FaultScore

Infiniti QX56 transmission problems

30 of the 706 complaints filed about the Infiniti QX56 are about the transmission — 4% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2006.

30

Complaints

4%

Share of all complaints

2

Crashes

0

Fires

Transmission & Drivetrain complaints by model year

2004 QX56 4 13.3%

Median failure at 40,500 miles

2005 QX56 5 16.7%

Median failure at 92,000 miles

2006 QX56 7 23.3%

Median failure at 150,500 miles

2008 QX56 3 10.0%

Median failure at 90,000 miles

2011 QX56 4 13.3%

Median failure at 84,500 miles

2012 QX56 4 13.3%

Median failure at 149,000 miles

2013 QX56 3 10.0%

Median failure at 125,500 miles

What owners said

2013 Infiniti QX56 at 131,000 miles Salisbury, NC

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2013 Infiniti QX56. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she heard an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment while accelerating. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the timing chain. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Infiniti Service Campaign: ITB16-015a (Power Train). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 131,000.

NHTSA complaint #11526996 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Infiniti QX56 at 67,000 miles Sugar Land, TX

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 INFINITI QX56. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CONTINUED DRIVING TO HIS DESTINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER SOUTHWEST INFINITI (10495 SOUTHWEST FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77074, (832) 742-1614) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, 3 YEARS LATER HE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER TO BE REPLACED FOR A SECOND TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 67,000.

NHTSA complaint #11388357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Infiniti QX56 at 171,000 miles Westerville, OH

POWER TRAIN

A WHINE OR HISS WHEN I START THE VEHICLE AND IT GOES AWAY AFTER ABOUT 10-15 MINUTES. IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE A TIMING CHAIN ISSUE BY MY MECHANIC. THERE APPEARS TO BE A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FOR THE 2012 QX56, BUT NOT FOR MY SPECIFIC VIN. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THE NHTSA ALLOWS A MANUFACTURER TO ONLY INCLUDE A PORTION OF THE 2012 MODEL AND NOT OTHERS. THIS IS A SAFETY RECALL! DOES SOMEONE AT THE NHTSA RECONCILE THE 2012 QX56 VEHICLES SOLD VERSUS THE VINS ELIGIBLE TO BE COVERED UNDER THIS SAFETY RECALL NOTICE? OBVIOUSLY, OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM! I SUGGEST THE NHTSA TAKE SAFETY RECALL NOTICES MORE SERIOUS AND HOLD MANUFACTURERS ACCOUNTABLE!!!

NHTSA complaint #11322959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Infiniti QX56 at 200,000 miles Jblm, WA

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 INFINITI QX56. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE AND DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RADIATOR FAILED WHICH CAUSED COOLANT TO MIX WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID AND CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA complaint #11316095 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 Infiniti QX56 at 120,000 miles Williamsville, MO

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 INFINITI QX56. THE CONTACT HEARD A SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN SHE DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. ALSO, THE VEHICLE SHOOK WHEN STOPPING AND HESITATED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE TO HIGHWAY SPEEDS. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CHECKED THE VEHICLE, AFTER MULTIPLE INCIDENT HAPPEN THE NOISE GOT LOUDER AND THE STALLING GOT WORSE THE CONTACT STATED GOT TIMING CHAIN REPAIRED BUT FOUND NO FAILURES. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK IN IF THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED. JOE MACHENS NISSAN (201 NEBRASKA AVE, COLUMBIA, MO 65203, (573) 503-4550) STATED THAT THEY DID NOT PERFORM RECALL REPAIRS AT THEIR FACILITY AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND REFERENCED TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: 16-015; HOWEVER, IT EXPI*BFRED IN FEBRUARY OF 2018. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. *BF

NHTSA complaint #11277068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Infiniti QX56 at 134,000 miles Spokane, WA

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 INFINITI QX56. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS SOON AS THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, IT SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY AND THE TRANSMISSION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE EVER SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED ON DECEMBER 4, 2017. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WENDLE NISSAN (8900 N DIVISION ST, SPOKANE, WA 90218) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000.

