FaultScore

FaultScore report

2016 Infiniti QX80 problems

Owners have filed 18 complaints about the 2016 Infiniti QX80 with NHTSA between 2016 and 2025. The largest single group is the brakes. Across this model's run it ranks 5 of 10 worst.

C

FaultScore 44/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Infiniti QX80.

How this is worked out

The numbers

18

Complaints

0

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

32,524 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

57%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 50 vs 50 Severity 0 vs 50 Early failure 97 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 50
Against the median year of the Infiniti QX80. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 97
57% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2016 compares with every other Infiniti QX80

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2016 Infiniti QX80

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Brakes 3 16.7%

Median failure at 50,200 miles

Other & Unspecified 2 11.1%

Median failure at 35,500 miles

Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance 2 11.1%
Fuel & Propulsion 2 11.1%

Median failure at 61,262 miles

Airbags 2 11.1%

Median failure at 10,000 miles

Engine & Cooling 2 11.1%

Median failure at 12,528 miles

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 1 5.6%

Median failure at 27,448 miles

Acceleration & Cruise Control 1 5.6%

Median failure at 60,015 miles

Steering 1 5.6%

Median failure at 60,015 miles

Electrical System 1 5.6%

Median failure at 32,524 miles

Transmission & Drivetrain 1 5.6%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

Under 1,000 miles 1 7.1%
1,000 – 9,999 miles 1 7.1%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 2 14.3%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 5 35.7%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 4 28.6%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 1 7.1%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Aug 2016 peak 3 Nov 2025

Recalls on the 2016 Infiniti QX80

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

Canada — Transport Canada

Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.

Recall 2026344 11,868 units in Canada

Label

Issue: On certain vehicles, the compliance label may list the wrong gross axle weight rating (GAWR) information. This could lead you to overload the vehicle and cause poor handling or a tire failure. Note: This recall only affects models equipped with 22-inch wheels. Safety Risk: Poor handling or a tire failure could cause a loss of vehicle control and result in a crash. Corrective Action: The company will notify owners by mail and provide you with a new compliance label. If you'd like help to install it, you can contact a dealer to have it installed free of charge.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Grand Junction, CO

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

I live in a state where it is required to have both front and back plates. When I got my 2016 QX80 it did not have official front plate mounting so I bought a kit and installed the front license plate. Since then I have not had a working sensor. The front collision sensor states there’s an obstruction. I can no longer use cruise control or the front collision safety sensor because the front sensor was brilliantly placed where the plate needs to be installed. Poor design.

NHTSA complaint #11699087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Grand Junction, CO

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

I live in a state where it is required to have both front and back plates. When I got my 2016 QX80 it did not have official front plate mounting so I bought a kit and installed the front license plate. Since then I have not had a working sensor. The front collision sensor states there’s an obstruction. I can no longer use cruise control or the front collision safety sensor because the front sensor was brilliantly placed where the plate needs to be installed. Poor design.

NHTSA complaint #11699087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 27,448 miles New Orleans, LA

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

The contact owns a 2016 Infiniti QX80. The contact stated that while her husband was driving 50 MPH on the interstate, there was an abnormal booming sound coming from the sunroof, and the driver discovered that the sunroof glass had shattered. The contact called the Insurance Company for assistance. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was determined that the sunroof needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired; however, the dealer was in the process of ordering the part to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 27,448.

NHTSA complaint #11656818 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hagatna, GU

POWER TRAIN

Vehicle will not shift pass 3rd gear. Valve body issue, diagnosed by dealership. Many of the same model have the same problem. Vehicles have very low mileage with a problem like this. Dealer refuses to replace part or compensate. Vehicle poses a potential safety issue on the road.

NHTSA complaint #11650820 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Plattsburgh, NY

AIR BAGS

Airbag light keeps coming on and we take it in to be serviced and they say hey it shows low voltage so we tighten down your battery and that fixed it. Then we drive 100 miles and it's back on. Took it to a different dealer and they said the same thing. Another few hundred miles airbag light is on again. Putting my families lives in danger. When we bought this vehicle from Carmax that the same issue and took over 6 weeks before we could pick it up.

