2011 INFINITI M56 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2011 INFINITI M56, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Powertrain (other)630.0%
- Engine420.0%
- Electrical315.0%
- Airbags210.0%
- Driver assistance15.0%
- Brakes15.0%
- Seat belts15.0%
- Steering15.0%
- Suspension15.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2011 Infiniti M56. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V755000 (Power Train) however, the dealer informed the contact that the parts for the recall repair were not yet available. The contact stated that while making a left turn from a complete stop, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle drove 2 MPH and stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that as he released the accelerator pedal and depressed it again, he was able to drive the vehicle. The dealer was notified of the failure. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and advised the contact that they would follow up with the dealer. The contact was awaiting a call back from the manufacturer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
I love this vehicle but it's suddenly started having a rough idle and with a scan tool detects multiple misfires and several codes due to timing, in which case the timing chain has been worn out call the dealership to see if the timing chain recall for the m56 was done to my car they said it was VIN specific now I am stuck with a vehicle that is very dangerous to be driven.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
I love this vehicle but it's suddenly started having a rough idle and with a scan tool detects multiple misfires and several codes due to timing, in which case the timing chain has been worn out call the dealership to see if the timing chain recall for the m56 was done to my car they said it was VIN specific now I am stuck with a vehicle that is very dangerous to be driven.
I STARTED THE CAR UP AND STARTED TO DRIVE TO WORK ABOUT 3 MILES INTO DRIVING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON FOLLOWED BY REVS WITH NO POWER OR SPEED GAIN AND THE VEHICLE WAS GIVING ME AROUND 15MPH TO THE POINT WHERE I COULDN'T GAIN MUCH MORE SPEED AND HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. THERE WAS A VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN FOR THE TIMING CHAIN BUT IT HAS SINCE EXPIRED AND NOW I AM STUCK WITH THE REPAIRS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
ISSUE: PASSENGER SEAT BELT LIGHT CONTINUES TO REMAIN ON AFTER THE PASSENGER IS NO LONGER SITTING ON THE SEAT. ROOT CAUSE FROM DEALER: DEFECTIVE PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR. ONLY WAY TO TURN OFF THE SEAT BELT LIGHT IS TO EITHER PUT THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT ON OR TURN ON AND OFF THE CAR. I NOTICED WHEN I PURCHASED THE INFINITI 2011 M56 THE SEAT BELT LIGHT WOULD REMAIN ON AFTER A PASSENGER HAS BEEN SITTING ON THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT AND EXITS THE VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER JUST NEEDS TO SIT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FOR A FEW MINUTES TO EXHIBIT THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AS I DON'T KNOW IF THE AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY PROPERLY AS THE OCCUPANCY SENSOR IS FALSELY TRIGGERING A PASSENGER IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE AIRBAG LIGHT INDICATOR WILL SOMETIMES BE ON OR OFF WHEN THE SEAT BELT LIGHT COMES ON. AFTER TAKING THE CAR BACK AND FORTH ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AND TO MULTIPLE INFINITI DEALERSHIPS, WAS FINALLY ABLE TO TO GET TO THE PROBLEM. ONE OF THE DEALERSHIP WAS FINALLY ABLE TO CONCLUDE IT WAS DUE TO THE FRONT PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR. EVEN HAD AN INFINITI ENGINEER FROM THE NORTHER CA REGION CONFIRM THE ISSUE WAS INDEED DUE TO THE OCCUPANCY SENSOR. THIS ISSUE WAS FIRST REPORTED WHEN UNDER THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY HOWEVER INFINITI AND INFINITI CONSUMER AFFAIRS WILL NOT HONOR THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY. ALSO I HAVE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY JUST FOR THIS PURPOSE HOWEVER THIS PART IS NOT COVERED.