NHTSA complaint #11229276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Infiniti QX56 at 158,000 miles Lincoln University, PA

POWER TRAIN

MY 2012 INFINITI SEEMS TO BE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM OTHER INFINITI QX56 OWNERS ARE HAVING. STARTS WITH A LOUD HISSING/WHISTLING SOUND WHICH SEEMS TO GO AWAY AFTER 10-20 MINUTES OF DRIVING AND THE CAR FEELS JUST FINE. TODAY ALL MY DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON AND MY HUSBAND TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE INFINITI DEALER, JUST TO HAVE THE MECHANIC RETURN A FEW MINUTES LATER TO INFORM US IT IS A TIMING CHAIN ISSUE. I AM HUGE ON RESEARCHING AND AFTER A FEW HOURS OF RESEARCH AND REALIZING THAT SOME OF THESE MODELS HAVE HAD RECALLS ISSUED ACCORDING TO VIN# FOR THIS SAME EXACT ISSUE, I AM IN AWE ON WHY THIS RECALL IS ONLY BEING APPLIED TO SPECIFIC VIN #'S AND NOT EVERY SINGLE 2012 QX56 MODEL. EVERY COMPLAINT LISTED ONLINE FROM OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES LIST THE SAME EXACT ISSUE. HOW ARE WE BEING HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR A MORE THAN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURING PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #11219307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Infiniti QX56 at 213,000 miles Calhoun, GA

POWER TRAIN

TIMING BELT AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE CONFIRMED MY INFINITI OF MARIETTA

NHTSA complaint #11203798 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Infiniti QX56 at 140,000 miles Indianapolis, IN

POWER TRAIN

I HAVE ISSUES WITH AIR COMPRESSOR AND TIMING CHAIN THAT JUST RANDOMLY WENT OUT, I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL OR CAMPAIGN FOR IT WITH INFINITI I CALLED INFINITI AND SENT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY STATED IT WAS NOT FOR MY ACTUAL VIN NUMBER BUT FOR SAME CAR WITH DIFFERENT VIN NUMBER, I ASKED THE QUESTION SINCE I AM HAVING THE SAME ISSUE THAT HAS A RECALL ON ANOTHER VIN SAME VEHICLE SHOULDN'T YOUR COMPANY FIX ALL OF THAT YEAR VEHICLES MAKE AND MODEL. I WAS TOLD NO.

NHTSA complaint #11190228 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Infiniti QX56 at 185,000 miles Vineland, NJ

POWER TRAIN

I WAS IN MOTION ON A ROAD WHEN THE UNIVERSAL JOINT BROKE OFF, WITHOUT ANY WARNING, THEN CAUSED THE DRIVE SHAFT TO EXPLODE, UPON PULLING OVER, I DISCOVERED METAL FRAGMENTS IN THE ROAD, AND RED TRANSMISSION FLUID RUNNING OUT OF MY VEHICLE. AFTER A COMPLETE INSPECTION MY VEHICLE IS TOTALED!

NHTSA complaint #11170744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Infiniti QX56 at 167,000 miles Richmond, VA

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 INFINITI QX56. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED, JERKED, LOST POWER, AND STALLED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. PEARSON INFINITI (11701 MIDLOTHIAN TURNPIKE, MIDLOTHIAN, VA 23113, (804) 527-0300) INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V517000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,000.

NHTSA complaint #11163560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 Infiniti QX56 Olathe, KS

POWER TRAIN

TIMING CHAIN REPLACEMENT NEEDED AFTER 80000 MILES

NHTSA complaint #11150715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Infiniti QX56 Maple Grove, MN

POWER TRAIN

RADIATOR CRACKED. INTERIM WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. $5,000 TRANSMISSION REBUILD.

NHTSA complaint #11020599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Infiniti QX56 at 102,000 miles Fairview, TN

POWER TRAIN

FUEL LEVELING SENSOR IS FAULTY IN A LARGE VARIETY OF INFINITI CARS, BUT THERE IS NOT RECALL FOR MY VIN. THE CAR'S FUEL GAUGE GOES UP AND DOWN ALL THE TIME AND TELLS ME I'M ON EMPTY WHEN I'M NOT AND NEVER REGISTERS FULL EVEN WHEN IT WAS JUST FILLED UP. IT CAN JUMP FROM READING 330 MILES LEFT TO EMPTY DOWN TO 299 AND BACK UP TO 330 IN JUST A FEW SECONDS. THE DIAGNOSTIC CONFIRMED A PROBLEM, BUT THEY WANT OVER $1,000 TO FIX A KNOWN PROBLEM IN MANY OF THEIR MAKES AND MODELS. THIS DOESN'T EVEN TOUCH ON THE TIMING CHAIN ISSUE THAT IS FAULTY AS WELL. LUCKILY, THERE IS A RECALL FOR THAT ONE. HOW IS THE CONSUMER PROTECTED AGAINST THIS TYPE OF FAULTY PARTS? IS THERE ANYTHING WE CAN DO? WE HAVE BEEN TOLD WE NEED TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP.

