Multiple incidents (3) of braking issues where vehicle loses braking ability however, it feels as though the ABS brakes are engaging. All three times the vehicle is moving at or about 40 MPH or less and decelerating so I have been able to come to a safe stop. However, I do have to push the brake pedal nearly to the floor and the "brake" warning light also comes on. . When I turn the vehicle…
2008 INFINITI QX56 brakes problems
severe 19 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
19
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
3crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 19 brakes complaints filed for the 2008 INFINITI QX56, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Brakes accounts for 37% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 6 categories tracked.
Among the 5 model years of INFINITI QX56 in our records for brakes problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2008 Infiniti QX56 has a well-documented brake system defect affecting multiple owners, with intermittent brake failure occurring mostly at low speeds where the pedal goes soft or unresponsive, often with a warning light and audible grinding noise. The problem resets after restarting but repeatedly recurs, and some owners report complete brake failure resulting in collisions despite no manufacturer recall being in place.
Multiple owners describe a consistent brake defect where the brake pedal abruptly loses pressure and sinks toward the floor during normal braking, especially at speeds under 50 mph. The brake warning light and sometimes the ABS light come on. Owners report hearing grinding, scraping, or spring-like noises from the brake system or dash area. In the worst cases, the vehicle loses braking ability entirely and requires extended stopping distance—200 to 400 feet—or drifts uncontrolled, leading to collisions.
The hallmark of this defect is that it resolves immediately after turning the vehicle off and back on, only to recur randomly days or weeks later. One owner had to pump the brakes over 200 feet to stop; another's pedal locked completely hard. Dealerships point to brake booster failure, faulty delta stroke sensors, or low brake fluid, with repair costs running $1,000 to $1,700. Owners note that dealer shops say they've seen the problem repeatedly in QX56s and Nissan Armadas but no recall has been issued. Research into online forums suggests a class action lawsuit was won against Nissan/Infiniti, and owners link the problem to the active brake booster and VDC control unit. Despite the severity—some failures have caused accidents—Nissan reportedly has not addressed the defect with a recall.
Same INFINITI QX56 brakes reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006
Failure modes owners describe
Intermittent brake failure with ABS engagement
Brake pedal loses firmness and sinks to the floor or engages and disengages erratically during braking. Vehicle requires extended stopping distance (200-400 feet) or loses braking ability altogether. Owners report ABS-like behavior or sensation. Brake warning light and/or ABS warning light illuminate. Issue resolves after turning vehicle off and back on, suggesting an electronic reset.
When: Most reports at low to moderate speeds (under 50 mph), some during normal city or subdivision driving
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal goes to floor with no resistance or pressure; Loss of braking ability or dramatically reduced stopping power; Brake warning light illumination; ABS warning light illumination (multiple reports); Pedal feels 'loose' and may engage then disengage repeatedly; Extended stopping distance required; Vibration in brake pedal; Problem resolves after vehicle restart
Codes mentioned: Brake booster fault (fault code mentioned in complaint #4), Delta stroke sensor defect (mentioned in complaints #6, #18)
Repairs/costs cited: Brake booster replacement cited at approximately $1,000 parts and labor (complaint #4); sensor replacement cited at $1,700 (complaint #3); brake booster and master vac assembly replacement attempted in complaint #9 without permanent resolution; some dealerships unable to diagnose or find fault codes
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls in place despite multiple QX56s presenting with same issue at dealerships (complaint #4). Owner research indicates class action suit against Nissan/Infiniti where plaintiffs won (complaint #6). Nissan aware of problem per complaint #7 but not taking responsibility. Related to active brake booster and VDC control unit per complaint #7.
Brake booster failure with grinding noise
Brakes fail during normal braking application with audible grinding or scraping noise from brake system or dash area. Brake warning light illuminates. Pedal may go to floor or become extremely hard and lock. Grinding persists even with new rotors and brake pads.
When: Complaints span various mileages and driving conditions; one failure at 48,670 miles (complaint #9)
Symptoms owners cite: Grinding, scraping, or screeching noise during brake application; Spring noise from dash; Brake pedal goes to floor with no pressure; No brake pressure even with repeated pumping; Brake warning light illumination; Problem resolves after vehicle restart; Noise continues even with new rotors and brake pads
Codes mentioned: Faulty brake booster (complaint #4, #8, #9), Master brake booster failure (complaint #8), Master vac assembly failure (complaint #9)
Repairs/costs cited: Brake booster replacement approximately $1,000 (complaint #4); master brake booster replacement diagnosed in complaint #8; brake booster and master vac assembly replacement attempted in complaint #9 but failure recurred resulting in crash; one owner opted not to repair after repeated failure
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer confirmed failures in complaints #4 and #8. Complaint #9 shows booster replacement did not permanently resolve issue. No recall in place despite multiple dealer reports (complaint #4).
