INFINITI QX56 problems
59 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.0/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 6 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Vehicle dropped speed on the highway and started flashing the service engine soon light. The speed drop was severe and placed me in a dangerous situation on the highway. It also had a whining noise at start when I left . Took it to the dealer, they informed me the timing…
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Infiniti qx56. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH and slightly applying the brakes, the brakes seized, causing the vehicle to stop instantly. The contact stated that once the vehicle came to a complete stop, the brakes released and the…
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Infiniti qx56. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was restarted after several attempts. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the…
We have had problems with the battery since we bought the qx56. SUV's completely dies after a glove box light, radio has been played for 20 to 30 minutes, car cannot be jumped by typical cables, every time we either had to have a heavy duty jump done by tow company or battery…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2012 Infiniti QX56 reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.0 out of 10 based on 59 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Infiniti QX56 is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2012 Infiniti QX56?
On the NHTSA data, the 2012 INFINITI QX56 does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.0/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2012 Infiniti QX56?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 21 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 100,717 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 100,717 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Infiniti QX56 has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2012 Infiniti QX56?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 59 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.