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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

Electrical System complaints

9 reports
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83,000 miles · May 8, 2020
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 INFINITI QX56. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY FAILED PREMATURELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER, AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE CODE THEREFORE, THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAK…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 INFINITI QX56. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY FAILED PREMATURELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER, AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE CODE THEREFORE, THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE UNKNOWN DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BATTERY FAILURE COULD BE CAUSED BY PARASITIC DRAIN OR A RELAY FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.*DT*JB

NHTSA ODI #11323919

100,000 miles · Feb 17, 2020
Electrical SystemStructure

MY WIFE DROVE TO MY DAUGHTERS SCHOOL SCHOOL FOR A BASKETBALL PRACTICE. SHE LOCKED THE DOORS USING THE KEYFOB LIKE ALWAYS. WHEN SHE GOT BACK TO THE CAR SHE UNLOCK THE DOORS USING THE KEYFOB, BUT THIS TIME THE DRIVERS DOOR DID NOT OPEN. SHE TRIED USING THE DOOR ENTRY BUTTON ON THE HANDLE WHICH DID NOT WORK. SHE THEN GOT IN THRU …

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MY WIFE DROVE TO MY DAUGHTERS SCHOOL SCHOOL FOR A BASKETBALL PRACTICE. SHE LOCKED THE DOORS USING THE KEYFOB LIKE ALWAYS. WHEN SHE GOT BACK TO THE CAR SHE UNLOCK THE DOORS USING THE KEYFOB, BUT THIS TIME THE DRIVERS DOOR DID NOT OPEN. SHE TRIED USING THE DOOR ENTRY BUTTON ON THE HANDLE WHICH DID NOT WORK. SHE THEN GOT IN THRU THE PASSENGER DOOR AND TRIED TO PULL THE HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR AND THAT DID NOT WORK. FROM THE INSIDE OF THE CAR SHE HAD TO CLIMB OVER THE CENTER CONSOLE TO GET INTO THE DRIVER SEAT. I CHECKED THE OPERATION MYSELF WHEN SHE GOT HOME AND I COULD NOT FIND A WAY TO OPEN THE DOOR. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I FOUND THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE DESIGN OF THE PLASTIC ACTUATOR AND ITS COMPONENT. WITH THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVING THIS PROBLEM, I AM SURPRISED THERE ISN'T A RECALL SIMILAR TO THE TAKATA AIRBAGS SINCE THIS WOULD NO PASS AN INSPECTION AND WOULD BE A HAZARD IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT

NHTSA ODI #11309580

Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 2020
Electrical System

ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION AFTER DRIVING TO A STORE OR APPT. AND PARK . GO OUT TO A COMPLETELY DEAD VEHICLE. JUMP START TO GET GOING MAY GO FOR A MONTH OR SO AND IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN WITH NO WARNING.

NHTSA ODI #11307996

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

50,000 miles · Mar 28, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 INFINITI QX56. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN PROPERLY. IN ADDITION, THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS LESS THAN 50,000…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 INFINITI QX56. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN PROPERLY. IN ADDITION, THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS LESS THAN 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #11081916

107,506 miles · Oct 29, 2017
Electrical SystemEngine

EXPERIENCING ALMOST IDENTICAL ISSUES TO ANOTHER COMPLAINT I SAW THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY FILED (#10924936). TOLD WE NEED TO REPLACE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS AT $2,000 EACH. DEALERSHIP SAID IT'S A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLES. IF IT'S A KNOWN ISSUE, PERHAPS SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT IT. WE'VE ALSO HAD TO HAVE THE BATTERY REPLACED NU…

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EXPERIENCING ALMOST IDENTICAL ISSUES TO ANOTHER COMPLAINT I SAW THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY FILED (#10924936). TOLD WE NEED TO REPLACE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS AT $2,000 EACH. DEALERSHIP SAID IT'S A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLES. IF IT'S A KNOWN ISSUE, PERHAPS SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT IT. WE'VE ALSO HAD TO HAVE THE BATTERY REPLACED NUMEROUS TIMES. HAD TO CALL AAA SEVERAL TIMES TO JUMP THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11040876

70,000 miles · Nov 8, 2016
Electrical SystemEngine

WE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BATTERY SINCE WE BOUGHT THE QX56. SUV'S COMPLETELY DIES AFTER A GLOVE BOX LIGHT, RADIO HAS BEEN PLAYED FOR 20 TO 30 MINUTES, CAR CANNOT BE JUMPED BY TYPICAL CABLES, EVERY TIME WE EITHER HAD TO HAVE A HEAVY DUTY JUMP DONE BY TOW COMPANY OR BATTERY WAS REPLACED BY INFINITI. TIMING CHAIN AND BOTH CAT…

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WE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BATTERY SINCE WE BOUGHT THE QX56. SUV'S COMPLETELY DIES AFTER A GLOVE BOX LIGHT, RADIO HAS BEEN PLAYED FOR 20 TO 30 MINUTES, CAR CANNOT BE JUMPED BY TYPICAL CABLES, EVERY TIME WE EITHER HAD TO HAVE A HEAVY DUTY JUMP DONE BY TOW COMPANY OR BATTERY WAS REPLACED BY INFINITI. TIMING CHAIN AND BOTH CATALYTIC CONVERTERS NEED TO BE REPLACED, WITH ENGINE ISSUES. INFINITI HAD SUV FOR ALMOST A MONTH TO FIX ENGINE AND TIMING CHAIN. ENGINE LIGHT STILL COMING ON THEN WE WHERE TOLD THE CONVERTERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. $5K TO FIX. IT SOUNDS LIKE THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH QX56 FOR THIS YEAR AND OTHERS. AFTER EACH TIME ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON INFINITI SERVICE DEPT TOLD US TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE CAR AND AFTER 2 WEEKS IF IT DIDN'T RESET THEN CALL BACK AGAIN. WE DID THIS RELUCTANTLY, BECAUSE I AM MY WIFE HAVE BEEN TAUGHT THAT WHEN YOU HAVE AN ENGINE LIGHT COME ON, STOP CALL, AND GET THE VEHICLE IN TO BE INSPECTED.

NHTSA ODI #10924936

Mileage unknown · Apr 7, 2016
Electrical System

ALL OF THE PASSENGER DOOR LOCKS HAVE STOPPED WORKING. THE ONLY WAY TO GET INTO THE VEHICLE IS TO USE THE KEY FOB TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS, SO THAT A DOOR CAN BE MANUALLY UNLOCKED. THE INTERIOR ELECTRIC DOOR LOCK MECHANISMS DO NOT WORK EITHER.

NHTSA ODI #10854159

48,000 miles · Nov 19, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 INFINITI QX56. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

NHTSA ODI #10794965

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.