Which Infiniti QX56 years should I avoid?

NHTSA complaint data flags 2005, 2008, and 2011 as the years to avoid, with complaint index scores of 88, 75, and 100 respectively, the three highest in the lineup.

Is there a best year for the Infiniti QX56?

No QX56 model year earns a Best rating. 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2013 are rated Good, though 2007 and 2009 are capped at Good because complaint records for 2005-2009 are less complete.

What is the most common problem on the Infiniti QX56?

Across all model years, brakes are the top problem area with 138 complaints (32% of the total), followed by engine issues at 107 complaints (25%).

Does the 2011 Infiniti QX56 have engine problems?

Yes. Engine complaints make up 51% of all 2011 complaints, with owners reporting timing chain rattling and repeat catalytic converter failures around a median mileage of 90,000.

How many recalls does the Infiniti QX56 have?

Across the 2005-2013 QX56, NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns total, spread across brakes, fuel system, airbags, and other components.

Infiniti QX56 Best and Worst Years (2005–2013)

Avoid the 2005, 2008, and 2011 Infiniti QX56 model years, which post complaint index scores of 88, 75, and 100 out of the nine years tracked. No QX56 year earns a Best or Good-without-caveat rating on complaints alone; 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2013 are rated Good, though 2007 and 2009 carry a data-completeness cap.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2005 Avoid 2008 Avoid 2011

Model years: 9; 2005–2013
NHTSA complaints: 432
Recall campaigns: 10
Crashes reported: 13
Fires reported: 1
Top problem area: Brakes

QX56 Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Infiniti QX56 problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2005	Avoid	88	80	2	0	3	Brakes	14	—
2006	Caution	50	79	0	0	3	Brakes	14	—
2007	Good	13	21	0	0	1	Brakes	14	—
2008	Avoid	75	53	5	0	3	Brakes	14	—
2009	Good	0	7	0	0	2	Suspension, Wheels & Tires	14	—
2010	Good	38	25	2	0	2	Airbags	14	—
2011	Avoid	100	78	0	1	2	Engine	16	—
2012	Caution	63	57	1	0	3	Engine	16	—
2013	Good	25	32	3	0	3	Engine	16	—

QX56 years to avoid: what went wrong

2011 Infiniti QX56 Index 100 · 78 complaints · 2 recalls

The 2011 QX56 has the highest complaint index in the lineup at 100, from 78 complaints, with engine problems accounting for 51% of them and a median failure mileage of 90,000. Owners describe timing chain rattling, catalytic converter failures needing repeated replacement, and batteries that repeatedly go dead. Fuel system complaints made up 26% of the total. Two recalls apply to this year, one involving front driver air bag inflators and one involving gross axle weight rating labels on 22-inch wheel vehicles. One fire was reported for the year.

2011 engine problems →2011 fuel system problems →

2005 Infiniti QX56 Index 88 · 80 complaints · 3 recalls

The 2005 QX56 logged 80 complaints and a complaint index of 88, with brakes as the dominant issue at 43% of that year's complaints and a median failure mileage of 92,000. Owners describe violent shaking in the steering wheel and brake pedal along with reduced stopping distance, often tied to rotor wear and replacement. Fuel system problems, at 31% of complaints, centered on inaccurate fuel gauge readings. NHTSA recorded three recall campaigns for 2005, covering an engine control relay, the fuel sender unit, and an air conditioning condenser fan motor. Two crashes and six injuries were reported for the year.

2005 brakes problems →2005 fuel system problems →

2008 Infiniti QX56 Index 75 · 53 complaints · 3 recalls

The 2008 QX56 carries a complaint index of 75 with 53 total complaints, and brakes again lead at 45% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 92,000. Owners report brake pedals that vibrate and fail to engage properly, in some cases while turning at low speed, along with warning lights for the brake, VDC, and ABS systems illuminating together. Electrical system issues made up 21% of complaints. The year had three recalls, addressing airbags, the fuel sender unit, and a brake pedal pivot pin that was not formed to specification. Five crashes and two injuries were reported.

2008 brakes problems →

Most common Infiniti QX56 problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Brakes138 (32%)
Engine107 (25%)
Fuel System72 (17%)
Electrical System58 (13%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires43 (10%)
Other30 (7%)
Transmission & Powertrain27 (6%)
Airbags26 (6%)
Steering17 (4%)
Structure & Body14 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

Which Infiniti QX56 years should I avoid?: NHTSA complaint data flags 2005, 2008, and 2011 as the years to avoid, with complaint index scores of 88, 75, and 100 respectively, the three highest in the lineup.
Is there a best year for the Infiniti QX56?: No QX56 model year earns a Best rating. 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2013 are rated Good, though 2007 and 2009 are capped at Good because complaint records for 2005-2009 are less complete.
What is the most common problem on the Infiniti QX56?: Across all model years, brakes are the top problem area with 138 complaints (32% of the total), followed by engine issues at 107 complaints (25%).
Does the 2011 Infiniti QX56 have engine problems?: Yes. Engine complaints make up 51% of all 2011 complaints, with owners reporting timing chain rattling and repeat catalytic converter failures around a median mileage of 90,000.
How many recalls does the Infiniti QX56 have?: Across the 2005-2013 QX56, NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns total, spread across brakes, fuel system, airbags, and other components.