NHTSA complaint #11645583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,000 miles Rancho Mirage, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

The contact owns a 2016 Infiniti QX80. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked in the garage, there was an abnormally strong fuel odor inside the garage. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that the Vin was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

NHTSA complaint #11425452 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 32,524 miles Arlington, TN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I PURCHASED A 2016 QX80 LAST WEEK. AFTER FILLING MY CAR WITH FUEL, WITHIN 10 MINUTES, MY GAS GAUGE WENT FROM FULL, TO DOWN 3/4 OF A TANK OF GAS. AFTER ONLY 50 MILES OF DRIVING, WITH NO AIR CONDITIONING ON, I'M AT 1/2 OF A TANK ACCORDING TO MY FUEL GAUGE. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO WAY THAT CAN BE CORRECT.

NHTSA complaint #11372593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 32,524 miles Arlington, TN

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I PURCHASED A 2016 QX80 LAST WEEK. AFTER FILLING MY CAR WITH FUEL, WITHIN 10 MINUTES, MY GAS GAUGE WENT FROM FULL, TO DOWN 3/4 OF A TANK OF GAS. AFTER ONLY 50 MILES OF DRIVING, WITH NO AIR CONDITIONING ON, I'M AT 1/2 OF A TANK ACCORDING TO MY FUEL GAUGE. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO WAY THAT CAN BE CORRECT.

NHTSA complaint #11372593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,200 miles Davie, FL

SERVICE BRAKES

I HAD MY INFINITY 2016 QX 80 FOR 6 MONTHS AND THE BREAKS WENT OUT TO THE FLOOR. I WAS ONLY GOING OVER A SPEED HUMP, LUCKILY. I PULLED OVER AND THE CALIPER WAS AGAINST THE INSIDE OF THE RIM. I WAS TOLD THE PIN FELL OUT. VERY DANGEROUS!

NHTSA complaint #11363222 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,015 miles Lenoir City, TN

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH OUR VEHICLE. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES SINCE NOVEMBER 20, 2019. THE FIRST TIME WE TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP, IT WAS DUE TO IT BOGGING DOWN. THIS HAPPENED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND IN BOTH THE CITY AND INTERSTATE. THE WORST TIME, WAS WHEN WE WERE ON THE INTERSTATE DRIVING AROUND 70 MILES AN HOUR AND WENT TO ACCELERATE TO PASS A VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE BOGGED DOWN AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEY UPDATED THE COMPUTER SOFTWARE AND WE WERE TOLD THIS SHOULD RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. WE PICKED UP THE VEHICLE ON 9/23/19 AND THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO DEMONSTRATE THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 9/25/19. AT THIS TIME, MR. JUNOT RODE WITH A TECHNICIAN AND WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE REPINED THE ECM CONNECTOR AND CLEARED ALL THE CODES. WE WERE ABLE TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE ON 10/3/19. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO DRIVE SLUGGISH AND BOG DOWN. ON 10/15/19, THE CUSTOMER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN THE CITY, WHEN IT BEGAN ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN AND THE STEERING AND BRAKES LOCKED UP. SHE WAS ABLE TO PUT THE CAR INTO PARK AND COAST INTO A PARKING LOT. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CALLED ON 10/16/19 AND WE WERE TOLD TO BRING THE CAR IN ON 10/17/19. THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND CALLED IN A DST SPECIALIST. WE WERE TOLD THAT HE WOULD NOT BE AT THE DEALERSHIP UNTIL MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18TH. [XXX]. MET HIM AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT MORNING. HE TALKED TO THE DST AND REVIEWED ALL THE ISSUES WE HAVE HAD. WE DID NOT RECEIVE A CALL FROM THE DST AND RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM INFINITI STATING THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, SO THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY. MY HUSBAND HAD TO CALL TO GET THE DETAILS OF THE REPORT. WE WERE TOLD WE COULD PICK UP THE VEHICLE ON 10/21/19. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #11281442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,015 miles Lenoir City, TN

