2015 INFINITI QX80 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 2015 INFINITI QX80, 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
- Fuel system828.6%
- Engine517.9%
- Airbags414.3%
- Brakes414.3%
- Powertrain (other)310.7%
- Driver assistance27.1%
- Seat belts13.6%
- Suspension13.6%
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
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
There is a strong smell of gas on the driver side after I have been driving. Other innfinity QX80 owners reported online with the same model, that this is in fact a recall issue for this make and model, and year. However when i call Infinity, they say they cant find anything on my car. it is not?? however your website clearly lists it as a problem for this particular car?? what do i do next.
I have come to notice that when I put gas in my 2015 Infiniti (V8 engine vehicles only), 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.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2015 Infiniti QX80. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving approximately 20-25 MPH, the vehicle lost power, the engine revved abnormally, and the transmission failed to shift as intended. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer; however, the cause of the failure was not duplicated. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
The most glaring safety issue caused by below is the SUV will try to move forward on its own while stopped and the brakes pressed that can potentially cause a fender bender. Infiniti/Nissan 5.6L engines have a history of failed or failing viscous cooling fan clutches. This goes back over a decade based on the TSG released by NISMO. When the viscous fan begins to fail, the most glaring symptom is that ECM will compensate by revving up the engine RPM...specially with the AC on. This can cause the RPM to go from around 500 to 1000 RPM during an RPM surge. The surge is enough to move the SUV forward at a stop unless the brake is firmly pressed. On hot weather days, this risk is frequent and significant at a top. This viscous fan issue also puts signficant load on the engine and causes significant power loss to the drive train. This issue does not cause any type of "check engine" light since it is strictly a mechanical failure of the mechanism containing the fluids in the viscous assembly.
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
The airbag system in my recently purchased (4 months ago)QX80 Infiniti 2015 is malfunctioning/failed. It is available for inspection upon request. The warning light came on within 2 months of my purchase. I took it to the dealerships for repair, was told “this is unusual for this age car & mileage” stating it was the driver curtain airbag module which I paid a large amount to have replaced. When I received the car back, the warning light was no longer on. A month & a half later, the warning light returned. Took it back to the same dealership where I am now told that when it was repaired prior it was merely a guess as to the problem & that now a different part of the system needs replacing (airbag diag system) “in hopes of this being the issue” There is also an accompanying hefty price for this repair. But I was also told (at this juncture) that if this part replacement did not take care of the problem, the next step would be to replace the airbag wiring harness which would cost $7,500.00 (total for all these “repairs” would be above $12,500) If they believe they had repaired the problem with the first repair, why do they not start there? Is/was my driver’s side airbag system working after the first repair or not or was the warning system just reset? I’m concerned that if they only can “believe” they have fixed the problem, how can I be assured that the system IS REPAIRED & will work in case of an accident? Did the system actually “work” with the first repair only to stop working or then oddly another component stop working a month & a half later? I was not able to be assured that even if the harness (most expensive repair of the 3) is replaced that this would actually take care of the problem either. I was told this is the “next step” in the Infiniti step decision tree. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE. I have looked for recall info but have not found any recalls. I am wanting to know if this problem/issue has been reported before on this make/model/year vehicle. Thank you
2015-2019 model year Nissan and Infiniti vehicles suffer from an on-board computer algorithm defect that can cause the side curtain airbag to spontaneously deploy.
