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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

57 reports
64,000 miles · Jan 31, 2020
Unknown Or Other

MY 2012 INFINITI QX56 NEEDS A NEW TIMING CHAIN AND INIFINITI SAID THERE WAS A RECALL BUT NOT ON MY PARTICULAR VIN NUMBER. IT SEEMS ODD THAT I HAVE THE YEAR AND MAKE OF THE CAR WITH THE EXACT REPAIRS NEEDED AS THE RECALL BUT THEY AREN'T COVERING IT.

NHTSA ODI #11306305

90,400 miles · Dec 18, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System

THE FUEL GAUGE MAY BE SLOW TO REGISTER, FAIL TO READ FULL WHEN THE GAS TANK IS ACTUALLY FULL, OR READ INACCURATELY. WHEN FILLING GAS TANK TO FULL, AFTER 30 MILES THE GAUGE IS READING 2/3 OF A TANK OR LESS WHILE THE MILES TO EMPTY READING IS STILL HIGH.

NHTSA ODI #11289989

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

158,000 miles · Jun 11, 2019
Power Train

MY 2012 INFINITI SEEMS TO BE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM OTHER INFINITI QX56 OWNERS ARE HAVING. STARTS WITH A LOUD HISSING/WHISTLING SOUND WHICH SEEMS TO GO AWAY AFTER 10-20 MINUTES OF DRIVING AND THE CAR FEELS JUST FINE. TODAY ALL MY DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON AND MY HUSBAND TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE INFINITI DEALER, JUST TO HAVE THE…

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MY 2012 INFINITI SEEMS TO BE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM OTHER INFINITI QX56 OWNERS ARE HAVING. STARTS WITH A LOUD HISSING/WHISTLING SOUND WHICH SEEMS TO GO AWAY AFTER 10-20 MINUTES OF DRIVING AND THE CAR FEELS JUST FINE. TODAY ALL MY DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON AND MY HUSBAND TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE INFINITI DEALER, JUST TO HAVE THE MECHANIC RETURN A FEW MINUTES LATER TO INFORM US IT IS A TIMING CHAIN ISSUE. I AM HUGE ON RESEARCHING AND AFTER A FEW HOURS OF RESEARCH AND REALIZING THAT SOME OF THESE MODELS HAVE HAD RECALLS ISSUED ACCORDING TO VIN# FOR THIS SAME EXACT ISSUE, I AM IN AWE ON WHY THIS RECALL IS ONLY BEING APPLIED TO SPECIFIC VIN #'S AND NOT EVERY SINGLE 2012 QX56 MODEL. EVERY COMPLAINT LISTED ONLINE FROM OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES LIST THE SAME EXACT ISSUE. HOW ARE WE BEING HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR A MORE THAN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURING PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11219307

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

140,000 miles · Mar 20, 2019
EnginePower TrainSuspension

I HAVE ISSUES WITH AIR COMPRESSOR AND TIMING CHAIN THAT JUST RANDOMLY WENT OUT, I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL OR CAMPAIGN FOR IT WITH INFINITI I CALLED INFINITI AND SENT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY STATED IT WAS NOT FOR MY ACTUAL VIN NUMBER BUT FOR SAME CAR WITH DIFFERENT VIN NUMBER, I ASKED THE QUESTION SINCE I AM HAVING THE SAME…

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I HAVE ISSUES WITH AIR COMPRESSOR AND TIMING CHAIN THAT JUST RANDOMLY WENT OUT, I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL OR CAMPAIGN FOR IT WITH INFINITI I CALLED INFINITI AND SENT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY STATED IT WAS NOT FOR MY ACTUAL VIN NUMBER BUT FOR SAME CAR WITH DIFFERENT VIN NUMBER, I ASKED THE QUESTION SINCE I AM HAVING THE SAME ISSUE THAT HAS A RECALL ON ANOTHER VIN SAME VEHICLE SHOULDN'T YOUR COMPANY FIX ALL OF THAT YEAR VEHICLES MAKE AND MODEL. I WAS TOLD NO.

NHTSA ODI #11190228

128,000 miles · Mar 13, 2019
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 INFINITI QX56. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 35 MPH AND AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO INFINITI OF BIRMINGHAM (1804 MONTGOMERY HWY, HOOVER, AL 35244, (205) 403-5221) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 INFINITI QX56. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 35 MPH AND AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO INFINITI OF BIRMINGHAM (1804 MONTGOMERY HWY, HOOVER, AL 35244, (205) 403-5221) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.

NHTSA ODI #11186561

95,000 miles · Feb 13, 2019
EngineUnknown Or Other

ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON DEALER STATES THAT I NEED NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER ON MY FRONT DRIVER SIDE.

NHTSA ODI #11179896

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.