2005 Infiniti QX56: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 80 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes (26% of complaints); the 2007 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2010
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 80 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I started to break saw a major traffic jam . And my steering started shaking and my breaks did not Stop like they're supposed to.almost was i huge crash w I th my [XXX] and [XXX] old INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)”Owner report · Steering · Nov 2024
“While driving in residential/business area my vehicle completely lost power and turned off. I drifted to the side of the road without power steering. Tried to start vehicle again. Vehicle would start but would immediately die-would not idle. After resting approx 5 minutes I was able to start again and continue home. This has happened 3 times in the past 2 months. I am terrified to drive this vehicle again. I also cannot keep the drivers side headlight working. Bulbs constantly blow out at over 300.00 dollars each. *tr”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2020
“The vehicle will lose power to the brakes while driving intermittently. When problem occurs you will lose power steering and pressure to braking system. Also the driver hid headlamp gets moisture in it whenever it rains. I have had to replace the hid bulb about 6 times in the past year. Also there seems to be an electrical issue with the onboard computer that causes the tachometer to not work or read correctly.”Owner report · Steering · Jan 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“Every once in a while, seemingly after slow driving where there are many stop signs not too far apart, the brake light comes on, the brake pedal weakens and brake system makes a rattling noise when the pedal is pressed. Then I turn off the vehicle and restart it and all is back to normal until the next time, can be days or sometimes weeks.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Nov 2019
“When driving, the brake light comes on for no reason and causes the brakes to work inappropriately. It becomes very hard to brake. The brakes seem to fall through and there is a grinding sound from the brakes. If I turn the vehicle off, and then back on it works fine. Then it happens again sparatically.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Sep 2019
“Fuel gauge shows 1/4 tank but it is empty. This caused the vehicle to stall on the highway. Very dangerous situation could have occurred. Was able to find safety beside the highway but thankful it did not happen in the middle of a busy highway.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · May 2019
“After driving in stop and go traffic, slow speed with many stops, the brake pedal loses power and begins to pulsate. When this happens, the emergency brake light illuminates on the dashboard. Turming the vehicle on/off seems to reset the car and the issue is resloved.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Sep 2018
“While driving ,I pressed on the brakes and the pedal dropped down and started making a weird noise kind of like loose metal parts and the truck wouldn't stop. The ABS light turned on. It felt like the brakes locked up . I managed to pull to the side of the road and shut the truck off. I turned it back on and it seemed to reset the system. Brake petal raised back up and the check engine light shut off.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Dec 2017
“I was told the vehicle can not have recall performed because it had an aftermarket fuel pump. My dad gave me the vehicle before he past so I'm not sure if some one else has worked on vehicle. The vehicle is causing gas problems that are unsafe. I was told by the dealer to buy a new one put it in then have them do a recall. Please help.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Oct 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 infiniti qx56. While driving approximately 60 mph, the fuel gauge displayed half a tank; however, the vehicle ran out of fuel. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10v074000 (fuel system,other). The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that the VIN was not included in recall and nothing could be done. The approximate failure mileage was 136,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jul 2017
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 6 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 ARMADA, TITAN, INFINITI QX56 AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 FRONTIER, PATHFINDER AND XTERRA VEHICLES. THE INTELLIGENT POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULE (IPDM) ASSEMBLY CONTAINS AN ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) RELAY THAT HAS A DIODE FOR ELECTRICAL CURRENT NOISE REDUCTION. THE ECM RELAY MAY ALLOW SILICON VAPOR TO FORM AND, OVER TIME, THE SILICON EVAPORATES FROM THE DIODE MOLDING WHICH CAUSES SILICON OXIDE TO DEVELOP ON THE ECM RELAY CONTACT DUE TO ARCING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ECM RELAY INSIDE THE IPDM ASSEMBLY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 6, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT AND REAR LOWER LINKS, P/NOS. 54501ZQ00A, 54500ZQ00A, 551A1ZQ00A, 551A0ZQ00A , 54501EA00A, 54500EA00A, 551A1EA500, 551A0EA500, 54501ZR00A, AND 54500ZR00A, SOLD BETWEEN NOVEMBER 25, 2009 AND MAY 14, 2010 AS REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2010 TITAN, ARMADA, AND QX56, AND MODEL YEARS 2005 THROUGH 2010 FRONTIER, XTERRA, AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL LINK ASSEMBLY HAS TWO CYLINDRICAL COLLARS FORMING THE INBOARD ATTACHMENT POINTS TO THE CHASSIS. DUE TO AN IMPROPER WELDING PROCESS SOME COLLARS MAY CONTAIN WELDS THAT DO NOT MEET STRENGTH SPECIFICATIONS.
Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY AFFECTED LOWER LINK FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2009 TITAN, ARMADA, AND INFINITI QX56 VEHICLES. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FUEL GAUGE MAY INACCURATELY DISPLAY THAT THE VEHICLE STILL HAS SOME FUEL, TYPICALLY ABOUT ONE QUARTER TANK, WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS EMPTY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL SENDER UNIT INSIDE THE FUEL TANK WITH A NEW IMPROVED SENDER CARD. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 22, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
NISSAN IS RECALLING 180,664 MY 2005-2006 TITAN, ARMADA AND INFINITY QX56 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED AFTER MARCH 17, 2005, THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH A VISTEON AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER FAN MOTOR. THE FAN MOTOR MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SEALED ALLOWING EXCESSIVE WATER INTRUSION AND INADEQUATE DRAINAGE OF MOISTURE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A 'THERMAL PROTECTOR KIT' AND TEST THE AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER FAN MOTOR AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 2, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2005 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact QX56 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2005 Infiniti QX56 reliable?
NHTSA has 80 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2005 Infiniti QX56. The most complained-about area is service brakes (26% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2005 Infiniti QX56 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 96,500 miles or less.
Does the 2005 Infiniti QX56 have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning engine and engine cooling. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.