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
I WAS DRIVING DOWN BACK STREET AND APPLIED BRAKES DUE TO A STOP SIGN AHEAD OF ME AND MY VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. I WAS IN TOTAL SHOCK AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT AND COULD NOT BELIEVE I REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DATE OF THE ACCIDENT WAS 2/9/2018. AFTER SPEAKING WITH TWO OF MY OTHER FRIENDS WEEKS LATER. MY FRIEND THAT OWNER A NISSAN MURANO REAR ENDED ANOTHER CAR WHEN SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES. MY OTHER FRIEND WHO OWNS AN INFINITY HAD HER VEHICLE IN THE SHOP FOR BRAKING PROBLEMS. TO ME THIS SEEMS A LITTLE IRONIC IF YOU ASK ME. *DSY
THIS VEHICLE HAS AN ISSUE WITH UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION WHEN I FIRST TAKE OFF. WITH MY BRAKE PEDAL APPLIED THE ENGINE RPM IS APPROX. 550, WHICH IS IN SPECS. AS SOON AS I RELEASE THE BRAKES THE RPM JUMPS TO 1100 RPM AND THE VEHICLE TAKES OFF ON IT'S ON. MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER TWICE FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THEY SAY THEY CAN'T HELP ME, MY FIRST EXPERIENCE I ALMOST REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THIS AN ISSUE THAT NEEDS ADDRESSED. STREET CONDITIONS, WEATHER CONDITIONS DON'T MAKE A DIFFERENCE, AND HAS DONE IT SINCE I PURCHASED IT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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 2015 Infiniti QX80. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving approximately 20-25 MPH, the vehicle lost power, the engine revved abnormally, and the transmission failed to shift as intended. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer; however, the cause of the failure was not duplicated. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
The most glaring safety issue caused by below is the SUV will try to move forward on its own while stopped and the brakes pressed that can potentially cause a fender bender. Infiniti/Nissan 5.6L engines have a history of failed or failing viscous cooling fan clutches. This goes back over a decade based on the TSG released by NISMO. When the viscous fan begins to fail, the most glaring symptom is that ECM will compensate by revving up the engine RPM...specially with the AC on. This can cause the RPM to go from around 500 to 1000 RPM during an RPM surge. The surge is enough to move the SUV forward at a stop unless the brake is firmly pressed. On hot weather days, this risk is frequent and significant at a top. This viscous fan issue also puts signficant load on the engine and causes significant power loss to the drive train. This issue does not cause any type of "check engine" light since it is strictly a mechanical failure of the mechanism containing the fluids in the viscous assembly.
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
DRIVING DOWN A CITY STREET AT ABOUT 25-30 MPH WITH NO CARS IN CLOSE PROXIMITY IN FRONT OF VEHICLE. HEARD THREE QUICK BEEPS AND THEN THE CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. MOVED FOOT FROM GAS PEDDLE TO THE BRAKE TO FIND THE BRAKE TO THE FLOOR. NO INJURIES OR DAMAGE WAS SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN DIRECTLY TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. INFINITI CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED. THEY AGREED WITH DEALER THAT IT COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. COULD NOT TELL US IF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED REGARDING THE FEB SAFETY FEATURE OF THE QX80. *TR
I WAS A PASSENGER IN MY INFINITI QX80 GOING ABOUT 25 +/- . THERE WERE 3 BEEPS AND THE CAR SUDDENLY BREAKED ON ITS OWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. I LOOKED UP TO FIND NOTHING IN FRONT OF US. THE DRIVER SAID THE CAR BREAKED SUDDENLY ON ITS OWN! HER FOOT WAS ON THE GAS PEDDLE AND WHEN SHE REACTED BY GOING FOR THE BREAK IT WAS ALREADY TO THE FLOOR. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO REASON FOR THIS EMERGENCY COLLISION FEATURE TO GO OFF. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO ONE CLOSE ENOUGH BEHIND US TO REAREND US, ALTHOUGH I'M CERTAIN THE DRIVER WONDERED WHY WE SLAMMED ON OUR BREAKS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. THANKFULLY WE HAD ALREADY GOT OFF OF I80 WHERE OUR SPEEDS RANGED UP TO 70 MPH. THE DEALERSHIP CURRENTLY HAS THE CAR AND CLAIMS THEY CAN NOT FIND ANY ISSUES, I'M FEARFUL OF GETTING BEHIND THE WHEEL AND TAKING ANY CHANCES OF IT HAPPENING AGAIN. THE GENERAL MANAGER ASKED IF IT WERE RAINING HARD WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED.....THIS MAKES ME EVEN LESS CONFIDENT IN THIS SAFETY FEATURE. THE OTHER SUGGESTION WAS AN OBJECT IN THE ROAD. IF THE FEB IS ET OFF BY RAIN OR A SMALL OBJECT IN THE ROAD THAT IS NOT VISIBLE TO THE EYE, THAT IS NOT A SAFETY FEATURE,
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
2015-2019 model year Nissan and Infiniti vehicles suffer from an on-board computer algorithm defect that can cause the side curtain airbag to spontaneously deploy.
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
The contact owns a 2015 Infiniti QX80. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the rear passenger-side wheel began to detach from the control arm, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. Despite the failure, the contact was able to pull over to the highway shoulder. Upon inspection, the contact observed that the rear passenger-side tire was resting at a 45-degree angle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was discovered that the rear control arm was severely corroded. The mechanic then informed the contact that an unknown TSB was related to the failure, and the contact was referred to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall or warranty coverage on the vehicle. The contact was provided a case number and was referred to the dealer, who determined that the entire rear subframe needed to be replaced. The dealer had given the contact's mechanic an estimate for the repair. The vehicle had yet to be repaired and remained in the mechanic's possession. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.
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 .