Sign inCreate free garage
Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2005 Infiniti QX56Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 80 owner complaints for the 2005 Infiniti QX56. Most complaints involve service brakes (22) and fuel/propulsion system (12). 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
4campaigns
Latest Oct 2010
Owner complaints
80
Top: service brakes
Fuel cost / yr
$4,600est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 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

Fuel system

Free remedy

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2009 TITAN, ARMADA, AND INFINITI QX56 VEHICLES. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FUEL GAUGE MAY INACCURATELY DISPLAY THAT THE VEHICLE STILL HAS SOME FUEL, TYPICALLY ABOUT ONE QUARTER TANK, WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS EMPTY.

Fuel system, otherReported Mar 3, 2010NHTSA 10V074000
See all 4 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

80 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2005 – Nov 2024
  1. Service brakes22
  2. Fuel/propulsion system12
  3. Fuel system, gasoline11
  4. Service brakes, hydraulic9
  5. Electrical system7
  6. Exterior lighting5
  7. Air bags5
  8. Power train5
  9. Steering4

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
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
6
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Service brakes

22 reports
“I started to break saw a major traffic jam . And my steering started shaking and my breaks did not Stop like they're supposed to.almost was i huge crash w I th my [XXX] and [XXX] old”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 14, 2024Steering, Service brakesODI 11625120

Fuel/propulsion system

12 reports
“FUEL GAUGE SHOWS 1/4 TANK BUT IT IS EMPTY. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL ON THE HIGHWAY. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION COULD HAVE OCCURRED. WAS ABLE TO FIND SAFETY BESIDE THE HIGHWAY BUT THANKFUL IT DID NOT HAPPEN IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY HIGHWAY.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 1, 2019Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11217317

Fuel system, gasoline

11 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 INFINITI QX56. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF DUE TO LOW FUEL. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE LOW FUEL WARNING LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS REFUELED AND THE VEHICLE FUNCTIONED AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000. UPDATED 6/22/15*CN”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 7, 2015Fuel system, gasoline, Electrical systemODI 10715192
All 2005 QX56 problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 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 Oct 29, 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$4,600635
QX56 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.60 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
121714$4,600635
  • QX56 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.60 L
    12 city · 18 hwy · $4,600/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
  • QX56 4WD
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.60 L
    12 city · 17 hwy · $4,600/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2005 Infiniti QX56 as of Oct 29, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 29, 2026Vehicle 1388
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

2005 QX56 questions

How many recalls does the 2005 Infiniti QX56 have?

4 safety recalls as of Oct 29, 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 2005 Infiniti QX56 problems?

Owners filed 80 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes (22), fuel/propulsion system (12), fuel system, gasoline (11). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2005 Infiniti QX56 get?

The EPA rates the 2005 Infiniti QX56 at 14 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 29, 2026