2012 Infiniti Qx56 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (17) · Fuel/Propulsion System (7) · Air Bags (5)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Infiniti Qx56 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
40 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (3)
Equipment:other:labels 2026-07-15 · campaign 26V455000 · 168,149 vehicles
Defect: 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."
Risk: An overloaded vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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 Ju
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2020-03-30 · campaign 20V188000 · 216,678 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Fuel System, Gasoline 2014-11-28 · campaign 14V683000 · 133,592 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source could cause a vehicle fire.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (164)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure:body 2026-04-13 · ITB09-063C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certification label and vin plate replacement service information because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “certification label” or “vin plate/label” may be needed. hint: certification label = fmvss (federal motor vehicle safety standards) label. these items may be availabl
Air Bags 2024-09-19 · ITB19-024D · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
dtc b00a0-00 storeif you confirm dtc b00a0-00 (occupant detection sensor unit) is stored, and ocs zero point reset cannot be performed, (continued on the next page)d
Electrical System 2024-05-20 · ITB13-052E · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
intelligent key not detected / engine will not start this bulletin has been amended. see amendment history on the last page. please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Electrical System 2024-05-20 · ITB13-006D · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
can communication – network diagnostic flow chart this bulletin has been amended. see amendment history on the last page. please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Electrical System 2024-05-20 · ITB10-029C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
can communication codes – diagnostic tips and guidelines this bulletin has been amended. see amendment history on the last page. please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Visibility/Wiper 2024-04-30 · ITB17-009H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
window glass warranty information this bulletin has been amended. see amendment history on the last page. please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Showing the 6 most recent of 164 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-06-08 · Suspension“while driving my vehicle with my family, i experienced a sudden and dangerous loss of control. i was able to safely maneuver the vehicle off the roadway without injury. after inspection, it was determined that the subframe had fractured due to severe rust, which was not previously identified. the failure occurred without warning and directly impact…”
2026-03-04 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 175,000 mi“the contact owns a 2012 infiniti qx56. the contact stated that while driving at 56 mph, the vehicle slowed down and failed to respond as intended. an oil change was performed; however, the failure persisted. the contact stated that the high-pressure fuel pump was leaking, causing the timing chain to fail. the check engine warning light illuminated,…”
2023-04-07 · Suspension“while driving at highway speed, rear of vehicle suddenly became uncontrolled and caused vehicle to swerve dangerously. if a vehicle would have been in the adjacent lane an accident would have occurred. upon initial inspection, the left rear lower control arm failed catastrophically due to rust rendering the vehicle undrivable. driver and passen…”
2022-11-04 · Unknown Or Other“i have an engine light on as a result of 2 bad catalytic converters that need to be replaced. the vehicle has been inspected the infinite dealer maintenance dept. this poses a safety risk of this vehicle shutting down in the midst of driving…”
2022-05-27 · Engine · 87,000 mi“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…”
2022-04-21 · Unknown 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 eligibility 2011-2013…”
2022-02-03 · 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 independent mechanic and diagn…”
2021-08-05 · 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 dealer since day one…”
2021-06-15 · 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 converter and timing chain a…”
2021-03-16 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 130 mi“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…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.