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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2004 Infiniti QX56Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 106 owner complaints for the 2004 Infiniti QX56. Most complaints involve service brakes (33) and service brakes, hydraulic (32). The EPA rates it 14 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
14mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Oct 2010
Owner complaints
106
Top: service brakes
Fuel cost / yr
$4,450est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Engine and engine cooling

Free remedy

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 ARMADA, TITAN, INFINITI QX56 AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 FRONTIER, PATHFINDER AND XTERRA VEHICLES. THE INTELLIGENT POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULE (IPDM) ASSEMBLY CONTAINS AN ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) RELAY THAT HAS A DIODE FOR ELECTRICAL CURRENT NOISE REDUCTION. THE ECM RELAY MAY ALLOW SILICON VAPOR TO FORM AND, OVER TIME, THE SILICON EVAPORATES FROM THE DIODE MOLDING WHICH CAUSES SILICON OXIDE TO DEVELOP ON THE ECM RELAY CONTACT DUE TO ARCING.

Engine and engine coolingReported Oct 28, 2010NHTSA 10V517000

Suspension: lower arm

Free remedy

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT AND REAR LOWER LINKS, P/NOS. 54501ZQ00A, 54500ZQ00A, 551A1ZQ00A, 551A0ZQ00A , 54501EA00A, 54500EA00A, 551A1EA500, 551A0EA500, 54501ZR00A, AND 54500ZR00A, SOLD BETWEEN NOVEMBER 25, 2009 AND MAY 14, 2010 AS REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2010 TITAN, ARMADA, AND QX56, AND MODEL YEARS 2005 THROUGH 2010 FRONTIER, XTERRA, AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL LINK ASSEMBLY HAS TWO CYLINDRICAL COLLARS FORMING THE INBOARD ATTACHMENT POINTS TO THE CHASSIS. DUE TO AN IMPROPER WELDING PROCESS SOME COLLARS MAY CONTAIN WELDS THAT DO NOT MEET STRENGTH SPECIFICATIONS.

SuspensionReported May 20, 2010NHTSA 10E019000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

106 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2004 – Jul 2024
  1. Service brakes33
  2. Service brakes, hydraulic32
  3. Electrical system16
  4. Air bags10
  5. Engine and engine cooling5
  6. Engine5
  7. Visibility5
  8. Structure4
  9. Power train4

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 QX56 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2004106
200580
200680
200721
200853
20097
201026
201259
201332
Crashes reported
5
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
3
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Service brakes

33 reports
“My wife was driving home from work, said brake is failing, makes loud grindy, rattling noise when brake is applied. Once the car is turn off and back on, everything is back to normal. When I got home, i took the wheels off to check everything was ok, pads were almost new, which I replaced last year. Drove around for 10 miles no problem. This is a serious safety issue which Nissan/Infiniti should take care of.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 5, 2024Service brakesODI 11599181

Service brakes, hydraulic

32 reports2 crashes
“DRIVING WITH MY TWO YOUNG CHILDREN ABOUT 35 MPH WHEN I DEPRESSED THE BRAKES THE CAR SHUTTERED BADLY ON THE FRONT END AND THE PEDDLE WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE BARELY SLOWED DOWN. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO-ONE IN FRONT OF ME OR I WOULD HAVE CRASHED. PROBLEM CONTINUED UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RE-STARTED. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!!! MANY OTHER SIMILAR ACCOUNTS AND IT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE THERE IS A DIFINITIVE RESOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM EVEN AFTER SPENDING THOUSANDS AT THE DEALERSHIPS. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 13, 2012Service brakes, hydraulicODI 10455056

Electrical system

16 reports1 crash1 fire
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 INFINITI QX56. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. IN ADDITION, THE FUEL GAUGE AND OTHER GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DISPLAYED INACCURATE INFORMATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (INFINITI OF ELK GROVE, 8586 LAGUNA GROVE DR, ELK GROVE, CA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE PART WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 30, 2018Electrical systemODI 11123515
All 2004 QX56 problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
5.6L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 5-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular 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 Nov 8, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
QX56 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.60 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
121814$4,450635
QX56 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.60 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
121714$4,450635
  • QX56 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.60 L
    12 city · 18 hwy · $4,450/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
  • QX56 4WD
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.60 L
    12 city · 17 hwy · $4,450/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2004 Infiniti QX56 as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026
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

2004 QX56 questions

How many recalls does the 2004 Infiniti QX56 have?

2 safety recalls as of Nov 8, 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 2004 Infiniti QX56 problems?

Owners filed 106 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes (33), service brakes, hydraulic (32), electrical system (16). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2004 Infiniti QX56 get?

The EPA rates the 2004 Infiniti QX56 at 14 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026