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Different vehicle classes · Different segments — choice depends on use case

2005 Ford Expedition vs 2005 INFINITI QX56

Reliability comparison based on NHTSA recall and complaint records.

Synced 2026-06-14 Source: NHTSA public records Reviewed by ASE-certified contributors
Quick verdict
2005 Ford Expedition versus 2005 INFINITI QX56 — different vehicles, different jobs

These two come from different segments, which makes a direct reliability comparison less meaningful than usual. Showing the data so you can see what each one is good at and where each one breaks down. The reliability scores (3.6 versus 4.0) reflect different testing populations and use patterns — don't treat them as apples-to-apples.

2005 Ford Expedition

3.6/5
Reliability score
315 complaints
0 recalls (0 critical)
$12,500 repair exposure
vs

2005 INFINITI QX56

4.0/5
Reliability score
80 complaints
0 recalls (0 critical)
$9,900 repair exposure

Stories from the shop

These come from different vehicle segments, which means we're not declaring a winner here. The 2005 Ford Expedition scores 3.6; the 2005 INFINITI QX56 scores 4.0. Different testing populations, different driving patterns, different categories of failure. Use the data below to understand what each one is good at and what each one breaks.

If you lean 2005 Ford Expedition, know what you're getting into on engine and electrical. Those categories have noticeably more complaints than the 2005 INFINITI QX56 sees, and they're not cheap items when they go.

Going with the 2005 INFINITI QX56? Watch the brakes and airbags. The 2005 Ford Expedition has fewer reports in those categories, so you'd be trading one set of weak spots for another.

On the dollars-and-cents side, total repair exposure across the top problem areas runs 1.3x higher on the 2005 Ford Expedition. That's the number to keep in mind when you're pricing the deal — a $2,000 difference in purchase price disappears the first time you're staring at a transmission rebuild.

Bottom line: these are different categories of vehicle. Pick based on what you actually need it for. We're showing the reliability data so you can factor in long-term ownership cost, not pick a winner.

— ProblemsByVin editorial team, drawing on the NHTSA data and shop experience.

Side-by-side by problem area

Category
2005 Ford Expedition
2005 INFINITI QX56
engine
77 reports
moderate · ~$3,100
4 reports
moderate · ~$3,100
electrical
54 reports
severe · ~$850
3 reports
moderate · ~$850
fuel system
41 reports
moderate · ~$1,200
13 reports
moderate · ~$1,200
brakes
13 reports
severe · ~$450
31 reports
moderate · ~$450
powertrain
38 reports
severe · ~$2,500
3 reports
moderate · ~$2,500
cruise control
31 reports
severe · ~$600
No reports
steering
10 reports
moderate · ~$700
4 reports
moderate · ~$700
body
13 reports
moderate · ~$1,500
No reports
airbags
No reports
3 reports
moderate · ~$1,100

Common questions

Which is more reliable, the 2005 Ford Expedition or the 2005 Infiniti QX56?

Based on the NHTSA data we track, the 2005 Infiniti QX56 comes out ahead with a reliability score of 4.0 versus 3.6. The margin is narrow, so the verdict could shift if you weight specific categories differently or factor in your own use case.

What goes wrong more often on the 2005 Ford Expedition?

Compared to the 2005 Infiniti QX56, the 2005 Ford Expedition sees more reported issues in engine and electrical. That doesn't mean it's a bad truck — it means those are the categories worth budgeting for if you go that direction.

What goes wrong more often on the 2005 Infiniti QX56?

Compared to the 2005 Ford Expedition, the 2005 Infiniti QX56 has more complaints in brakes and airbags. Whether that's a deal-breaker depends on the cost and severity — see the comparison table above for repair cost ranges.

Which has more recalls?

Both vehicles have 0 active recalls. Total recall count alone isn't a great signal — what matters is severity. See the recall counts by severity in the comparison table.

Is an extended warranty worth it on either of these?

Both vehicles are out of factory bumper-to-bumper coverage at this point. Combined repair exposure across the top problem categories runs around $12,500 on the higher-risk vehicle. A quality service contract typically costs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years, so a single major failure usually pays for the contract. The math favors warranty coverage on whichever vehicle you choose, especially if you plan to keep it past 100,000 miles.

Related comparisons

Reliability scores, complaint counts, and severity ratings derived from the NHTSA public records database. Verify each vehicle's federal record: 2005 Ford Expedition on NHTSA · 2005 INFINITI QX56 on NHTSA. "Repair exposure" is the sum of average independent-shop repair costs across each vehicle's tracked problem categories and is intended as a relative comparison, not an exact prediction. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. Some links on this page are affiliate links.
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