Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2008 Infiniti QX56Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 53 owner complaints for the 2008 Infiniti QX56. Most complaints involve service brakes (18) and electrical system (8). The EPA rates it 14 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
14mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Jul 2010
Owner complaints
53
Top: service brakes
Fuel cost / yr
$5,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Air bags: side

Free remedy

NISSAN IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2008 NISSAN ARMADA AND INFINITI QX56 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 7, 2007 THROUGH FEBRUARY 14, 2007. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION A-PILLAR FINISHER MIGHT IMPEDE THE CORRECT INFLATION OF THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG NEAR THE UPPER PORTION OF THE B-PILLAR.

Air bagsReported Jul 22, 2010NHTSA 10V349000

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
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

53 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2008 – Sep 2026
  1. Service brakes18
  2. Electrical system8
  3. Suspension7
  4. Air bags5
  5. Service brakes, hydraulic5
  6. Power train4
  7. Fuel/propulsion system4
  8. Fuel system, gasoline4
  9. Exterior lighting4

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
0
Injuries reported
2
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

18 reports2 crashes
“There are times when driving under 50 mph brake light comes on and the brakes have goes out which cause me to do an emergency pullover turn off the truck for a few minutes and the brakes reset. This is very concerning for me. This has happened on a few occasions.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 24, 2025Service brakesODI 11668800

Electrical system

8 reports
“Fuel gauge reads incorrect when it does come on. Dashboard lights stay off until the tank is on E. Unsafe to drive bc you cannot see your speed. When the dashboard randomly flicks on it will show that it is changing the 2WD to 4WD to 2WD WITHOUT anyone actually moving the switch. I know the dashboard leds are not bad, they come on randomly and they are all present.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 5, 2026Power train, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11762367

Suspension

7 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 INFINITI QX56. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WHEN ENCOUNTERED A DITCH IN THE ROAD, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE SWAYED AND THE STEERING WHEEL VIGOROUSLY SHOOK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THERE WAS NO DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIR COMPLETED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE AND STATED THEY WOULD SEND AN INVESTIGATOR TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 12, 2016Steering, SuspensionODI 10915542
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
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 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, 5.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
121814$5,550635
QX56 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.6 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
121714$5,550635
  • QX56 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.6 L
    12 city · 18 hwy · $5,550/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
  • QX56 4WD
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.6 L
    12 city · 17 hwy · $5,550/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
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

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 Infiniti QX56 as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026Vehicle 2450
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

2008 QX56 questions

How many recalls does the 2008 Infiniti QX56 have?

4 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 2008 Infiniti QX56 problems?

Owners filed 53 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes (18), electrical system (8), suspension (7). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2008 Infiniti QX56 get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Infiniti QX56 at 14 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026