STEERING

WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH OUR VEHICLE. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES SINCE NOVEMBER 20, 2019. THE FIRST TIME WE TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP, IT WAS DUE TO IT BOGGING DOWN. THIS HAPPENED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND IN BOTH THE CITY AND INTERSTATE. THE WORST TIME, WAS WHEN WE WERE ON THE INTERSTATE DRIVING AROUND 70 MILES AN HOUR AND WENT TO ACCELERATE TO PASS A VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE BOGGED DOWN AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEY UPDATED THE COMPUTER SOFTWARE AND WE WERE TOLD THIS SHOULD RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. WE PICKED UP THE VEHICLE ON 9/23/19 AND THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO DEMONSTRATE THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 9/25/19. AT THIS TIME, MR. JUNOT RODE WITH A TECHNICIAN AND WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE REPINED THE ECM CONNECTOR AND CLEARED ALL THE CODES. WE WERE ABLE TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE ON 10/3/19. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO DRIVE SLUGGISH AND BOG DOWN. ON 10/15/19, THE CUSTOMER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN THE CITY, WHEN IT BEGAN ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN AND THE STEERING AND BRAKES LOCKED UP. SHE WAS ABLE TO PUT THE CAR INTO PARK AND COAST INTO A PARKING LOT. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CALLED ON 10/16/19 AND WE WERE TOLD TO BRING THE CAR IN ON 10/17/19. THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND CALLED IN A DST SPECIALIST. WE WERE TOLD THAT HE WOULD NOT BE AT THE DEALERSHIP UNTIL MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18TH. [XXX]. MET HIM AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT MORNING. HE TALKED TO THE DST AND REVIEWED ALL THE ISSUES WE HAVE HAD. WE DID NOT RECEIVE A CALL FROM THE DST AND RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM INFINITI STATING THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, SO THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY. MY HUSBAND HAD TO CALL TO GET THE DETAILS OF THE REPORT. WE WERE TOLD WE COULD PICK UP THE VEHICLE ON 10/21/19. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #11281442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,015 miles Lenoir City, TN

SERVICE BRAKES

WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH OUR VEHICLE. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES SINCE NOVEMBER 20, 2019. THE FIRST TIME WE TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP, IT WAS DUE TO IT BOGGING DOWN. THIS HAPPENED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND IN BOTH THE CITY AND INTERSTATE. THE WORST TIME, WAS WHEN WE WERE ON THE INTERSTATE DRIVING AROUND 70 MILES AN HOUR AND WENT TO ACCELERATE TO PASS A VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE BOGGED DOWN AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEY UPDATED THE COMPUTER SOFTWARE AND WE WERE TOLD THIS SHOULD RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. WE PICKED UP THE VEHICLE ON 9/23/19 AND THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO DEMONSTRATE THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 9/25/19. AT THIS TIME, MR. JUNOT RODE WITH A TECHNICIAN AND WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE REPINED THE ECM CONNECTOR AND CLEARED ALL THE CODES. WE WERE ABLE TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE ON 10/3/19. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO DRIVE SLUGGISH AND BOG DOWN. ON 10/15/19, THE CUSTOMER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN THE CITY, WHEN IT BEGAN ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN AND THE STEERING AND BRAKES LOCKED UP. SHE WAS ABLE TO PUT THE CAR INTO PARK AND COAST INTO A PARKING LOT. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CALLED ON 10/16/19 AND WE WERE TOLD TO BRING THE CAR IN ON 10/17/19. THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND CALLED IN A DST SPECIALIST. WE WERE TOLD THAT HE WOULD NOT BE AT THE DEALERSHIP UNTIL MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18TH. [XXX]. MET HIM AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT MORNING. HE TALKED TO THE DST AND REVIEWED ALL THE ISSUES WE HAVE HAD. WE DID NOT RECEIVE A CALL FROM THE DST AND RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM INFINITI STATING THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, SO THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY. MY HUSBAND HAD TO CALL TO GET THE DETAILS OF THE REPORT. WE WERE TOLD WE COULD PICK UP THE VEHICLE ON 10/21/19. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #11281442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 44,000 miles Glendale, AZ

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY BURST WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY. THERE DID NOT APPEAR TO BE ANY OBJECTS THAT HIT THE SUNROOF. THE GLASS LOOKED AS THOUGH IT SHATTERED FROM THE INSIDE OUT. FORTUNATELY, THE SUNROOF COVER WAS CLOSED, OTHERWISE SHARDS OF GLASS WOULD'VE ENDED UP ALL OVER DRIVER AND PASSENGERS. INFINITI DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT COVER REPAIR. DEALERSHIP STATED THIS WAS A RARE THING, BUT UPON MENTIONING SEVERAL REPORTS OF THIS HAPPENING ONLINE, DEALERSHIP STATED ,' WE SEE ABOUT 1 A MONTH'.

