YearToAvoid

2016 Infiniti QX80 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Good The 2016 Infiniti QX80 has a complaint index of 45, ranking 7th of 12 model years, with a Good verdict. It logged 14 complaints and 1 recall, with brakes and engine issues most common.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
45/100
#7 of 12 QX80 years
Verdict
Good
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
14
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
0
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Top issue
Brakes
Best nearby year
2020
rated Good
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
16
14 city / 19.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Top 2016 Infiniti QX80 problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Brakes3 (21%)
  2. Engine3 (21%)
  3. Airbags2 (14%)
  4. Fuel System2 (14%)
  5. Other2 (14%)
  6. Electrical System1 (7%)
  7. Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (7%)
  8. Steering1 (7%)
  9. Transmission & Powertrain1 (7%)
  10. Visibility & Wipers1 (7%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Brake calipers can drag against the rim after a pin falls out, causing loss of braking near a speed hump, reported around a median of 50,200 miles.
  • Engine cooling issues appear, including a factory oil cooler hose that was too long, causing smoke and air conditioner failure at low mileage.
  • Passenger side airbag occupant sensors fail to consistently detect occupants, sometimes affected by shifting in the seat.
  • Fuel gauge readings jump erratically, dropping from full to a quarter tank within minutes of fueling, reported around 32,524 miles.
  • Strong fuel odor detected while parked in a garage with no warning light illuminated.
  • Transmission fails to shift past third gear due to a valve body issue at low mileage.
2016 Infiniti QX80 complaints: complaints filed per month1Aug 2016Feb 2017May 2018Nov 2019Nov 2020Feb 2025Apr 2025
14 complaints filed with NHTSA from Aug 2016 to Nov 2025; peak Aug 2016 (1).

2016 Infiniti QX80 recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign 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.

2016 Infiniti QX80 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
14 MPG
Highway
19.5 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.

2016 compared with other QX80 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2014Caution6421416
2015Caution7318216
2016Good4514116
2017Avoid8217115.5
2018Caution559215.5

All Infiniti QX80 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Infiniti QX80 a good year to buy?
Yes, relative to other QX80 years. It carries a complaint index of 45 and ranks 7th worst of 12 years tracked, earning a Good verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Infiniti QX80?
Brakes and engine issues each account for 3 complaints (21% share each), followed by airbags and fuel system issues at 2 complaints each (14% share).
Does the 2016 Infiniti QX80 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2016 QX80, covering incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating labels on vehicles with 22-inch wheels; it is not a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2016 QX80 compare to other years?
The 2016 model's complaint index of 45 is lower than 2014 (64), 2015 (73), 2017 (82), 2019 (91), and 2025 (100), all of which rate Caution or Avoid.
What is the median mileage for reported failures in the 2016 QX80?
NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 27,448 miles across complaints for this model year.

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.