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2004 Infiniti QX56

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2004 Infiniti QX56 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 55.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

92 reports with mileage · 14 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Service Brakes. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

16 reports
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167,000 miles · Aug 30, 2018
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 INFINITI QX56. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. IN ADDITION, THE FUEL GAUGE AND OTHER GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DISPLAYED INACCURATE INFORMATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (INFINITI OF ELK GROVE, 8586 LAGUNA GROVE DR, ELK GROVE, CA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 INFINITI QX56. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. IN ADDITION, THE FUEL GAUGE AND OTHER GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DISPLAYED INACCURATE INFORMATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (INFINITI OF ELK GROVE, 8586 LAGUNA GROVE DR, ELK GROVE, CA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE PART WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,000.

NHTSA ODI #11123515

139,000 miles · Aug 8, 2016
Electrical SystemSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 INFINITI QX56. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IPDM BOX FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 INFINITI QX56. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IPDM BOX FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS A MANUFACTURERS RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000.

NHTSA ODI #10893911

120,000 miles · Feb 13, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Suspension

I REPLACE MY ALTANATOR AND ALWAYS HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE RPM GAUGE? IT DOSE NOT MOVE OR SOMETIMES STAYS AT THE 6/7 AND AS OF RECENTLY THE CAR LOOSES POWER AND ALMOST CRASHED ON THE FREEWAY ALSO I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN 2014

NHTSA ODI #10825937

130,000 miles · Sep 4, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed ControlCrash

THE VEHICLE DIED WHEN AT A STOP LIGHT AND ROLLED BACK HITTING THE CAR BEHIND US. I LOOKED ON YOUR WEBSITE AND APPARENTLY IT WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) IN THE INTELLIGENT POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULE (IPDM). THIS APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN RECALLED ON ALL 2004 TO 2006 INFINITI QX56 VEHICLES, HOWEVER, I RECEIVED N…

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THE VEHICLE DIED WHEN AT A STOP LIGHT AND ROLLED BACK HITTING THE CAR BEHIND US. I LOOKED ON YOUR WEBSITE AND APPARENTLY IT WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) IN THE INTELLIGENT POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULE (IPDM). THIS APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN RECALLED ON ALL 2004 TO 2006 INFINITI QX56 VEHICLES, HOWEVER, I RECEIVED NO SUCH NOTICE AND INFINITI SAYS THEIR IS NOT RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH MY VIN NUMBER. I BELIEVE MY VIN NUMBER WAS LEFT OUT IN ERROR AND THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED. THIS VEHICLE HAS ALSO LOST POWER A NUMBER OF TIMES WHILE DRIVING, BUT THOSE INCIDENTS DIDN'T RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT (LUCKILY). THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10761546

137,000 miles · Mar 18, 2015
Electrical SystemService Brakes

I HAVE AN 04 QX56 AS A DAILY DRIVER. I WAS LEAVING WALMART AS I PULLED OUT OF THE PARKING LOT I PULLED INTO THE TURN LANE TO ALLOW A CAR TO GO BY MASHED MY BRAKE AND IT STARTED JER KING LIKE SOMETHING WAS TRAPPED IN MY BRAKES. WE PULLED ON DOWN TO A LARGE PARKING LOT GOT OUT NOTICE THE RED BRAKE LIGHT WAS ON AND UNDER THE HOOD S…

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I HAVE AN 04 QX56 AS A DAILY DRIVER. I WAS LEAVING WALMART AS I PULLED OUT OF THE PARKING LOT I PULLED INTO THE TURN LANE TO ALLOW A CAR TO GO BY MASHED MY BRAKE AND IT STARTED JER KING LIKE SOMETHING WAS TRAPPED IN MY BRAKES. WE PULLED ON DOWN TO A LARGE PARKING LOT GOT OUT NOTICE THE RED BRAKE LIGHT WAS ON AND UNDER THE HOOD SOMETHING WAS CLICKING NEAR THE AIR INTAKE THING. IT DID IT THE ENTIRE RIDE HOME AS WE WERE 30 MINS FROM HOME WE JUST DRIVE SLOW. GOT IN IT TODAY FOR THE 1ST TIME WAS OK TIL ABOUT 45 MINS INTO TRIP LIGHT CAME BACK ON BRAKES STARTED DOING THE SAME THING. I HAVE READ MANY PEOPLE COMPLAIN OF THIS ISSUE. IF IT DOESN'T GET RECALLED THERE WILL BE A WRECK IN THESE VEHICLES! PLEASE MAKE NISSAN/INFINITI RECALLED THIS PART! I HAVE RESEARCHED IT AND THERE WAS A LAWSUIT FILED BUT IT DIDN'T MAKE THEM ADMIT THERE WAS AN ISSUE JUST MADE THEM PAY FOR OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES. I AM A STAY AT HOME MOM COLLEGE STUDENT MY HUSBAND JUST LOST HIS JOB DUE TO HEALTH REASONS. I CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY FOR THIS ISSUE! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10695000