NHTSA complaint #10883600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Infiniti QX56 at 175,000 miles Manalapan, NJ

POWER TRAIN

A 2005 INFINITY QX56 WAS BEING DRIVEN AT 50 MPH ON A HIGHWAY WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION COOLER HOSE RUPTURED RELEASING THE ATF FLUID. THE TRANSMISSION WAS LOSING ATF . LOST THE ABILITY TO PROPEL THE CAR. AT THAT TIME I HAD MY WIFE AND 2 YOUNG CHILDREN IN THE CAR. THE CAR WAS DRIVEN INTO A NEARBY SHOPPING PLAZA PARKING LOT AND WAS UNABLE TO MOVE AFTER THAT POINT. THE RUPTURE COULD HAVE LEAD TO A CRASH SITUATION. THE INCIDENT CAUSED A SHORT TERM FRICTION MATERIAL FAILURE WEEK LATER. THE HOSE WAS REPLACED AND TRANSMISSION CLEANED AND FLUSHED. THE TRANSMISSION WORKED UNTIL JUNE 3 , 2014. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT TO 4TH GEAR AT 55 MPH ON A INTERSTATE, HAD TO PULL OVER AND TOW THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC SHOP, WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE REPLACED OR TOTALLY REBUILD..... BOTH INCIDENTS COULD EASILY HAVE CAUSED A CRASH.

NHTSA complaint #10606804 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Infiniti QX56 Dixon, IL

POWER TRAIN

MY QUESTION IS SOMEWHAT IRRELEVANT NOW, SEEING THAT THE DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLES IS ALREADY DONE. I HAVE OWNED TWO VEHICLES MADE BY NISSAN, A 2004 ARMADA LE AND NOW A 2008 INFINITI QX56. ON BOTH OF THESE UNITS THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL PINION SEAL LEAKED CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL BEARINGS. I HAVE HEARD OF MANY OTHERS EXPERIENCING THIS SAME PROBLEM. Q. CAN YOU PLEASE TELL ME WHY THIS ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED BY NISSAN? IT'S OBVIOUS THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM (AMONG MANY OTHERS WITH THIS VEHICLE) THAT NISSAN CHOOSES TO IGNORE.

NHTSA complaint #10588769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Infiniti QX56 at 70,000 miles Salibury, MD Crash

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 INFINITY QX56. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SHIFTING INTO PARK WITH THE ENGINE TURNED ON AND EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY ROLLED AWAY AND CRASHED INTO A NEARBY BUILDING WITHIN TEN MINUTES. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE SHIFTER LEVER WAS STILL ENGAGED IN PARK AFTER THE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT NO INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED TO THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA complaint #10560888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Infiniti QX56 at 118,813 miles Mchenry, IL

