Research · Midsize Cars

2012 Infiniti M56Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 4 owner complaints for the 2012 Infiniti M56. Most complaints involve engine (2) and electrical system (1). The EPA rates it 19 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
19mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Jun 2024
Owner complaints
4
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$4,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Power train: driveshaft

Free remedy

Nissan North America, Inc. (INFINITI) is recalling certain 2011-2013 M56, 2012-2013 M35 Hybrid, 2014-2018 Q50, Q70 Hybrid, 2014-2019 Q70, and 2015-2019 Q70L two-wheel drive vehicles. The driveshaft can fatigue and break.

Power trainReported Jun 21, 2024NHTSA 24V470000

Power train: driveshaft

Free remedy

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Infiniti M56, 2012-2013 M35 Hybrid, and 2014 Q70 and Q70 Hybrid vehicles. These models, equipped with 2WD and with a hybrid or VK56 powertrain, have a driveshaft that may break.

Power trainReported Dec 7, 2020NHTSA 20V755000

Fuel system, gasoline

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Nov 28, 2014NHTSA 14V683000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

4 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2012 – Aug 2022
  1. Engine2
  2. Electrical system1
  3. Fuel/propulsion system1
  4. Steering1
  5. Suspension1
  6. Wheels1
  7. Other / unknown1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each M56 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
201118
20124
20132
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

2 reports
“My 2012 Infiniti M56 is having the same issues as the recall number 11V592000 My car is currently at an Infiniti dealership. It was noted that it was low on oil and the fusible link was destroyed to prevent the engine from seizing up. My life was put endanger as my car shut off at the red light intersection. I received no warning lamps or messages of symptoms prior to the failure. Failure 1st appeared July 17th, 2022 Summary NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 INFINITI FX, MODEL YEAR 2012 INFINITI M, MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 NISSAN FRONTIER, MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 NISSAN XTERRA, MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 NISSAN PATHFINDER, AND MODEL YEAR 2012 NISSAN NV VEHICLES. SOME OF THE BOLTS THAT CONNECT THE ENGINE OIL COOLER AND THE ENGINE OIL FILTER TO THE ENGINE IN THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED TO BELOW SPECIFICATION STRENGTH. AS A RESULT, THE BOLT MAY BREAK AT THE OIL FILTER ATTACHMENT POINT AND CAN CAUSE AN ENGINE OIL LEAK. Recall 11V592000 Consequence IF THERE IS AN ENGINE OIL LEAK, THE ENGINE OIL PRESSURE WOULD DROP AND THE ENGINE COULD SEIZE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Car”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 4, 2022Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11477571

Electrical system

1 report

Fuel/propulsion system

1 report
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
5.6L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S7)
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
M56
Auto (S7), 8 cyl, 5.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162419$4,200468
  • M56
    Auto (S7), 8 cyl, 5.6 L
    16 city · 24 hwy · $4,200/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Infiniti M56 4 DR AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
11.3%
Overall
4 / 5
Infiniti M56 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
11.3%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 6635Vehicle 6522
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2012 M56 questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Infiniti M56 have?

3 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2012 Infiniti M56 problems?

Owners filed 4 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (2), electrical system (1), fuel/propulsion system (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2012 Infiniti M56 get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Infiniti M56 at 19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

How safe is the 2012 Infiniti M56?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2012 Infiniti M56 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026