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2016 Infiniti QX80: problems, recalls and reliability

1 recall and 14 owner complaints on record; most reports concern engine.

Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2026

1
recalls
14
owner complaints
0
fire reports
-
typical failure mileage, mi

All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.

Among the quietest QX80 years (#6 of 7 by complaints, age-adjusted)No fire reports

Common problems

Computed from 14 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.

Limited data: only 14 complaints on record for this model year - too few for percentage statistics. Bars show raw report counts; read them as individual owner reports, not reliability rates. For a fuller picture, check nearby model years.
Engine (engine mechanics)2 complaints
Service Brakes (brakes)2 complaints
Air Bags (airbags and crash sensors)2 complaints
Visibility (windshield, wipers, defroster, mirrors)1 complaint
Power Train (transmission, axles, driveline)1 complaint
Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)1 complaint
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.Owner report · Forward Collision Avoidance · Jun 2025
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.Owner report · Visibility · Apr 2025
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.Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2025
Show 7 more owner reports
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.Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2024
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.Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jul 2021
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.Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2020
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!Owner report · Service Brakes · Oct 2020
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'.Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Apr 2019
The infiniti qx80 offers a sos service for this vehicle, however they are unable to get this service to work on my vehicle.Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Sep 2017
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.Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2017

Recalls - 1 campaign

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS26V455000 · Jul 2026

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Nissan Armada, 2011-2013 Infiniti QX56, and 2014-2027 QX80 vehicles equipped with 22" wheels. The Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) listed on the certification label is incorrect, which can allow the vehicle to be overloaded. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Remedy: Dealers will install new labels, free of charge. Additionally, Nissan will mail replacement labels to owners. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed August 21, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's numbers for this recall are R26B1 and P6A13/4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 16, 2026.

Specifications

Factory options offered for the 2016 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.

Engines5.6L
Cylinders8
FuelGasoline
Body stylesSport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV]

How other years compare

Check your exact QX80 by VIN

Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.

Open VIN decoder

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Infiniti QX80 reliable?

NHTSA has 14 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2016 Infiniti QX80. The most complained-about area is engine.

Does the 2016 Infiniti QX80 have open recalls?

1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning equipment:other:labels. 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.