2006 Infiniti QX56: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 79 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes (53% 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 79 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“My vehicle stalling all time which is very dangerous especially when I m driving on highway . More than 10 times I almost crash my vehicle.”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2021
“Suv will have trouble braking, emitting a loud, grinding noise when brakes are applied. Diffiulty stopping. Almost caused a wreck twice now. Once vehicle is turned off and back on, the situation seems to stop. Happens periodically. First time had brakes, rotors redone in case there was an issue, though there did not seem to be according to the mechanic. Has continued to do it a few additional time. Took it into infiniti dealer. Was told it was the brake vacuum booster. This item has been recalled on other 2004-2008 infiniti qx-56 and nissan armadas. Was told that my car was not on the 'recall' list.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Sep 2020
“Difficulty stopping. Pinging noise. Replaced the brakes but didn't fix the issue. Very dangerous as it's very hard to brake and brake light comes on. Happened a couple times and it seems to reset once the car is shut off! Very scary. Happens out of the blue.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jul 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2020
“While in motion the brake pedal feels loose and there is a grinding noise. The braking power loses function, the red brake light turns on and you have to pull over as safely as possible to turn off the vehicle for it to reset itself. I only learned that it will reset itself when you turn off the vehicle after the first time it happened to me on a street. Since then it has happened on several occasions while on the highway and freeway. The first time it happened was about 2 years ago and most recently 1 week ago.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Dec 2019
“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.”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2019
“I have owned the car since it was new. When the car idles for long time, high traffic or run in a long distance, the brake light comes on, slip light and the brakes chatter and stopping car becomes almost impossible. Numerous trips to the dealer over the year has produced no fixes....replaced sensor, brake boosters, brake pads, fluid changes, in essence practically an entirely new braking system with no positive results. This is major issue!!! I can not believe that nothing has been done, likely because it can not be replicated on demand. Someone will get hurt and then someone might listen.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Apr 2019
“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!”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2018
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2018
“My 2006 infiniti qx56 driver side manifold has cracked 4 times in 6 months. Each time it has cracked I was just driving normal road conditions. I have fixed it 4 times and am curious if this has anything to do with a prior recall on the arm suspension.”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2018
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 2006 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 2006 Infiniti QX56 reliable?
NHTSA has 79 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2006 Infiniti QX56. The most complained-about area is service brakes (53% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2006 Infiniti QX56 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 93,321 miles or less.
Does the 2006 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.