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.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2012 INFINITI QX56 electrical problems
moderate Owners of the 2012 INFINITI QX56 have filed 9 NHTSA complaints about the electrical at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2008 QX56 | 6 |
| 2012 QX56 (this page) | 9 |
| 2013 QX56 | 3 |
When does it fail?
Of the 9 electrical complaints filed for the 2012 INFINITI QX56, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
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.
Of the 6 model years of INFINITI QX56 we track for electrical problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 9.
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 10 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
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full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
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 failure. The failure mileage was 48,000.
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 was replaced by Infiniti. Timing chain and both catalytic converters need to be replaced, with engine issues. Infiniti…
Experiencing almost identical issues to another complaint I saw that was previously filed (#10924936). Told we need to replace catalytic converters at $2,000 each. Dealership said it's a known issue with the vehicles. If it's a known issue, perhaps something should be done about it. We've also had to have the battery replaced numerous times. Had to call aaa several times to jump the vehicle.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2012 INFINITI QX56?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 9 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Based on the 9 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 82,007 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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.