MY SOLENOID SWITCH WENT BAD ON ME AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, TOOK IT TO THE INFINITI DEALERSHIP AND THEY CORRECTED THE PROBLEM SO I THOUGHT UNTIL OCT 13 WHEN I KEPT HEARING THIS NOISE COMING FROM MY HOOK LIKE A SQUEALING NOISE.. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND FOUND OUT IT WAS THE TIMING CHAIN, WHICH I WAS TOLD HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE SOLENOID SWITCH THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY FIXED.. FOUND OUT THAT WAS A LIE AND THAT THEY GO HAND IN HAND WITH EACH OTHER AND THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME 1400 DOLLARS JUST TO LOOK AT THE PROBLEM AND ANOTHER 2,000 TO FIX THE ISSUE, WELL IT TURNS OUT THAT INFINITI ALREADY KNEW THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE SOLENOID BEING TO SMALL TO PUMP THE REQUIRED OLD TO WHERE ITS SUPPOSE TO GO AND NEVER DID A RECALL OR ANYTHING BUT THEY ARE TRYING TO SAY IF ITS OUT OF WARRANTY THAN THEY ARE NOT REQUIRED TO FIX IT, THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD IF NOT REPLACED BY INFINITI THIS WILL CAUSE THE SOLENOID SWITCH TO GO BAD THEN THE TIMING CHAIN, AND THEN YOUR ENGINE WILL BLOW UP ON YOU.. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE FOR INFINITI TO FIX BECAUSE THIS WILL BE VERY COSTLY TO SOMEONE AND IT SHOULDN'T BE... *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
Front passenger airbag occupancy sensor fails leading to inactivation of front passenger airbag. Dealership says that a repair solution is not available.
ISSUE: PASSENGER SEAT BELT LIGHT CONTINUES TO REMAIN ON AFTER THE PASSENGER IS NO LONGER SITTING ON THE SEAT. ROOT CAUSE FROM DEALER: DEFECTIVE PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR. ONLY WAY TO TURN OFF THE SEAT BELT LIGHT IS TO EITHER PUT THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT ON OR TURN ON AND OFF THE CAR. I NOTICED WHEN I PURCHASED THE INFINITI 2011 M56 THE SEAT BELT LIGHT WOULD REMAIN ON AFTER A PASSENGER HAS BEEN SITTING ON THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT AND EXITS THE VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER JUST NEEDS TO SIT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FOR A FEW MINUTES TO EXHIBIT THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AS I DON'T KNOW IF THE AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY PROPERLY AS THE OCCUPANCY SENSOR IS FALSELY TRIGGERING A PASSENGER IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE AIRBAG LIGHT INDICATOR WILL SOMETIMES BE ON OR OFF WHEN THE SEAT BELT LIGHT COMES ON. AFTER TAKING THE CAR BACK AND FORTH ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AND TO MULTIPLE INFINITI DEALERSHIPS, WAS FINALLY ABLE TO TO GET TO THE PROBLEM. ONE OF THE DEALERSHIP WAS FINALLY ABLE TO CONCLUDE IT WAS DUE TO THE FRONT PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR. EVEN HAD AN INFINITI ENGINEER FROM THE NORTHER CA REGION CONFIRM THE ISSUE WAS INDEED DUE TO THE OCCUPANCY SENSOR. THIS ISSUE WAS FIRST REPORTED WHEN UNDER THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY HOWEVER INFINITI AND INFINITI CONSUMER AFFAIRS WILL NOT HONOR THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY. ALSO I HAVE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY JUST FOR THIS PURPOSE HOWEVER THIS PART IS NOT COVERED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