113,663 miles · Sep 22, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeat Belts

WE CURRENTLY OWN A 2004 INFINITI QX56. WE HAVE RECEIVED ERROR CODE B1177 WHICH IS FOR THE PRETENSIONER IN SEATBELTS. ADDITIONALLY, THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS FLASHING. WE UNDERSTAND FROM THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON DUE TO THE BATTERY BEING REPLACED AND THAT IT NEEDED TO BE RESET. THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME BAG ON SHORTL…

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WE CURRENTLY OWN A 2004 INFINITI QX56. WE HAVE RECEIVED ERROR CODE B1177 WHICH IS FOR THE PRETENSIONER IN SEATBELTS. ADDITIONALLY, THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS FLASHING. WE UNDERSTAND FROM THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON DUE TO THE BATTERY BEING REPLACED AND THAT IT NEEDED TO BE RESET. THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME BAG ON SHORTLY THEREAFTER AND WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO SCANNED THE CODE. HE ADVISED US OF THE ERROR CODE AND WHAT IT WAS ASSOCIATED WITH. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, IT APPEARS THAT AN EXTENSIVE AMOUNT OF OWNERS OF THE INFINITI QX56 AS WELL AS THE NISSAN ARMADA (SISTER VEHICLE) HAVE THIS EXACT ISSUE. WE ARE UNSURE AS TO WHETHER THE AIRBAGS WILL FAIL IF INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT OR IF THE SAFETY BELTS WILL ALSO NOT WORK. THE VEHICLE HAS A 10 YEAR SEATBELT WARRANTY BUT THE DEALERS ARE STATING THAT THIS ITEM IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS OBVIOUS NEGLECT AND DEFECT ON THE MANUFACTURER'S PART AND PUTS THE OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES AT SERIOUS RISK. WE ARE A FAMILY OF 5 WITH 3 SMALL CHILDREN. WE CANNOT AFFORD TO PURCHASE A NEW VEHICLE OR TO PAY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO CORRECT THIS SAFETY RELATED ISSUE. PLEASE ADVISE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10638108

86,762 miles · Jul 18, 2012
Electrical System

ON JULY 1, 2012 I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 156 IN WINSTON-SALEM N.C. WHEN MY AIR CONDITION, TURN SIGNAL, SPEEDOMETER STOP WORKING AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAN ON. WE WERE ON VACATION DRIVING THROUGH NORTH CAROLINA FROM GEORGIA. IT WAS SUNDAY AND WE DECIDED TO STAY OVERNIGHT TO HAVE THE QX56 INFINITY CHECKED OUT THE NEXT DAY FOR SA…

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ON JULY 1, 2012 I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 156 IN WINSTON-SALEM N.C. WHEN MY AIR CONDITION, TURN SIGNAL, SPEEDOMETER STOP WORKING AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAN ON. WE WERE ON VACATION DRIVING THROUGH NORTH CAROLINA FROM GEORGIA. IT WAS SUNDAY AND WE DECIDED TO STAY OVERNIGHT TO HAVE THE QX56 INFINITY CHECKED OUT THE NEXT DAY FOR SAFETY REASONS. THE NEXT MOURNING ON OUR WAY TO THE INFINITY DEALERSHIP, THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE CAN ON AND LOCKED UP THE TRANSMISSION AND STOPPED MOVING. WE WERE ON HIGHWAY 156 DOWNTOWN WINSTON-SALEM ON MONDAY MOURNING IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC STOPPED. I MANAGE TO EASY IT OFF THE ROAD AND CALLED AAA TO TOW ME TO THE DEALERSHIP. I HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE TO OTHER DEALERSHIPS IN JONESBORO GA. AND THEN IN HUNTSVILLE AL BEFORE MY TRIP BECAUSE OF THE SERVICE LIGHT COMING ON. MY FAMILY AND I WAS VERY LUCKY WE WERE NOT KILLED. I FEEL THIS VEHICLE GOT SOME VERY SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEMS THAT MUST BE CHECK OUT BEFORE ANYTHING MAJOR HAPPEN THAT MAY HURT OR KILL SOMEONE. THIS 2004 QX56 INFINITY HAVE BEEN RECALLED MANY TIMES FOR REPAIRS SINCE I PURCHASE IT IN 2004. BECAUSE OF PASS EXPERIENCES WITH THIS VEHICLE, I FEEL THERE MAY BE MORE SERIOUS DEFECTS IN THIS VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10466527