Low brake fluid or sensor-related brake light activation
Brake warning light illuminates, often in conjunction with braking issues. One dealership attributed failure to low brake fluid (complaint #11), though owner notes repeated occurrence despite fluid top-off. In other cases, brake light appears unrelated to actual fluid level and computer does not register event.
When: Complaint #5 occurred day after battery jump-start; complaint #11 at 118,000 miles on used vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Brake warning light illumination; Brake fluid warning or low fluid diagnosis; Recurrent brake light activation after fluid refill; Computer does not register brake light event in some cases
Codes mentioned: Low brake fluid (complaint #11 dealership diagnosis)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership filled brake fluid in complaint #11; problem recurred within 3 days. Complaint #5 dealership found no issue after computer check.
Complete brake failure resulting in collisions
Brakes fail completely during normal driving, resulting in vehicle collisions. Brake pedal goes to floor, no braking response despite pedal application. Airbags did not deploy in reported incidents. Vehicle eventually stops but after traveling significant uncontrolled distance.
When: Complaint #10 at 44,000 miles; complaint #12 without mileage provided
Symptoms owners cite: Complete brake failure with no response to pedal pressure; Brake pedal goes to floor; Vehicle continues forward uncontrolled; Brake warning light illumination; Collision results; Airbags did not deploy
Codes mentioned: Service brakes (hydraulic: pedals and linkages) recall-related failure (complaint #10 references NHTSA campaign 10V072000), Faulty brake booster (implied in complaint #9 recurrence)
Repairs/costs cited: Complaint #10 involved wheel, axle, frame, and door repair due to collision damage. Complaint #12 involved radiator, front bumper, and hood damage.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Complaint #10 owner references NHTSA recall campaign 10V072000 but indicates failure was directly related to this recall despite recall being in place. Complaint #9 shows brake booster replacement did not prevent recurrence, resulting in crash.
Synthesized from 19 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 9 most recent
Apparently as all other complaints are similar with the brake light coming on and as I apply pressure to the brake to stop the scrubbing and scraping sound is unbearable, I've been told it's the brake booster is bad for Infiniti qx56. Fix the problem if everyone is having the same issue, please before someone gets killed. Also there's an exhaust leak which you can tell by a flickering noise when…
On 9-4-2011 I left tallahassee, florida. As I got to the edge of town I noticed it started to idle slightly high. By the time I got to thomasville, georgia, it would accelerate to about 45 MPH without any acceleration pressure and the brakes were required frequently. Between thomasville and moultrie, georgia, it would accelerate independently but it would drop down if I pressed and released the…
I hear I ping sound like a spring, the break light comes on and I am unable to stop the vehicle as normal. Appears the vehicle is attempting to slow down but does not come to stop as it normally should. Once I turn the vehicle off then back on it's just fine until it randomly occurs again when applying the breaks and/or when the vehicle is idle and the break light comes on. This issue only…
During the first two occurrences, while attempting to engage the brake pedal to slow down, the brakes appeared to "open up" causing the vehicle to thrust forward in a sliding motion instead of coming to a halt. While repeatedly pumping the brake pedal, the braking system appeared extremely "loose" and the brakes would appear to engage and quickly disengage. The span of breaking for each…
When attempting to stop two times in the past few months the brakes suddenly fail allowing us no ability to stop the car almost causing a serious wreck. The brake pedal goes all the way to the floor with the brake light (not ABS) illuminated on the dash. Even though Nissan consumer affairs is aware of this problem they are not being accountable or held responsible for this serious car defect.…
Just purchased a used 2008 qx56 with 118,000 miles. 2 incidents: while coming to a stop, brakes failed and brake light came on. Dealer says low brake fluid so they filled and all seemed fine. 3 days later, coming to a stop traveling less than 30 MPH same thing. The defect continued as I made my way to my house a block away. I can see why this issue would cause an accident and the issue in no way…
The brakes on my vehicle has a strange reaction when I brake at times and is hesitant to stop. It doesn't happen often but it's scary. Usually after I stop the vehicle, cut it off & crank it again the problem goes away only to do it again on a later date. After going online I find that many others have experienced the same problem with Infiniti qx56 & Nissan armada's. I'm sure whether or not it's…
Brake light comes on with a grinding sound and brakes fail to hold. Occasionally, slv light illuminates. Some days,it happens very frequently. Rotors and brake pads are new, but the problem still persists.
Had brakes trouble with your 2008 INFINITI QX56?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2008 INFINITI QX56?
It's a meaningful issue. 19 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 15 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 48,670 and 132,000 miles, with the median around 92,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 48,670; a quarter make it past 132,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2008/INFINITI/QX56.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.