NHTSA complaint #11220540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 27,000 miles Thomaston, ME

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE INFINITI QX80 OFFERS A SOS SERVICE FOR THIS VEHICLE, HOWEVER THEY ARE UNABLE TO GET THIS SERVICE TO WORK ON MY VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #11093310 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 20,425 miles Jackson, MS

ENGINE

RETURNING HOME FROM A TRIP TO BIRMINGHAM, AL ON SUNDAY APR 29TH, 2018 AND NOTICED THE AIR WAS NO LONGER COOLING IN THE CAR. MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH INFINITI TO TAKE THE CAR IN TO BE CHECKED OUT ON MONDAY APR 30. UPON GETTING CAR CHECKED OUT WAS TOLD THAT A ROCK ALLEGEDLY WENT THROUGH THE GRILL, SOME HOW MISSED ALL THE OTHER COMPONENTS IN THE CAR AND HIT THE CONDENSER/COOLANT LINE AND CAUSED ALL THE FREON TO RUN OUT OF THE CAR. MIND YOU THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS AND YOU CAN HEAR IF YOUR CAR IS IT BY A ROCK AND NONE OF THAT HAS HAPPENED. SOME FAMILY FRIENDS WITH THE SAME CAR HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR CAR AND WAS TOLD IT WAS HIT BY A ROCK ALSO. HOW LIKELY IS THAT TO HAPPEN, NEED TO INVESTIGATE INFINITI FOR POOR COOLANT LINES AND CHARGING CUSTOMERS FOR ITEMS THAT SHOULD BE UNDER WARRANTY. WAS TOLD REPAIRS WILL COST $1200 AND CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY WITH LESS THAN 21000 MILES. CALLED INFINITI TO COMPLAIN AS OTHERS HAVE AND WAS ONLY GIVEN A REFERENCE NUMBER AND TO WAIT FOR A CALLBACK. OTHERS HAVE BEEN MADE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS AND THIS IS HAPPENING WAY TOO OFTEN AND INFINITI NEEDS TO STEP UP AND OWN THEIR DEFECTIVE PART AND STOP PASSING THE EXPENSE ON TO CUSTOMERS. SHAME ON THEM. POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE AND CUSTOMER RELATIONS.

NHTSA complaint #11091090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 10,000 miles Moseley, VA

AIR BAGS

THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG OCCUPANT SENSOR DOES NOT RECOGNIZE OCCUPANTS CONSISTENTLY. IT WORKS FOR SOME OCCUPANTS SOMETIMES, AND AT OTHER TIMES IT DOESN'T RECOGNIZE THE SAME OCCUPANTS. SHIFTING IN THE SEAT SOMETIMES HAS AN EFFECT AND SOMETIMES DOESN'T. IT HAS BEEN TO THE SELLING DEALER WITH THIS COMPLAINT BUT THE SELLING DEALER STATES IT IS WORKING CORRECTLY. I'VE ATTACHED A PICTURE OF MY 16YO DAUGHTER SITTING IN THE SEAT WHERE YOU CAN SEE THE LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED INDICATING THAT THE AIRBAG IS OFF. SHE MEETS THE WEIGHT LIMIT STATED BY THE DEALER THAT SHOULD TRIGGER THE AIRBAG TO BE ON. THIS HAPPENS NO MATTER IF THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY OR MOVING.

NHTSA complaint #10949979 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 4,632 miles Leander, TX

ENGINE

WHILE IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY ON THE WAY TO OUR SUMMER VACATION, OUR BRAND NEW INFINITI QX80 STARTED SMOKING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THE AIR CONDITIONER WENT OUT. AFTER HAVING THE CAR TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP (AND GETTING A TAXI TO TAKE US TO A RENTAL CAR PLACE) WE WERE TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE HAD COME FROM THE FACTORY WITH AN OIL COOLER WATER HOSE THAT WAS 2 INCHES LONGER THAN STANDARD, CAUSING THE HOSE TO RUB AGAINST THE COOLING FAN BLADE AND SEVERING IT CAUSING ALL COOLANT TO LEAK. INFINITI WILL NOT REIMBURSE US FOR RENTAL CAR COSTS, DESPITE THE CAUSE BEING FACTORY DEFECT.

NHTSA complaint #10943840 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 47 miles Saline, MI

SERVICE BRAKES

THIS VEHICLE HAS A CRASH AVOIDANCE SYSTEM THAT HAS TO BE TURNED ON, I THINK IT SHOULD TURN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED LIKE FCA,GM,FORD AND THE BENDIX SYSTEM WE HAVE IN HD TRUCKS. THE DEALER IS NO HELP.

NHTSA complaint #10897481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.