INFINITI QX56 · model year

2011 INFINITI QX56

94 NHTSA complaints, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2011INFINITIQX56 carries 94 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2011 QX56 is engine with 37 filings, followed by fuel/propulsion system (18) and suspension (9). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 7 investigation files overlapping the 2011 QX56. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

94
Complaints
0
Crashes
3
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

94 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE37
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM18
SUSPENSION9
UNKNOWN OR OTHER8
POWER TRAIN4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD2
STRUCTURE:BODY2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE2
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL1
STEERING1
VISIBILITY/WIPER1
WHEELS1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1

Recalls (1)

20V18800030/03/2020

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2012-2017 NV Cargo and NV Passenger Van, 2013-2015 Titan and Armada and 2011-2012 Infiniti QX56 vehicles. Due to a manufacturing issue, the air bag inflator may not function properly or may rupture during deployment.

Recent Complaints

20240805SUSPENSION

A subframe is a key structural component of every car. As such, it stands to reason that it should last as long as the car itself. Doing much research on this model suspension and subframes become rusted as I didn’t know this when purchasing making it very unsafe . I experienced being involved in almost 2 accidents. Very dangerous. Subframe split in half and suspension. Something needs to be done as a lot of people are going thru this issue and Infiniti slogan claims “new horizons” by no means new horizon going to heaven by driving their vehicles.

20230625ENGINE

Unknown. Timing chain issue. When car is started it makes a noise for about 10 min then goes away

20230602FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Catalytic Converter, A/F Sensor failed on the interstate when I was driving with kids in the car. Took vehicle to the nearest dealer only to be told that this is a known problem with these vehicles and it was going to cost me $3,100 to repair.

20230602ENGINE

Catalytic Converter, A/F Sensor failed on the interstate when I was driving with kids in the car. Took vehicle to the nearest dealer only to be told that this is a known problem with these vehicles and it was going to cost me $3,100 to repair.

20230306SUSPENSION

The rear controls arms and cradle mount were riddled with severe fissures, causing car to sway dramatically. The level of component failure posed a severe safety risk to me. My mechanic was shocked by the amount of failure to these major rear suspension components. I have included photos and receipts for repairs.

20220312ENGINE

I'M CURRENTLY DEALING WITH THE TIMING CHAIN NIGHTMARE SO MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD AND ARE HAVING. OF COURSE JUST AS MOST OF THE OTHERS I'M OUT OF WARRANTY AND REALLY FRUSTRATED THAT INFINITI HASN'T STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM PROPERLY AS OPPOSED TO RENAMING THE QX56 TO QX 80 TO SAVE THEMSELVES, LEAVING CONSUMERS SCRAMBLING WITH EXPENSIVE TIME CONSUMING FIXES TO A KNOWN DEFECT ON THEIR PART. WHERE'S THE ACCOUNTABILITY ON THEIR PART, DO A CERTAIN NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE OR BE INJURED BEFORE THE CONSUMERS ARE PROVIDED WITH THE PROPER ASSISTANCE? WHO REALLY LOOKS OUT FOR US? A recall was done in 2016 obviously they need to expand the Vin number

20220222FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

The contact owns a 2011 Infiniti QX56. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle began to shake and inadvertently stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing the high-pressure fuel tank replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000.

Mileage: 148,000

20220118ENGINE

The contact owns a 2011 Infiniti QX56. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would vibrate violently. Additionally, the vehicle had experienced intermittent power loss and had gone into limp mode. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where it was diagnosed with needing the timing chain replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

Mileage: 140,000

20210507ENGINE

CODE REF TSBNO. 16-015 TIMING CHAINS REPLACEMENT MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND RECALL

Mileage: 161,798

20210507UNKNOWN OR OTHER

CODE REF TSBNO. 16-015 TIMING CHAINS REPLACEMENT MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND RECALL

Mileage: 161,798

20210118FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING MY 2011INFINITI QX56 TO WORK, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE START LOSING POWER AND SHAKING.AFTER CHECKING IT I HAD CODESPOO21,POO87 AND POO90. THE CODES ARE RELATED TO VVT SOLENOID AND HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP.

Mileage: 147,032

20210115ENGINE

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.

Mileage: 67,000

20210115POWER 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.

Mileage: 67,000

20201207SUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 INFINITI QX56. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND INSPECTED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE THAT THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WAS FRACTURED IN HALF. THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR CONTROL ARM ALSO SHOWED EVIDENCE OF A SIMILAR IMMINENT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDNENT MECHANIC WHERE BOTH CONTROL ARMS WERE SCHEDULED TO BE REPLACED. THE PARTS WERE ON ORDER FROM THE MANUFACTURER. LIA INFINITI (860 NEW LOUDON RD, LATHAM, NY 12110, (518) 738-0800) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,500.