110,000 miles · Oct 24, 2011
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 INFINITY QX56. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH WHEN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC THAT LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARMS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC TO HAVE THE FRONT LOWER CONTRO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 INFINITY QX56. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH WHEN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC THAT LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARMS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC TO HAVE THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 119,000. THE CONSUMER AT HIS OWN EXPENSE, HE HAD TO REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT CONTROL LOWER ARMS. THE CONSUMER STATED A RECALL WAS ISSUED IN MAY 2010. HOWEVER, HE WAS INFORMED THAT FOR HIS MODEL THE PARTS WERE NOT DEFECTIVE, AND THEREFORE DID NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL. ALSO, ALL FOUR BELT PRE-TENSIONS HAD TO BE REPLACED ON BOTH SIDE. THE CONSUMER STATED ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE PRE-TENSIONS FAILED. EACH TIME THEY FAILED, IT RENDERED THE AIR BAGS NON-FUNCTIONAL. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $8000 DUE TO THE FAILURE OF A $10 SWITCH INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REVERSE COMPONENT. THE WIPER FLUID MOTOR WAS DIAGNOSED AS BEING INOPERABLE. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED IT WOULD REQUIRE REPLACEMENT AT A COST OF A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A SECOND OPINION AND WAS TOLD A HOSE HAD COME OFF AND RE-ATTACHED IT FREE OF CHARGE THE ENTIRE BRAKE ASSEMBLY, DRIVER SIDE WINDOW MOTOR, LIFT GATE MOTOR, TACHOMETER, DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK, HVAC CONTROL, BLOWER RESISTOR AND EXHAUST HEAT SHIELD ALL HAD TO BE REPLACED. . UPDATED 04/27/12

NHTSA ODI #10432609

68,300 miles · Oct 17, 2011
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 INFINITI QX56. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER ACTUATOR MOTOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS ONLY AN INVESTIGATION OUT FOR THE DEFECT ALSO DENIED ASSISTING THE CONTACT WITH THE CONTACT OF REPAIRS TO THE DEFECT. THE DEALER …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 INFINITI QX56. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER ACTUATOR MOTOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS ONLY AN INVESTIGATION OUT FOR THE DEFECT ALSO DENIED ASSISTING THE CONTACT WITH THE CONTACT OF REPAIRS TO THE DEFECT. THE DEALER WAS IN THE PROCESS OF REPAIRING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,300 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,698.

NHTSA ODI #10430559

42,306 miles · Oct 22, 2010
Electrical System

MY 2004 INFINITY Q56 ENGINE CUTS OFF GOING DOWN THE ROAD. DEALER IS AWARE OF A PROBLEM WITH SEVERAL YEAR MODELS DOING THIS SAME THING. ALL POWER IS LOST BRAKES , STEERING ECT. HAVE HAD 4 COMPUTER BOARDS REPLACE AND GOING BACK FOR ANOTHER TRY OCT.25-2010. INFINITY CONSUMER AFFAIRS HAS BEEN CONTACTED BUT EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE CONCE…

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MY 2004 INFINITY Q56 ENGINE CUTS OFF GOING DOWN THE ROAD. DEALER IS AWARE OF A PROBLEM WITH SEVERAL YEAR MODELS DOING THIS SAME THING. ALL POWER IS LOST BRAKES , STEERING ECT. HAVE HAD 4 COMPUTER BOARDS REPLACE AND GOING BACK FOR ANOTHER TRY OCT.25-2010. INFINITY CONSUMER AFFAIRS HAS BEEN CONTACTED BUT EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE CONCERNED THEY ARE NOT SURE OF A FIX. WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO GET HELP, A BAD CRASH OR TWO? IF YOU TYPE IN PROBLEMS WITH Q56 CUTTING OFF WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD YOU WILL SEE THAT THE INTERNET HAS A GROUP OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME SCARY ISSUE. THANK YOU FOR LOOKING INTO THIS. I MYSELF HAVE HAD A FEW CLOSE CALLS TRYING TO GET THE CAR OFF THE ROAD SAFELY. FIRST INCIDENT JUNE 2007 LAST INCIDENT OCT. 20 , 2010. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10361706

Official recalls

1

10V517000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Oct 28, 2010

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE ENGINE STALLING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.