POWER TRAIN

A 2005 INFINITY QX56 WAS BEING DRIVEN AT 35 MPH ON A TWO LANE ROAD WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION COOLER RUPTURED INSIDE THE RADIATOR RELEASING THE ATF FLUID INTO THE RADIATOR. THE TRANSMISSION WAS LOSING ATF THROUGH THE RADIATOR'S PRESSURE RELIEF POINTS AN LOST THE ABILITY TO PROPEL THE CAR WITHIN ONE BLOCK. THE CAR WAS DRIVEN INTO A NEARBY DRIVE AND WAS UNABLE TO MOVE AFTER THAT POINT. THE RUPTURE COULD HAVE LEAD TO A CRASH SITUATION. THE SECOND PART OF INCIDENT IS THE COOLANT CONTAMINATED THE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSED A SHORT TERM FRICTION MATERIAL FAILURE 4 MONTHS LATER. THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED AND TRANSMISSION CLEANED AND FLUSHED. THE TRANSMISSION WORKED UNTIL AUGUST 20, 2013. THE TRANSMISSION LOST CONTACT WITH 5TH BAND AT 60 MPH ON A INTERSTATE AND WAS NO LONGER PROPELLING THE CAR. A SHIFT INTO THE 4TH BAND GOT THE CAR OFF THE ROAD AND IT WAS TOWED FOR REPAIR. THE ANTIFREEZE HAD DISSOLVED THE FRICTION MATERIAL CONSTRUCTION AND CORRODED VALVE PARTS. IT WAS REBUILT AND THE DESTRUCTION CONFIRMED. BOTH INCIDENTS COULD EASILY HAVE CAUSED A CRASH. INFINITY SENT US NO WARNING AND SAY THERE IS NO PROBLEM OR RECALL. THE REPAIR SHOP HAS REPAIRED 5 OTHER INFINITY QX56 CARS FOR THE SAME FAILURES BEFORE MY CAR WAS REPAIRED. NISSAN N. AMERICA HAS SIMILAR FAILURES IN THE PATHFINDER MODEL,AS CONFIRMED BY TWO INDEPENDENT TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOPS CONTACTED. A WARNING: IF COOLANT DRIPS ARE NOTICED UNDER THE RADIATOR CHECK THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION COOLING LINE CONNECTIONS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE RADIATOR, IF THE ARE WET AND OR LEAKING COOLANT, HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A SHOP AND CHECKED FOR PROBLEM. CATCHING THIS PROBLEM AT THIS POINT MAY ONLY REQUIRE THE RADIATOR TO BE REPLACED, AND NO CRASH HAZARD.

NHTSA complaint #10544082 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Infiniti QX56 at 92,000 miles SAN Diego, CA

POWER TRAIN

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY I NOTICED THAT THE TACHOMETER CONTINUED RISING INSTEAD OF GOING UP AND DOWN WITH THE SPEED. BY THE TIME I GOT HOME THE GAUGE WAS FACING STRAIGHT DOWN, STUCK IN THAT POSITION. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND ON TO SEE IF IT WOULD CHANGE THE GAUGE, BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. NEXT I PUT THE CAN IN PARK, SET THE PARKING BRAKE AND HIT THE ACCELERATOR AND THE GAUGE BEGAN TO SLOWLY MOVE BACKWARDS, AFTER DOING THIS A FEW TIMES THE GAUGE MOVED BACK AROUND SLOWLY. AFTER DOING THIS 5 TIMES THE GAUGE IS JUST TO THE LEFT OF THE RED AREA. NO PROBLEMS WITH THE BATTERY, IT IS ONLY 4MONTHS OLD. THE TRANSMISSION FELT AS THOUGH IT WAS SHIFTING PROPERLY, AND THERE IS NOT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON OR ANY OTHER PROBLEMS BESIDES THE GAUGE.

NHTSA complaint #10501472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Infiniti QX56 at 69,000 miles Elmont, NY

POWER TRAIN

MY WIFE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO AND FROM WORK WITH NO VISIBLE PROBLEM AND PARKED IT IN THE DRIVE. THE NEXT DAY I WAS ABLE TO BACK OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY BUT WHEN I PUT THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE I NOTICED THAT THE ATS LIGHT IS ON AND IT IS STRUGGLING TO MOVE FORWARD. THE MANUAL SAYS TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER IF THE ATS LIGHT IS ON SO I HAD AAA FLAT BED IT TO MY LOCAL INFINITI DEALER. AFTER CHECKING THE VEHICLE I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE A LEAKING RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION AT A COST OF ALMOST $5,000.00 SINCE MY VEHICLE WAS A FEW MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY EVEN THOUGHT I WAS UNDER THE MILEAGE LIMIT OF 70K. I TOOK IT TO AN INDEPENDENT TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON AND WELL KNOWN DEFECT WITH NISSAN/INFINITI SUV'S WHERE A DEFECTIVE RADIATOR CAN CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND COOLANT TO MIX AND RUIN THE TRANSMISSION. A QUICK SEARCH ON GOOGLE CONFIRMED THAT THERE IS IN FACT NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH INFINITI USA AND WAS TOLD THAT SINCE MY VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY THERE IS NOTHING THEY COULD OR WOULD DO ABOUT THE SITUATION. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN THE TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP GETTING THE NECESSARY REPAIRS DONE.

NHTSA complaint #10499399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Infiniti QX56 problems