KnownCarProblems2012 Infiniti QX56 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 57 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Infiniti QX56, most often about the engine (49% of complaints, typically around 95,500 miles). It is 5th of 10 QX56 model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2012 Infiniti QX56 problems
Engine
28 complaints · 49%Half of these problems showed up before 95,500 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system.
Takata inflators the vehicle was running on the highway and even after accelerating it won't run enough to get past traffic while changing lane and causing severely dangerous situations.
Infiniti QX56 2012 with 100,000 miles started making whining noise at start-up and the engine would run and sputter within 7k miles of a full synthetic oil change. Called dealership after working with local mechanic and they know their is a bulletin on this vehicle that requires and new timing chain be installed.…
Electrical
9 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 83,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2012 Infiniti QX56. The contact stated that the battery failed prematurely. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, and an independent mechanic, to have a diagnostic performed. The diagnostic test was unable to locate a failure code therefore, the battery was replaced several times. The vehicle…
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…
Fuel system
7 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 90,500 miles.
The fuel gauge may be slow to register, fail to read full when the gas tank is actually full, or read inaccurately. When filling gas tank to full, after 30 miles the gauge is reading 2/3 of a tank or less while the miles to empty reading is still high.
Was driving home, A/C was on, all lights was on, all of a suddenly lost of power to the engine and while going up hill, so I floor it so the vehicle so I can get past over the hill then I started to smell something through the vents like it was on fire coming from the engine bay so I pulled over and turned off the…
Other or unspecified
6 complaints · 11%My 2012 Infiniti QX56 needs a new timing chain and inifiniti said there was a recall but not on my particular VIN number. It seems odd that I have the year and make of the car with the exact repairs needed as the recall but they aren't covering it.
I took my 2012 QX56 Infiniti to Infiniti in austin texas and they told me both of my catalytic converter or out this need to be a recall issue want me to spend over $4,000 for both to replace.
Air bags
5 complaints · 9%The contact owns a 2012 infinity QX56. The contact stated that the front passenger air bag cover was cracking. There were no recalls and the issue was not covered under the extended warranty. The air bag could deploy without warning since it was cracked and possibly injurie the passenger. The contact went to Infiniti…
Transmission
4 complaints · 7%I have issues with air compressor and timing chain that just randomly went out, I was told there was a recall or campaign for it with Infiniti I called Infiniti and sent it to the dealership they stated it was not for my actual VIN number but for same car with different VIN number, I asked the question since I am…
My 2012 Infiniti seems to be having the same problem other Infiniti QX56 owners are having. Starts with a loud hissing/whistling sound which seems to go away after 10-20 minutes of driving and the car feels just fine. Today all my dashboard lights came on and my husband took the vehicle into the Infiniti dealer, just…
Body and structure
4 complaints · 7%Parts named most often: body.
The contact owns a 2012 Infiniti QX56. While the contact was exiting the vehicle, the door failed to open properly. In addition, the timing chain failed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The dealer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was less than…
My wife drove to my daughters school school for a basketball practice. She locked the doors using the keyfob like always. When she got back to the car she unlock the doors using the keyfob, but this time the drivers door did not open. She tried using the door entry button on the handle which did not work. She then got…
Suspension
4 complaints · 7%My 2012 Infiniti QX56 with hbmc drives very twitchy and feels unsafe to drive. It hadles well on perfectly smooth roads but if there are any imperfections it tries to jump back and forth in the lane. I have had the wheels balanced and alignment performed at the local nissan dealer but this has not helped the driving…
I have issues with air compressor and timing chain that just randomly went out, I was told there was a recall or campaign for it with Infiniti I called Infiniti and sent it to the dealership they stated it was not for my actual VIN number but for same car with different VIN number, I asked the question since I am…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2012 Infiniti QX56 recalls
Equipment: labels
Risk: An overloaded vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will install new labels, free of charge. Additionally, nissan will mail replacement labels to owners. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed september 2, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated fall 2026. Owners may contact nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's numbers for this recall are r26b1 and p6a13/4. Vehicle identification numbers (vins) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on july 16, 2026.
Full defect summary
Nissan north america, inc. (nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2026 nissan armada, 2011-2013 infiniti qx56, and 2014-2027 qx80 vehicles equipped with 22" wheels. The gross axle weight rating (gawr) listed on the certification label is incorrect, which can allow the vehicle to be overloaded. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard number 110, "tire selection and rims."
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began may 7, 2020. Owners may contact nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or infiniti customer service at 1-800-662-6200.
Full defect summary
Nissan north america, inc. (nissan) is recalling certain 2012-2017 nv cargo and nv passenger van, 2013-2015 titan and armada and 2011-2012 infiniti qx56 vehicles. Due to a manufacturing issue, the air bag inflator may not function properly or may rupture during deployment.
Fuel system: fuel system, gasoline
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source could cause a vehicle fire.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will re-torque the fuel pressure sensors free of charge. The recall began on january 25, 2015. Owners may contact nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Full defect summary
Nissan north america, inc. (nissan) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 nissan juke, 2012-2013 infiniti m56, qx56, and 2014-2015 infiniti q70 (v8 engine vehicles only), and qx80 vehicles. The fuel pressure sensors may not have been sufficiently tightened during production. As a result, the fuel pressure sensor may loosen with vehicle usage and cause a fuel leak.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2012 Infiniti QX56
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Infiniti QX56?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (28 complaints, typically around 95,500 miles); electrical (9 complaints, typically around 83,000 miles); fuel system (7 complaints, typically around 90,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2012 Infiniti QX56 have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 15, 2026 (equipment). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2012 a bad year for the Infiniti QX56?
- It is 5th of 10 QX56 model years by number of complaints, with 57 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.