4WAS AND STABILITY CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS COME ON WHEN DRIVING OVER ROUGH ASPHALT, OR TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT AND ROAD IS ROUGH. THE REAR OF THE CAR FEELS UNSTABLE AND STEERING WHEEL IS OFF-CENTER. THE LIGHTS ARE ON UNTIL THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED ON AGAIN AND BEFORE THE WARNING SYMBOLS COME BACK ON, THE STEERING WHEEL IS CENTERED AND CAR DRIVES FINE. INFINITI HAS RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE HICAS ACTUATOR. THIS HAS NOT RESOLVED THE PROBLEM FOR INFINITI OWNERS AND ARE THEN RECOMMENDED TO REPLACE THE 4WAS CONTROL BOX. REPLACING THE CONTROL BOX ALSO DOES NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE. I HAVE READ AND JOINED A NISSAN/INFINITI FORUM WHERE OWNERS THAT HAVE THIS EXACT PROBLEM HAVE FOLLOWED THE RECOMMENDATION FROM THE NISSAN AND INFINITI DEALERSHIP AND STILL HAVE THE WARNING LIGHTS ON. I CONTACTED INFINITI CORPORATE OFFICES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, BUT WAS INFORMED THEY DO NOT TRACK THIS TYPE OF INFORMATION. THE 4WAS AND STABILITY CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ISSUE IS HAPPENING TO BOTH NISSAN AND INFINITI MODELS AND THROUGHOUT VARIOUS YEARS. THE CONCERN IS THAT INFINITI'S RECOMMENDATION IT TO REPLACE THE HICAS ACTUATOR AND SPEND $6K (PART COST $5,500 AND LABOR $400, BUT THAT DOES NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. ACCORDING TO THE INFORMATION I HAVE FOUND, INFINITI IS NOT ACCURATELY DIAGNOSING THE PROBLEM.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN YOU GO TO APPLY THE BRAKE IT OFTEN LOCKS UP AND STOPS IMMEDIATELY. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT COMES AND GOES. IT ALSO AT THE SAME TIME IT IS STOPPING ABRUPTLY WITHOUT APPLYING THE BRAKE COMPLETELY IT WILL DO THE OPPOSITE AND THE BRAKE WILL DEFLATE ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR BEFORE STOPPING. WHILE STOP IT WILL LOSE PRESSURE AND THE BRAKE WILL SLOWLY GO TO THE FLOOR. HAVE TAKEN IT SEVERAL PLACES AND THEY CAN NOT FIX. HAVE HAD ALMOST ALL BRAKE PARTS REPLACED AND OR CHECKED. THIS HAPPENS EVER TIME BRAKES ARE APPLIED FOR A WEEK OR SO THEN GOES AWAY THEN COMES BACK PERIODICALLY. HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR OVER A YEAR. MECHANICS HAVE ENCOIUNTERED THE ISSUE AND CAN NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT IS CAUSING IT, INCLUDING INFINITI.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
ISSUE: PASSENGER SEAT BELT LIGHT CONTINUES TO REMAIN ON AFTER THE PASSENGER IS NO LONGER SITTING ON THE SEAT. ROOT CAUSE FROM DEALER: DEFECTIVE PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR. ONLY WAY TO TURN OFF THE SEAT BELT LIGHT IS TO EITHER PUT THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT ON OR TURN ON AND OFF THE CAR. I NOTICED WHEN I PURCHASED THE INFINITI 2011 M56 THE SEAT BELT LIGHT WOULD REMAIN ON AFTER A PASSENGER HAS BEEN SITTING ON THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT AND EXITS THE VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER JUST NEEDS TO SIT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FOR A FEW MINUTES TO EXHIBIT THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AS I DON'T KNOW IF THE AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY PROPERLY AS THE OCCUPANCY SENSOR IS FALSELY TRIGGERING A PASSENGER IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE AIRBAG LIGHT INDICATOR WILL SOMETIMES BE ON OR OFF WHEN THE SEAT BELT LIGHT COMES ON. AFTER TAKING THE CAR BACK AND FORTH ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AND TO MULTIPLE INFINITI DEALERSHIPS, WAS FINALLY ABLE TO TO GET TO THE PROBLEM. ONE OF THE DEALERSHIP WAS FINALLY ABLE TO CONCLUDE IT WAS DUE TO THE FRONT PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR. EVEN HAD AN INFINITI ENGINEER FROM THE NORTHER CA REGION CONFIRM THE ISSUE WAS INDEED DUE TO THE OCCUPANCY SENSOR. THIS ISSUE WAS FIRST REPORTED WHEN UNDER THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY HOWEVER INFINITI AND INFINITI CONSUMER AFFAIRS WILL NOT HONOR THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY. ALSO I HAVE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY JUST FOR THIS PURPOSE HOWEVER THIS PART IS NOT COVERED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
