2019 INFINITI QX60 Engine Problems

COMPONENT/SYSTEM FAILURE: Timing chain and timing chain tensioner/guide assembly failure. The timing chain has stretched prematurely, causing the vehicle to fail to start, loss of acceleration response, check engine light illumination, and audible rattling noise from the engine compartment. The failed components are available for inspection upon request at the dealership. SAFETY RISK: The vehicle would not accelerate when the gas pedal was pressed, creating a dangerous situation where the vehicle could not respond to driver input. This poses a serious safety risk in traffic, highway merging, or emergency evasive situations. Additionally, the failure to start leaves occupants stranded without warning. DEALER CONFIRMATION: The problem has been diagnosed and confirmed by an authorized Infiniti dealer. The dealer determined the cause is timing chain stretching and has quoted $6,500 for repair, which includes timing chain, tensioners, and guides replacement. PRIOR WARNINGS: Approximately one week prior to complete failure, the vehicle began exhibiting a rattling noise from the engine. The check engine light illuminated. Shortly after, the vehicle would not start and would not accelerate when the gas pedal was pressed. KNOWN DEFECT: This is a documented defect. Infiniti Technical Service Bulletin ITB19-027a addresses timing chain-related diagnostic trouble codes on 2017-2024 QX60 vehicles with the VQ35DD engine. The timing chain tensioner and guide failure on VQ-series engines is a well-documented premature wear issue affecting vehicles well before expected service life. At 80,000 miles, this failure is premature and indicative of a design or manufacturing defect, not normal wear. REQUEST: I am requesting NHTSA investigate this safety defect and consider requiring a recall for affected Infiniti QX60 vehicles. Nissan/Infiniti corporate has declined goodwill assistance despite the existence of TSBs acknowledging the issue.

NHTSA ID

11718924

Incident

Feb 11, 2026

My car started making a whining noise and leaking oil simultaneously. After taking it to be looked at, there is a broken seal due in improper assembly on the right side drive shaft. If it remains broken, not fixed, I risk a transmission failure. Multiple "Technical Serve Bulletins" have been released by Infiniti since 2017 (my car is a 2019 and was purchased certified pre-owned), but they will not issue a recall because this isn't considered a safety issue. Losing transmission function on the highway would create a huge safety concern.

NHTSA ID

11674274

Incident

Jul 3, 2025

1. I have had my oil changed 3 times this year and there continue to have sludge in the oil and strange noise from engine and I am very uncomfortable and afraid to drive my car. It rides funny and sometime slows on its own. 2. My airbag light has remained on and I was told they need to be replaced Please consider CheckIn for damage engine for recall repair for 2019 QX 60 Thanks

NHTSA ID

11671497

Incident

Jul 6, 2024

My engine has sludge all over it as well as engine bearing shavings despite only having 122k miles and regular oil changes and maintenance.

NHTSA ID

11670942

Incident

Jun 23, 2025

There has been many problems with the QX60 engine with oil slug and Infinty does not want to repair this problem , even after showing regular oil changes. They want to charge up to $17000 to replace the engine

NHTSA ID

11670817

Incident

Apr 18, 2022

My vehicle shut down while driving, my safety, the safety of others was very much at risk as the vehicle shut down with no warnings while driving at a very busy time and roads, cars where honking at me, I have not taken the vehicle to the dealer ship as they were just going to run a diagnosis and charge almost $300 dollars for that however I took my vehicle to Auto Zone they checked it briefly for me and found no error codes but this shut down has now happened twice while driving is very scary. The warning lamp that pop while vehicle shut down was FEB warning light along with the battery light.

NHTSA ID

11564257

Incident

Jan 8, 2024

Car just stalls or cuts out and loses power. Dealership says it’s not pulling any codes.

NHTSA ID

11504021

Incident

Jan 27, 2023

The contact owns a 2019 Infiniti QX60. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the vehicle began to shake abnormally. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact continued to experience the failure. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 325.

NHTSA ID

11469618

Incident

Jan 1, 2019

Mileage

325 mi

The car engine suddenly shut off itself while I am driving in the middle of the road. The engine and the collision sensor lights were on, I had to fully stop the car and put it into "P" then restart the engine in order to go again. It was a heavy snowing day, I drove pretty slow about 20- 30 mph. It happened twice that day and one of the times I was stopped at the middle of an intersection. There were no warning lamps or any other symptoms at all, and my car still has fuel which the dealer can prove. It's extremely dangerous because my car just suddenly has to stop especially it was a snowing day. I got the car tolled to an Infiniti dealer the next day, they ran a check and did a test drive (was not snowing the next day) but they couldn't duplicate the problem, so they cannot fix anything. Contacted Infiniti Cooperate but they said if the dealer couldn't duplicate the problem, they cannot do anything about it.

NHTSA ID

11448668

Incident

Jan 16, 2022