Mileage: 96,500

20201204FireAIR BAGS

TIMING CHAIN STARTED RATTLING @ 125,000 MILES.. HOWEVER, MY VIN SHOWS NO RECALL FOR MY CAR. CATS WENT BAD, HAD TO BE REPLACED AND NOW NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. YET NO RECALL ON MY CAR. THE BATTERY CONSTANTLY GOES DEAD IN THE CAR. I BOUGHT A NEW INFINITY BATTERY IN THE CAR THE SAME THING HAPPENED. YOU CAN REPRODUCE THIS PROBLEM BY SITTING IN THE CAR LISTENING TO THE RADIO FOR 30 MINUTES. I WAS SITTING IN THE CAR LISTENING RADIO AND THE CAR BATTERY WENT DEAD AND THE CAR SHUT OFF. THIS IS A HUGE ISSUE, THE QX56 IS A 8 CYLINDER CAR. IT DOES NOT CHARGE VERY EASILY. I HAVE TO CARRY A BATTERY CHARGER IN MY CAR. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO INFINITY AND THEY CLAIM NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. SINCE IT IS A BIG CAR THE BATTERY DRAIN QUICKLY.

Mileage: 130,000

20201204FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TIMING CHAIN STARTED RATTLING @ 125,000 MILES.. HOWEVER, MY VIN SHOWS NO RECALL FOR MY CAR. CATS WENT BAD, HAD TO BE REPLACED AND NOW NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. YET NO RECALL ON MY CAR. THE BATTERY CONSTANTLY GOES DEAD IN THE CAR. I BOUGHT A NEW INFINITY BATTERY IN THE CAR THE SAME THING HAPPENED. YOU CAN REPRODUCE THIS PROBLEM BY SITTING IN THE CAR LISTENING TO THE RADIO FOR 30 MINUTES. I WAS SITTING IN THE CAR LISTENING RADIO AND THE CAR BATTERY WENT DEAD AND THE CAR SHUT OFF. THIS IS A HUGE ISSUE, THE QX56 IS A 8 CYLINDER CAR. IT DOES NOT CHARGE VERY EASILY. I HAVE TO CARRY A BATTERY CHARGER IN MY CAR. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO INFINITY AND THEY CLAIM NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. SINCE IT IS A BIG CAR THE BATTERY DRAIN QUICKLY.

Mileage: 130,000

20201204FireSUSPENSION

TIMING CHAIN STARTED RATTLING @ 125,000 MILES.. HOWEVER, MY VIN SHOWS NO RECALL FOR MY CAR. CATS WENT BAD, HAD TO BE REPLACED AND NOW NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. YET NO RECALL ON MY CAR. THE BATTERY CONSTANTLY GOES DEAD IN THE CAR. I BOUGHT A NEW INFINITY BATTERY IN THE CAR THE SAME THING HAPPENED. YOU CAN REPRODUCE THIS PROBLEM BY SITTING IN THE CAR LISTENING TO THE RADIO FOR 30 MINUTES. I WAS SITTING IN THE CAR LISTENING RADIO AND THE CAR BATTERY WENT DEAD AND THE CAR SHUT OFF. THIS IS A HUGE ISSUE, THE QX56 IS A 8 CYLINDER CAR. IT DOES NOT CHARGE VERY EASILY. I HAVE TO CARRY A BATTERY CHARGER IN MY CAR. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO INFINITY AND THEY CLAIM NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. SINCE IT IS A BIG CAR THE BATTERY DRAIN QUICKLY.

Mileage: 130,000

20201117STRUCTURE:BODY

THE AIR SUSPENSIONS OF THIS SUV GOES OUT. THE WHITE PAINT FOR MY 2011 GX56 IS PEELING ALL OVER THE VEHICLE. AND NEEDS TO BE PAINTED ASAP. THIS VEHICLE IS A LUXURY TRUCK THAT'S PEELING BAD.

20201117SUSPENSION

THE AIR SUSPENSIONS OF THIS SUV GOES OUT. THE WHITE PAINT FOR MY 2011 GX56 IS PEELING ALL OVER THE VEHICLE. AND NEEDS TO BE PAINTED ASAP. THIS VEHICLE IS A LUXURY TRUCK THAT'S PEELING BAD.

20201103ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 INFINITI QX56. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND AND DECELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROADWAY AND TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 82,000.

Mileage: 82,000

Compare 2011INFINITIQX56 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2011 INFINITI QX56 have?
The 2011 INFINITI QX56 has 94 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2011 INFINITI QX56?
Yes, the 2011 INFINITI QX56 has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 INFINITI QX56?
The most-complained component for the 2011 INFINITI QX56 is ENGINE with 37 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM and SUSPENSION.
Is the 2011 INFINITI QX56 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.