4WAS AND STABILITY CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS COME ON WHEN DRIVING OVER ROUGH ASPHALT, OR TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT AND ROAD IS ROUGH. THE REAR OF THE CAR FEELS UNSTABLE AND STEERING WHEEL IS OFF-CENTER. THE LIGHTS ARE ON UNTIL THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED ON AGAIN AND BEFORE THE WARNING SYMBOLS COME BACK ON, THE STEERING WHEEL IS CENTERED AND CAR DRIVES FINE. INFINITI HAS RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE HICAS ACTUATOR. THIS HAS NOT RESOLVED THE PROBLEM FOR INFINITI OWNERS AND ARE THEN RECOMMENDED TO REPLACE THE 4WAS CONTROL BOX. REPLACING THE CONTROL BOX ALSO DOES NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE. I HAVE READ AND JOINED A NISSAN/INFINITI FORUM WHERE OWNERS THAT HAVE THIS EXACT PROBLEM HAVE FOLLOWED THE RECOMMENDATION FROM THE NISSAN AND INFINITI DEALERSHIP AND STILL HAVE THE WARNING LIGHTS ON. I CONTACTED INFINITI CORPORATE OFFICES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, BUT WAS INFORMED THEY DO NOT TRACK THIS TYPE OF INFORMATION. THE 4WAS AND STABILITY CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ISSUE IS HAPPENING TO BOTH NISSAN AND INFINITI MODELS AND THROUGHOUT VARIOUS YEARS. THE CONCERN IS THAT INFINITI'S RECOMMENDATION IT TO REPLACE THE HICAS ACTUATOR AND SPEND $6K (PART COST $5,500 AND LABOR $400, BUT THAT DOES NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. ACCORDING TO THE INFORMATION I HAVE FOUND, INFINITI IS NOT ACCURATELY DIAGNOSING THE PROBLEM.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
4WAS AND STABILITY CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS COME ON WHEN DRIVING OVER ROUGH ASPHALT, OR TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT AND ROAD IS ROUGH. THE REAR OF THE CAR FEELS UNSTABLE AND STEERING WHEEL IS OFF-CENTER. THE LIGHTS ARE ON UNTIL THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED ON AGAIN AND BEFORE THE WARNING SYMBOLS COME BACK ON, THE STEERING WHEEL IS CENTERED AND CAR DRIVES FINE. INFINITI HAS RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE HICAS ACTUATOR. THIS HAS NOT RESOLVED THE PROBLEM FOR INFINITI OWNERS AND ARE THEN RECOMMENDED TO REPLACE THE 4WAS CONTROL BOX. REPLACING THE CONTROL BOX ALSO DOES NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE. I HAVE READ AND JOINED A NISSAN/INFINITI FORUM WHERE OWNERS THAT HAVE THIS EXACT PROBLEM HAVE FOLLOWED THE RECOMMENDATION FROM THE NISSAN AND INFINITI DEALERSHIP AND STILL HAVE THE WARNING LIGHTS ON. I CONTACTED INFINITI CORPORATE OFFICES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, BUT WAS INFORMED THEY DO NOT TRACK THIS TYPE OF INFORMATION. THE 4WAS AND STABILITY CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ISSUE IS HAPPENING TO BOTH NISSAN AND INFINITI MODELS AND THROUGHOUT VARIOUS YEARS. THE CONCERN IS THAT INFINITI'S RECOMMENDATION IT TO REPLACE THE HICAS ACTUATOR AND SPEND $6K (PART COST $5,500 AND LABOR $400, BUT THAT DOES NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. ACCORDING TO THE INFORMATION I HAVE FOUND, INFINITI IS NOT ACCURATELY DIAGNOSING THE PROBLEM.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .