BRAKE LIGHT WILL JUST TURN ON UNEXPECTEDLY. ALSO, THE ABS BRAKES SEEM TO FAIL WHERE YOU HAVE TO PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. THE ONLY WAY TO TEMPORARILY FIX THIS IS TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON FOR THE BRAKE LIGHT TO GO…
WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION THE RED BRAKE LIGHT WILL TURN ON AND WHEN YOU PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL THE CAR SLOWS DOWN BUT MAKES A LOUD THUMPING NOISE, AND YOU CAN FEEL LIKE A SPRING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL VIBRATING, IF YOU TURN OFF THE VEHICLE, IT RESETS FOR A WHILE BUT NOW IT IS HAPPENI…
AS I WAS TRAVELING ON A CITY STREET, THE BRAKES ON MY 2004 INFINITI QX56 STARTED MAKING A GRINDING NOISE AND THE BRAKE LIGHT ON DASH BOARD WENT ON MAKING IT HARD TO COME TO A STOP. I DON'T KNOW WHATS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. I KNOW THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE FOR THE SAME REA…
THE FIRST TIME I HAD ISSUES WITH MY BRAKES I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE PARKED. I TURNED THE VEHICLE ON AND TRIED TO RELEASES THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BUT THE LIGHT WOULDN'T DISENGAGE. I PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND THE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE BUT THE BRAKES DIDN'T WORK. THEN …
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 INFINITI QX56. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES PULSATED AND MADE AN ABNORMAL GRINDING NOISE. THE CHECK ENGINE AND ABS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKES FUNCTIONED …
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 INFINITI QX56. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IPDM BOX FAILED AND NEEDED R…
WHILE DRIVING THE EMERGERCNY BRAKE DASH LIGHT WILL BECOME LIT AND ALL BRAKING ACTIONS HAVE DRASTICALLY REDUCED POWER. A AN AUDIBLE GRINDING NOISE IS OBSERVED FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE BRAKE PEDDLE HAS LITTLE TO NO RESISTANCE. A RESTART OF THE VEHICLE TEMPORARILY RESOL…
PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT AND DASH LIGHT IS ON ALL THE TIME.
EMERGENCY BRAKE: E-BRAKE APPEARS TO ENGAGE ON ITS OWN AND THE BRAKE LIGHT INDICATOR COMES ON. THERE'S ALSO A GRINDING SOUND WHEN BRAKE IS PRESSED. GRINDING SOUNDS ONLY OCCURS WHEN THIS ISSUE COMES UP. EXHAUST MANIFOLDS: WAS NOTIFIED BY THE DEALER UPON A SERVICE INSPECTION …
ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY BECAME COMPLETELY LOOSE, MOVING UP AND DOWN (WHILE UNDERWAY, STOPPED, OR WHEN VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF). THE ENTIRE COLUMN FROM ALL THE WAY INTO THE DASH, THRU THE COLUMN TO THE STEERING WHEEL MOVES (UNCONTROLLABLY) UP AND DOWN CAUSING SERIOUSLY UNS…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2004 Infiniti Qx56.
2004 Infiniti Qx56 Recalls
2 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2004 Infiniti Qx56. 2 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2004 Infiniti Qx56 Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2004 Infiniti Qx56 reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 106 owner complaints, 5 crash-related complaints, and 2 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2004 Infiniti Qx56 shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Infiniti Qx56?▾
#1: Brake System (65 complaints). #2: Hydraulic (32 complaints). #3: Electrical Faults (16 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2004 Infiniti Qx56?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2004 Infiniti Qx56?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2004 Infiniti Qx56, NHTSA complaints include 5 crash-related reports and 1 fire reports out of 106 total complaints. 3 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2004 Infiniti Qx56 have any recalls?▾
Yes. 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2004 Infiniti Qx56. A major recall area is SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM. 2 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2004 Infiniti Qx56?▾
The 2004 Infiniti Qx56 shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Brake System during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Infiniti Qx56 reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2004 Infiniti Qx56 based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.