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

2005 INFINITI QX56 vs 2005 Nissan Quest

Reliability comparison based on NHTSA recall and complaint records.

Synced 2026-05-03 Source: NHTSA public records Reviewed by ASE-certified contributors
Quick verdict
2005 INFINITI QX56 versus 2005 Nissan Quest — 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 (4.0 versus 3.8) reflect different testing populations and use patterns — don't treat them as apples-to-apples.

2005 INFINITI QX56

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

2005 Nissan Quest

3.8/5
Reliability score
82 complaints
1 recalls (0 critical)
$10,850 repair exposure

Stories from the shop

These come from different vehicle segments, which means we're not declaring a winner here. The 2005 INFINITI QX56 scores 4.0; the 2005 Nissan Quest scores 3.8. 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 INFINITI QX56, know what you're getting into on brakes and fuel system. Those categories have noticeably more complaints than the 2005 Nissan Quest sees, and they're not cheap items when they go.

Going with the 2005 Nissan Quest? Watch the engine and powertrain. The 2005 INFINITI QX56 has fewer reports in those categories, so you'd be trading one set of weak spots for another.

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 INFINITI QX56
2005 Nissan Quest
brakes
31 reports
moderate · ~$450
No reports
engine
4 reports
moderate · ~$3,100
11 reports
moderate · ~$3,100
powertrain
3 reports
moderate · ~$2,500
12 reports
severe · ~$2,500
fuel system
13 reports
moderate · ~$1,200
No reports
electrical
3 reports
moderate · ~$850
10 reports
severe · ~$850
steering
4 reports
moderate · ~$700
4 reports
moderate · ~$700
airbags
3 reports
moderate · ~$1,100
4 reports
moderate · ~$1,100
body
No reports
6 reports
severe · ~$1,500
cruise control
No reports
4 reports
moderate · ~$600
tires
No reports
4 reports
moderate · ~$150

Common questions

Which is more reliable, the 2005 Infiniti QX56 or the 2005 Nissan Quest?

Based on the NHTSA data we track, the 2005 Infiniti QX56 comes out ahead with a reliability score of 4.0 versus 3.8. 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 Infiniti QX56?

Compared to the 2005 Nissan Quest, the 2005 Infiniti QX56 sees more reported issues in brakes and fuel system. 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 Nissan Quest?

Compared to the 2005 Infiniti QX56, the 2005 Nissan Quest has more complaints in engine and powertrain. 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?

The 2005 Nissan Quest has more active recalls (1 vs 0). Total count is less important than severity, though — a vehicle with one critical recall and zero moderate ones is generally riskier than one with five moderate recalls.

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 $10,850 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. "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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