YearToAvoid

2008 Infiniti QX56 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

75/100

#3 most-complained of 9 QX56 years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2008 Infiniti QX56 has 53 owner complaints and 3 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 75 out of 100 — #3 highest of 9 QX56 model years (verdict: Avoid). The most reported problem area is brakes (24 complaints, 45% of the total). Complaints report 5 crashes and 2 injuries.

Complaints
53
Recalls
3
Crashes / fires
5 / 0
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
14
12 city / 17.5 hwy

Top 2008 Infiniti QX56 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Brakes24 (45%)
  2. Electrical System11 (21%)
  3. Fuel System9 (17%)
  4. Suspension, Wheels & Tires7 (13%)
  5. Airbags5 (9%)
  6. Engine5 (9%)
  7. Transmission & Powertrain4 (8%)
  8. Other3 (6%)
  9. Steering2 (4%)
  10. Seat Belts1 (2%)
2008 Infiniti QX56 complaints: complaints filed per month6Oct 2008Dec 2011Jan 2014Mar 2015May 2017Jul 2019Feb 2023
73 complaints filed with NHTSA from Oct 2008 to Sep 2026; peak Mar 2015 (6).

2008 Infiniti QX56 recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 10V349000Jul 22, 2010Airbags21 vehicles

    Air bags:side/window

    Nissan is recalling model year 2008 nissan armada and infiniti qx56 vehicles manufactured from february 7, 2007 through february 14, 2007. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 201, "protection in interior impact." an out-of-specification a-pillar finisher might impede the correct inflation of the side curtain air bag near the upper portion of the b-pillar.

    Risk: Incorrect inflation of the side curtain air bag may increase the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant in the event of a crash requiring deployment of that air bag.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace both right and left front pillar finishers free of charge. The safety recall began on august 16, 2010. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

  2. 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.

  3. NHTSA 10V072000Mar 2, 2010Brakes179,383 vehicles

    Service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages

    Nissan is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 titan, armada, and infiniti qx56, and model year 2008-2009 nissan quest vehicles. The brake pedal pivot pin end was not spin-formed to specification during the manufacturing process of the brake pedal assembly. The pivot pin could slide and cause the brake pedal to partially disengage from the brake pedal bracket.

    Risk: The driver will experience unusual and noticeable looseness in the pedal and a reduction in braking force increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect to see if the pivot pin had been formed properly and will replace the brake pedal assembly if necessary free of charge. The safety recall began on march 22, 2010. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

2008 Infiniti QX56 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
12 MPG
Highway
17.5 MPG
Combined
14 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$5,700
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
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.

2008 compared with other QX56 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100200520062007200820092010201120122013
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2006Caution5079314
2007Good1321114
2008Avoid7553314
2009Good07214
2010Good3825214

All Infiniti QX56 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2008 Infiniti QX56 a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2008 Infiniti QX56 ranks #3 of 9 among QX56 model years (Complaint Index 75/100, verdict: Avoid). It has 53 complaints and 3 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Infiniti QX56?
The most reported problem areas are brakes (24 complaints), electrical system (11 complaints), and fuel system (9 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 92,000 miles.
Does the 2008 Infiniti QX56 have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2008 Infiniti QX56, most recently reported 2010, covering airbags, fuel system, and brakes.
What is the fuel economy of the 2008 Infiniti QX56?
EPA rates the 2008 Infiniti QX56 at 14 MPG combined (12 city / 17.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,700. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.