YearToAvoid

2013 Infiniti QX56 Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 20 engine complaints for the 2013 Infiniti QX56, which is 63% of all 32 complaints filed for the year. Median mileage at failure was 110,000. No related recalls are listed in this data.

Engine complaints
20
63% of 32
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
110,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners report a loud whistling or whining noise from the engine at startup, sometimes with loss of power when accelerating up a grade or merging onto a highway.
  • Several owners describe the timing chain loosening or rubbing against another part, producing a loud noise while parked or driving, with one owner told it was ready to break at any time.
  • Multiple owners report catalytic converter failure, often described as a common issue tied to the timing chain problem, with the service engine light coming on.
  • Owners describe the engine misfiring or stalling at speed, including one case where the vehicle stalled at 55 mph with the check engine light flashing.
  • Some owners report a squeaking noise when pressing the accelerator, along with shaking when stopping and hesitation when trying to reach highway speeds.

When 2013 Infiniti QX56 engine complaints were filed

First complaint Feb 26, 2013, latest Aug 9, 2023.

2013 Infiniti QX56 engine complaints: complaints filed per month3Feb 2013Mar 2019Feb 2020Feb 2021Jun 2021Nov 2021Sep 2022Aug 2023
20 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2013 to Aug 2023; peak Mar 2020 (3).

Engine recalls for the 2013 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.

  1. 20056 (8%)
  2. 20067 (9%)
  3. 20070 (0%)
  4. 20085 (9%)
  5. 20090 (0%)
  6. 20100 (0%)
  7. 201140 (51%)
  8. 201229 (51%)
  9. 201320 (63%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine complaints for the 2013 Infiniti QX56?
Engine complaints make up 20 of the 32 total complaints filed for the 2013 QX56, or 63% of all complaints for that year, according to NHTSA data.
Is there a recall for the 2013 Infiniti QX56 engine or timing chain?
This data lists no related recalls for the 2013 QX56, even though some owners mention a recall or dealer repair for timing chain issues in their complaint text.
At what mileage do 2013 QX56 engine problems typically show up?
NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 110,000 at the time of failure for engine-related complaints on the 2013 QX56.
What specific engine problems do 2013 QX56 owners report?
Owners describe timing chain noise and looseness, catalytic converter failure, whining or whistling sounds at startup, and stalling or misfiring while driving.

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.