RoadVitals

2011 INFINITI QX56

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
78
+2 complaints in 30 days
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Jul 15, 2026
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

Overview

Our database contains 78 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2011 INFINITI QX56, most frequently naming the engine, fuel system and suspension categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 167 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine3944.8%
  • Fuel system2023.0%
  • Suspension910.3%
  • Powertrain (other)44.6%
  • Visibility33.4%
  • Electrical33.4%
  • Other / unspecified22.3%
  • Driver assistance22.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
26V455000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Jul 15, 2026
168,149 units potentially affected
The 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."
The risk: An overloaded vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
The 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 are expected to be mailed August 21, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. 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.
Nissan North America, Inc.Manufacturer number R26B1/2, P6A13/4View on NHTSA.gov
20V188000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Mar 30, 2020
216,678 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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.
Nissan North America, Inc.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 78
Other / unspecified
Filed Jul 28, 2026

The contact owns a 2011 Infiniti QX56. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V455000 (Equipment); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact was unable to rent the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA ID
11753335
Incident
Jul 28, 2026
Engine
Filed Jul 20, 2026

Need to know if there are recalls on the Q56 Infinite for the Catalytic Converter Failure. This truck had 2 and this is the second one that seems to be faulty and the truck only had 162000 miles The 1st one faulted at 151000 2024 The Infinite 2011 Q56 has been known for faulty Catalytic Converter Failure and nothing was done to recall and fix. The truck had 2 Catalytic Converters, the 1st one went out in 2024 @ 152000 miles, now it looks like my engine light is back on with error code P0420 Converter malfunction. I searched internet and it was noted that 2011 have had enormous reports about this issue. This doesn’t make since there is no recall when it is noted that the 2011 Q56 had history of faulty Catalytic Converter Failure. This cost to replace and repair is enormous and this type of part replacement repair should not be happening at 152000-162000 miles. This needs to be investigated and recall issued immediately.

NHTSA ID
11751672
Incident
Jul 18, 2026
Suspension
Filed Aug 5, 2024

A subframe is a key structural component of every car. As such, it stands to reason that it should last as long as the car itself. Doing much research on this model suspension and subframes become rusted as I didn’t know this when purchasing making it very unsafe . I experienced being involved in almost 2 accidents. Very dangerous. Subframe split in half and suspension. Something needs to be done as a lot of people are going thru this issue and Infiniti slogan claims “new horizons” by no means new horizon going to heaven by driving their vehicles.

NHTSA ID
11606665
Incident
Jul 17, 2024
Engine
Filed Jun 25, 2023

Unknown. Timing chain issue. When car is started it makes a noise for about 10 min then goes away

NHTSA ID
11528708
Incident
Jun 21, 2023
EngineFuel system
Filed Jun 2, 2023

Catalytic Converter, A/F Sensor failed on the interstate when I was driving with kids in the car. Took vehicle to the nearest dealer only to be told that this is a known problem with these vehicles and it was going to cost me $3,100 to repair.

NHTSA ID
11525041
Incident
Jun 2, 2023
Suspension
Filed Mar 6, 2023

The rear controls arms and cradle mount were riddled with severe fissures, causing car to sway dramatically. The level of component failure posed a severe safety risk to me. My mechanic was shocked by the amount of failure to these major rear suspension components. I have included photos and receipts for repairs.

NHTSA ID
11510476
Incident
Mar 31, 2021
Engine
Filed Mar 12, 2022

I'M CURRENTLY DEALING WITH THE TIMING CHAIN NIGHTMARE SO MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD AND ARE HAVING. OF COURSE JUST AS MOST OF THE OTHERS I'M OUT OF WARRANTY AND REALLY FRUSTRATED THAT INFINITI HASN'T STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM PROPERLY AS OPPOSED TO RENAMING THE QX56 TO QX 80 TO SAVE THEMSELVES, LEAVING CONSUMERS SCRAMBLING WITH EXPENSIVE TIME CONSUMING FIXES TO A KNOWN DEFECT ON THEIR PART. WHERE'S THE ACCOUNTABILITY ON THEIR PART, DO A CERTAIN NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE OR BE INJURED BEFORE THE CONSUMERS ARE PROVIDED WITH THE PROPER ASSISTANCE? WHO REALLY LOOKS OUT FOR US? A recall was done in 2016 obviously they need to expand the Vin number

NHTSA ID
11456405
Incident
Feb 1, 2022
Fuel system
Filed Feb 22, 2022

The contact owns a 2011 Infiniti QX56. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle began to shake and inadvertently stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing the high-pressure fuel tank replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000.

NHTSA ID
11453517
Incident
Nov 22, 2021
Mileage
148,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

ITB09-063C

STRUCTURE:BODY

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 available from Infiniti by request if certain criteria are met. This bulletin lists the criteria and provides an application form for such replacements. · The “VIN Plate/Label” (metal plate or vinyl label) is attached to the instrument panel or body on the driver side at the base of the windshield (see Figure 1). · The “Certification Label” (vinyl adhesive label) is located on the lower area of the driver side B-Pillar (see Figure 1).

ITB19-024D

AIR BAGS

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

ITB13-052E

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

ITB10-029C

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

ITB13-006D

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

ITB17-009H

VISIBILITY/WIPER

WINDOW GLASS WARRANTY INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

INFINITI QX56 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2013323049.2
2012573046.9
2011Viewing782044.4
2010253051.6
2009730—
2008524049.4
2007212037.7
2006794044.2
2005804044.5
20041062044.8
2002000—
2001000—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.