INFINITI QX56 · model year

2012 INFINITI QX56

70 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2012INFINITIQX56 carries 70 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall Not Rated/5 rating, with Not Rated/5 front crash, Not Rated/5 side crash, and Not Rated/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2012 QX56 is engine with 24 filings, followed by electrical system (9) and fuel/propulsion system (7). 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 2 active recall campaigns, 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 2012 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.

70
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

70 filings

Crashes Reported

1 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: Not Rated/5 — Not rated · Front: Not Rated/5 · Side: Not Rated/5 · Rollover: Not Rated/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE24
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM9
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM7
UNKNOWN OR OTHER6
AIR BAGS5
POWER TRAIN4
SUSPENSION3
STRUCTURE:BODY3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING2
SERVICE BRAKES2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC1
SEAT BELTS1
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR1

Recalls (2)

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.

14V68300028/11/2014

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Nissan Juke, 2012-2013 Infiniti M56, QX56, and 2014-2015 Infiniti Q70 (V8 engine vehicles only), and QX80 vehicles. The fuel pressure sensors may not have been sufficiently tightened during production. As a result, the f

Recent Complaints

20230407SUSPENSION

While driving at highway speed, rear of vehicle suddenly became uncontrolled and caused vehicle to swerve dangerously. If a vehicle would have been in the adjacent lane an accident would have occurred. Upon initial inspection, the left rear lower control arm failed catastrophically due to rust rendering the vehicle undrivable. Driver and passenger were put at risk as a result of this incident. Deeper inspection revealed the right rear control arm was also compromised due to rust as well as the two forward mounting points of the modular rear suspension cradle (framework). No warning lights appeared, however the steering wheel did begin correcting to the right just prior to event, similar to heavy wind situation. Parts have not been inspected by manufacturer. Pictures attached. Parts are available for inspection upon request.

20221104UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I have an engine light on as a result of 2 bad catalytic converters that need to be replaced. The vehicle has been inspected the infinite dealer maintenance dept. This poses a safety risk of this vehicle shutting down in the midst of driving

20220527ENGINE

The contact owns a 2012 Infiniti QX56. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle started shaking violently. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the timing chain to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and continued to experience the failure. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.

Mileage: 87,000

20220421ENGINE

I got Code : P0011 (my mechanic said that timing chain has to be replaced) I saw that Infiniti run the campaign as below : Dated July 15, 2016 VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN 2011 – 2013 QX56 AND M56; TIMING CHAIN CAMPAIGN ID #: P6305 APPLIED VEHICLES: 2011-2013 QX56 (Z62) 2011-2013 M56 (Y51) Check Service Comm to confirm campaign eligibility 2011-2013 QX56 IMPORTANT: The following service procedure for 2011-2013 QX56 is an abbreviated version of the Electronic Service Manual (ESM) procedure to replace the timing chains and related components. The Claims Information is based on this abbreviated procedure. I called Infiniti and they said that this campaign was for limited time and we called you but i never heard or aware about this otherwise I would have got it done . I have all the service record serviced everything from Infiniti dealer and the best maintanace Apart from that I get below code also which is makes me to think I did mistake buying Infiniti. P0300 P0011 C1118 C1130 C1A

20220421UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I got Code : P0011 (my mechanic said that timing chain has to be replaced) I saw that Infiniti run the campaign as below : Dated July 15, 2016 VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN 2011 – 2013 QX56 AND M56; TIMING CHAIN CAMPAIGN ID #: P6305 APPLIED VEHICLES: 2011-2013 QX56 (Z62) 2011-2013 M56 (Y51) Check Service Comm to confirm campaign eligibility 2011-2013 QX56 IMPORTANT: The following service procedure for 2011-2013 QX56 is an abbreviated version of the Electronic Service Manual (ESM) procedure to replace the timing chains and related components. The Claims Information is based on this abbreviated procedure. I called Infiniti and they said that this campaign was for limited time and we called you but i never heard or aware about this otherwise I would have got it done . I have all the service record serviced everything from Infiniti dealer and the best maintanace Apart from that I get below code also which is makes me to think I did mistake buying Infiniti. P0300 P0011 C1118 C1130 C1A

20220203ENGINE

The contact owns a 2012 Infiniti QX56. The contact stated that while driving at high speeds, the vehicle shook and then lost motive power. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnosed with fuel pump failure. The dealer informed the contact that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with timing chain failure. The independent mechanic informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

