YearToAvoid

2012 Infiniti QX56 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

63/100

#4 most-complained of 9 QX56 years

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

The 2012 Infiniti QX56 has 57 owner complaints and 3 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 63 out of 100 — #4 highest of 9 QX56 model years (verdict: Caution). The most reported problem area is engine (29 complaints, 51% of the total). Complaints report 1 crash.

Complaints
57
Recalls
3
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
16
14 city / 20 hwy

Top 2012 Infiniti QX56 problems

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

  1. Engine29 (51%)
  2. Electrical System9 (16%)
  3. Fuel System7 (12%)
  4. Other6 (11%)
  5. Airbags5 (9%)
  6. Structure & Body4 (7%)
  7. Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (7%)
  8. Transmission & Powertrain4 (7%)
  9. Brakes3 (5%)
  10. Seat Belts1 (2%)
2012 Infiniti QX56 complaints: complaints filed per month4Oct 2011Sep 2015Nov 2016Sep 2018Apr 2019Jan 2020Mar 2021Nov 2022
72 complaints filed with NHTSA from Oct 2011 to Jun 2026; peak Mar 2018 (4).

2012 Infiniti QX56 recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 26V455000Jul 15, 2026Other168,149 vehicles

    Equipment:other:labels

    Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Nissan Armada, 2011-2013 Infiniti QX56, and 2014-2027 QX80 vehicles equipped with 22" wheels. The Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) listed on the certification label is incorrect, which can allow the vehicle to be overloaded. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

    Risk: An overloaded vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will install new labels, free of charge. Additionally, Nissan will mail replacement labels to owners. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed September 2, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated Fall 2026. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's numbers for this recall are R26B1 and P6A13/4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 16, 2026.

  2. NHTSA 20V188000Mar 30, 2020Airbags216,678 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

    Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2012-2017 NV Cargo and NV Passenger Van, 2013-2015 Titan and Armada and 2011-2012 Infiniti QX56 vehicles. Due to a manufacturing issue, the air bag inflator may not function properly or may rupture during deployment.

    Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or Infiniti customer service at 1-800-662-6200.

  3. NHTSA 14V683000Nov 28, 2014Fuel System133,592 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline

    Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Nissan Juke, 2012-2013 Infiniti M56, QX56, and 2014-2015 Infiniti Q70 (V8 engine vehicles only), and QX80 vehicles. The fuel pressure sensors may not have been sufficiently tightened during production. As a result, the fuel pressure sensor may loosen with vehicle usage and cause a fuel leak.

    Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source could cause a vehicle fire.

    Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will re-torque the fuel pressure sensors free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

2012 Infiniti QX56 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
14 MPG
Highway
20 MPG
Combined
16 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$5,000
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.

2012 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
2010Good3825214
2011Avoid10078216
2012Caution6357316
2013Good2532316

All Infiniti QX56 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Infiniti QX56 a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2012 Infiniti QX56 ranks #4 of 9 among QX56 model years (Complaint Index 63/100, verdict: Caution). It has 57 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 2012 Infiniti QX56?
The most reported problem areas are engine (29 complaints), electrical system (9 complaints), and fuel system (7 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 84,278 miles.
Does the 2012 Infiniti QX56 have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2012 Infiniti QX56, most recently reported 2026, covering other, airbags, and fuel system.
What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Infiniti QX56?
EPA rates the 2012 Infiniti QX56 at 16 MPG combined (14 city / 20 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,000. 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.