2012 Infiniti QX56 Engine Problems
NHTSA lists 29 engine complaints for the 2012 Infiniti QX56, 51% of its 57 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 95,000. No related recalls are listed for this engine issue.
- Engine complaints
- 29
- 51% of 57
- Crashes reported
- 0
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 95,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 0
Typical engine symptoms owners report
- Owners report a whining noise at startup followed by engine sputtering, often traced to a stretched timing chain on the fuel pump side.
- Several describe the timing chain rubbing metal against metal, with dealers or independent mechanics identifying it as a known failure pattern.
- Some report sudden stalling at highway speed with no warning, in one case at 5,000 miles and unable to be duplicated by the dealer.
- Owners describe a severe speed drop on the highway paired with the service engine soon light coming on, later diagnosed as a timing chain replacement.
- Multiple complaints mention abnormal noise from the timing chain area requiring replacement of variable valve timing camshaft sprockets.
- Several owners link engine issues to failed catalytic converters, sometimes both, along with recurring battery drain problems.
When 2012 Infiniti QX56 engine complaints were filed
First complaint Oct 27, 2011, latest Mar 4, 2026.
Engine recalls for the 2012 Infiniti QX56
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
Engine complaints by QX56 model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- Is the engine a common problem on the 2012 Infiniti QX56?
- Yes. NHTSA shows 29 engine complaints out of 57 total complaints for the 2012 QX56, or 51% of all complaints filed.
- At what mileage do 2012 QX56 engine problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this engine issue is 95,000 miles.
- Is there a recall for the 2012 QX56 engine or timing chain?
- No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for this engine complaint category.
- Do engine complaints involve crashes or fires?
- No. NHTSA data shows zero crashes, zero fires, and zero injuries among the reported engine complaints for this vehicle.
- How does the 2012 QX56 compare to other years for engine complaints?
- Engine complaints made up 51% of total complaints in both 2011 and 2012, and 63% in 2013, based on NHTSA data across those model years.