20210805ENGINE

I own a 2012 QX56. Check engine light comes on and I take it to the dealer. It's the Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (catalytic covers - P0430 code) I was warned before I bought this vehicle about the cats going bad. Infiniti dealer, that I purchased the truck from said "this vehicle has been serviced at an Infiniti dealer since day one. Every possible service that was needed was completed. The owner took immaculate car of this truck. You won't have any issues." So tell me, if this vehicle was driven exactly how it was supposed to be and yet at 113K miles the cats go bad, why isn't there a recall?? This is a "top of the line SUV" and yet it needs $4500.00+ in engine repairs at just over 113K miles. Infiniti needs to step up and take responsibility for this issue. If dealerships are warning you about this issue, obviously there is a KNOWN issue.

20210615ENGINE

My 2012 Infiniti QX56 has a loud rattling noise coming from the engine. This started around Oct 2020 and comes and go. It has got worse over the last month or so and has started stalling and acting like it doesn't want to go. A few times the car will start shaking while I'm driving. It has been checked out and codes for converter and timing chain are there. Engine light is on. I drive this car with my 2 children and am afraid of the safety issue. I know there is numerous others having these same 2 issues with my year and make of car. Spoke with Infiniti Corp. and they will not do anything about it because my VIN is not under the recall. However, the vehicles with this issue that have been repaired under the recall have the same engine and same issues that I'm having. I think all vehicles in 2012 regardless of VIN should be under the recall as I'm seeing so many with these issues.

20210316ENGINE

HAD NO PRIOR ISSUES, DRIVING DOWN THE HWYAT 65 MILES PER HR.. CAR FAILED. COSTED TO SIDE OF ROAD MADE IT TO REPAIR SHOP AND THE FUEL PUMP WENT OUT, WHICH AFFECTED THE TIMMING CHAIN AND BROKE THE TEETH, WHICH HAS AFFECTED THE MOTOR. THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT THAT HUNDRED OTHER FOLKS ARE HAVING. I COULD HAVE LOST MY LIFE WITH THIS VEHICLE

Mileage: 130

20210316FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

HAD NO PRIOR ISSUES, DRIVING DOWN THE HWYAT 65 MILES PER HR.. CAR FAILED. COSTED TO SIDE OF ROAD MADE IT TO REPAIR SHOP AND THE FUEL PUMP WENT OUT, WHICH AFFECTED THE TIMMING CHAIN AND BROKE THE TEETH, WHICH HAS AFFECTED THE MOTOR. THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT THAT HUNDRED OTHER FOLKS ARE HAVING. I COULD HAVE LOST MY LIFE WITH THIS VEHICLE

Mileage: 130

20210301AIR BAGS

MY AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS THE PROBLEM. THE ISSUE THAT THEY REPORTED TO ME WAS "PAST CODE FOR AIR BAG PASSENGER SIDE: WILL NEED TO REPLACE DIAGNOSTICS MODULE TO BEGIN DIAGNOSIS."

20201102STRUCTURE:BODY

THE PAINT ON MY 2012 QX 56 INFINITI IS PEELING REALLY BAD. I'VE SPOKE WITH SOMEONE AT THE COOPERATE LEVEL AND WAS TOLD THEIR WAS A RECALL ON THEM. THE DEALERSHIP WAS SUPPOSE TO REPAINT THE WHOLE VEHICLE, BUT I WAS NEVER CONTACTED. WHEN I SPOKE TO THE ASSOCIATE & MANGER, I WAS TOLD THERE WASN'T ANYTHING THEY COULD DO.

20200914STRUCTURE:BODY

THE PAINT IS PEELING OFF THE TOP OF THE ROOF ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BY THE ROOF RACKS, IN FRONT BY THE WINDSHIELD THERE IS A SPOT THAT IS LARGER THAN A HALF DOLLAR AND ON THE DRIVER SIDE REAR A SPOT ABOUT 6-8 INCHES IN DIAMETER.

