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2012 Infiniti QX56

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2012 Infiniti QX56 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 55.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

40 reports with mileage · 17 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.

  • Engine. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

Engine complaints

24 reports
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87,000 miles · May 27, 2022
Engine

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…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11466379

Mileage unknown · Apr 21, 2022
EngineUnknown 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 el…

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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 C1A26 C1A14 C1a04 Buying car with full upgrade, waste of 98K .

NHTSA ODI #11461649

Mileage unknown · Feb 3, 2022
Engine

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 independen…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11450269

Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2021
Engine

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 …

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11427869

Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 2021
Engine

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 converte…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11421001

130 miles · Mar 16, 2021
EngineFuel/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 THI…

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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

NHTSA ODI #11403384

70,000 miles · Oct 11, 2019
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 INFINITI QX56. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A HUMMING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WEST HOUSTON INFINITI (12200 KATY FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77079, (281) 589-8900) WHERE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 INFINITI QX56. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A HUMMING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WEST HOUSTON INFINITI (12200 KATY FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77079, (281) 589-8900) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKES WERE WEARING DOWN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER DID NOT DIAGNOSE THE HUMMING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE HUMMING NOISE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MECHANIC CALLED THE INFINITI DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS DUE TO THE TIMING CHAIN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #11267989

Mileage unknown · Jul 29, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion System

I HAD MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED BACK IN DECEMBER 2016 . THERE WAS A RECALL FOR CATALYTIC CONVERTER SO I HAD IT REPLACED. NOW THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS BACK ON SO I GOT IT CHECKED OUT AND WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AGAIN. 35K MILES LATER

NHTSA ODI #11240421

96,450 miles · May 27, 2019
Engine

TAKATA INFLATORS THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING ON THE HIGHWAY AND EVEN AFTER ACCELERATING IT WON'T RUN ENOUGH TO GET PAST TRAFFIC WHILE CHANGING LANE AND CAUSING SEVERELY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS.

NHTSA ODI #11210211

115,540 miles · Apr 22, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

WAS DRIVING HOME, A/C WAS ON, ALL LIGHTS WAS ON, ALL OF A SUDDENLY LOST OF POWER TO THE ENGINE AND WHILE GOING UP HILL, SO I FLOOR IT SO THE VEHICLE SO I CAN GET PAST OVER THE HILL THEN I STARTED TO SMELL SOMETHING THROUGH THE VENTS LIKE IT WAS ON FIRE COMING FROM THE ENGINE BAY SO I PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE POP THE…

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WAS DRIVING HOME, A/C WAS ON, ALL LIGHTS WAS ON, ALL OF A SUDDENLY LOST OF POWER TO THE ENGINE AND WHILE GOING UP HILL, SO I FLOOR IT SO THE VEHICLE SO I CAN GET PAST OVER THE HILL THEN I STARTED TO SMELL SOMETHING THROUGH THE VENTS LIKE IT WAS ON FIRE COMING FROM THE ENGINE BAY SO I PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE POP THE HOOD BUT DIDN'T SEE NO FIRE, THEN WHEN I TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE BACK UP IT WOULDN'T SO I WAITED FOR FEW MINUTES AND TRIED AGAIN, THE VEHICLE STARTED BACK UP SO I WENT ON DRIVING AGAIN BUT IT DIDN'T SHOW ANY THING ON THE DASH NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AT ALL. IT DONE IT AGAIN LOSE OF POWER TO THE ENGINE AND I STARTED SMELLING SOMETHING BURNING LIKE METAL COMING FROM THE VENTS AGAIN LUCKY I WAS CLOSE TO HOME WHEN IT DONE IT AGAIN, I SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND PUT THE SCANNER ON IT, IT THROW OUT 3 CODES BUT IT NEVER SHOWED UP ON THE DASH SAYING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AT ALL. FOR THE 3 CODES ONE WAS FOR FUEL PUMP OTHER WAS FOR 02 SENSOR AND THE OTHER WAS ECM I BELIEVE, WISH I WROTE THEM ALL DOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11202997

Official recalls

3

26V455000 · Equipment:other:labels

Jul 15, 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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An overloaded vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.

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 were mailed September 2, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated Fall 2026. 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.

20V188000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Mar 30, 2020

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or Infiniti customer service at 1-800-662-6200.

14V683000 · Fuel System, Gasoline

Nov 28, 2014

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 fuel pressure sensor may loosen with vehicle usage and cause a fuel leak.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source could cause a vehicle fire.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will re-torque the fuel pressure sensors free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service 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.