2005 Infiniti QX56 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2005 Infiniti QX56 ranks 2nd worst of 9 model years with a complaint index of 88 and 80 complaints, mostly brake issues (43%). It carries 3 recalls covering engine relay, fuel gauge, and A/C fan motor problems, earning an Avoid verdict.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 88/100
- #2 of 9 QX56 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 80
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 6
- Top issue
- Brakes
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 14
- 12 city / 17.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 0
Top 2005 Infiniti QX56 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes34 (43%)
- Fuel System25 (31%)
- Electrical System9 (11%)
- Engine6 (8%)
- Airbags5 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain5 (6%)
- Other4 (5%)
- Steering4 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (4%)
- Structure & Body1 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Steering wheel and vehicle shake violently when braking, sometimes requiring repeat rotor and brake pad replacement.
- Brake pedal has extended toward the floorboard with increased stopping distance, traced by dealers to ABS issues.
- Vehicle has stalled at highway speed even though the fuel gauge showed more than a quarter tank remaining.
- Fuel gauge has read full when the tank was not actually full, tied to a faulty fuel sending unit.
- Front suspension has broken suddenly while entering a highway, causing loss of control.
- Vehicle has failed to accelerate past 15 mph with RPMs stuck low, linked to a failing throttle body.
2005 Infiniti QX56 recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 10V517000Oct 28, 2010Engine747,480 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling
Nissan is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 armada, titan, infiniti qx56 and model year 2005-2006 frontier, pathfinder and xterra vehicles. The intelligent power distribution module (ipdm) assembly contains an engine control module (ECM) relay that has a diode for electrical current noise reduction. The ECM relay may allow silicon vapor to form and, over time, the silicon evaporates from the diode molding which causes silicon oxide to develop on the ECM relay contact due to arcing.
Risk: This could cause engine stalling increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the ECM relay inside the ipdm assembly. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on december 6, 2010. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
- NHTSA 10V074000Mar 3, 2010Fuel System340,000 vehicles
Fuel system, other:storage:fuel gauge system
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 08V284000Jun 27, 2008Other180,664 vehicles
Equipment:appliance:air conditioner
Nissan is recalling 180,664 my 2005-2006 titan, armada and infinity qx56 vehicles manufactured after march 17, 2005, that are equipped with a visteon air conditioning condenser fan motor. The fan motor may not be properly sealed allowing excessive water intrusion and inadequate drainage of moisture.
Risk: This could cause corrosion in the motor leading possibly to overheating and a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will install a 'thermal protector kit' and test the air conditioning condenser fan motor and replace it if necessary. The recall began on august 2, 2008. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
2005 Infiniti QX56 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 12 MPG
- Highway
- 17.5 MPG
- Combined
- 14 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,650
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other QX56 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Infiniti QX56 reliable?
- NHTSA data shows the 2005 QX56 has a complaint index of 88, the second-worst of the 9 model years covered, with brakes as the top complaint area at 43% of complaints.
- What problems does the 2005 Infiniti QX56 have?
- Owners most often report brake problems (34 complaints, median mileage 92,000) and fuel system issues (25 complaints, median mileage 120,000), including gauge inaccuracy and stalling.
- Does the 2005 Infiniti QX56 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2005 QX56: an engine control module relay issue, a fuel gauge/sender defect, and an air conditioning condenser fan motor seal problem. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- Which QX56 model years are worse or better than 2005?
- The 2011 model year has the highest complaint index at 100 and is also rated Avoid, while 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2013 are rated Good with much lower complaint indexes.