20200602CrashAIR BAGS

AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

Mileage: 12,000

20200508ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 INFINITI QX56. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY FAILED PREMATURELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER, AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE CODE THEREFORE, THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE UNKNOWN DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BATTERY FAILURE COULD BE CAUSED BY PARASITIC DRAIN OR A RELAY FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.*DT*JB

Mileage: 83,000

20200505UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I TOOK MY 2012 QX56 INFINITI TO INFINITI IN AUSTIN TEXAS AND THEY TOLD ME BOTH OF MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER OR OUT THIS NEED TO BE A RECALL ISSUE WANT ME TO SPEND OVER $4,000 FOR BOTH TO REPLACE. *TR

Mileage: 97,000

20200501POWER 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!!!

Mileage: 171,000

20200217STRUCTURE:BODY

MY WIFE DROVE TO MY DAUGHTERS SCHOOL SCHOOL FOR A BASKETBALL PRACTICE. SHE LOCKED THE DOORS USING THE KEYFOB LIKE ALWAYS. WHEN SHE GOT BACK TO THE CAR SHE UNLOCK THE DOORS USING THE KEYFOB, BUT THIS TIME THE DRIVERS DOOR DID NOT OPEN. SHE TRIED USING THE DOOR ENTRY BUTTON ON THE HANDLE WHICH DID NOT WORK. SHE THEN GOT IN THRU THE PASSENGER DOOR AND TRIED TO PULL THE HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR AND THAT DID NOT WORK. FROM THE INSIDE OF THE CAR SHE HAD TO CLIMB OVER THE CENTER CONSOLE TO GET INTO THE DRIVER SEAT. I CHECKED THE OPERATION MYSELF WHEN SHE GOT HOME AND I COULD NOT FIND A WAY TO OPEN THE DOOR. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I FOUND THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE DESIGN OF THE PLASTIC ACTUATOR AND ITS COMPONENT. WITH THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVING THIS PROBLEM, I AM SURPRISED THERE ISN'T A RECALL SIMILAR TO THE TAKATA AIRBAGS SINCE THIS WOULD NO PASS AN INSPECTION AND WOULD BE A HAZARD IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT

Mileage: 100,000

20200217ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY WIFE DROVE TO MY DAUGHTERS SCHOOL SCHOOL FOR A BASKETBALL PRACTICE. SHE LOCKED THE DOORS USING THE KEYFOB LIKE ALWAYS. WHEN SHE GOT BACK TO THE CAR SHE UNLOCK THE DOORS USING THE KEYFOB, BUT THIS TIME THE DRIVERS DOOR DID NOT OPEN. SHE TRIED USING THE DOOR ENTRY BUTTON ON THE HANDLE WHICH DID NOT WORK. SHE THEN GOT IN THRU THE PASSENGER DOOR AND TRIED TO PULL THE HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR AND THAT DID NOT WORK. FROM THE INSIDE OF THE CAR SHE HAD TO CLIMB OVER THE CENTER CONSOLE TO GET INTO THE DRIVER SEAT. I CHECKED THE OPERATION MYSELF WHEN SHE GOT HOME AND I COULD NOT FIND A WAY TO OPEN THE DOOR. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I FOUND THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE DESIGN OF THE PLASTIC ACTUATOR AND ITS COMPONENT. WITH THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVING THIS PROBLEM, I AM SURPRISED THERE ISN'T A RECALL SIMILAR TO THE TAKATA AIRBAGS SINCE THIS WOULD NO PASS AN INSPECTION AND WOULD BE A HAZARD IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT

Mileage: 100,000

20200213AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 INFINITY QX56. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG COVER WAS CRACKING. THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND THE ISSUE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE AIR BAG COULD DEPLOY WITHOUT WARNING SINCE IT WAS CRACKED AND POSSIBLY INJURIE THE PASSENGER. THE CONTACT WENT TO INFINITI OF CORAL GABLES (2701 S LE JEUNE RD CORAL GABLES, FL 33134 (786) 899-5127) WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE OR DIAGNOSES AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Mileage: 80,000

Compare 2012INFINITIQX56 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2012 INFINITI QX56 have?
The 2012 INFINITI QX56 has 70 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2012 INFINITI QX56?
The 2012 INFINITI QX56 received an overall NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5, front crash rating of Not Rated/5, side crash rating of Not Rated/5, and rollover rating of Not Rated/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2012 INFINITI QX56?
Yes, the 2012 INFINITI QX56 has 2 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 2012 INFINITI QX56?
The most-complained component for the 2012 INFINITI QX56 is ENGINE with 24 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM.
Is the 2012 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. The 2012 INFINITI QX56 has an NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5. 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.