Problems · NHTSA complaints
2008 Infiniti QX56 problems
Owners filed 53 complaints about the 2008 Infiniti QX56 with NHTSA between Oct 2008 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is service brakes (18).
Complaints
53
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
5
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Service brakes18
- Electrical system8
- Suspension7
- Air bags5
- Service brakes, hydraulic5
- Power train4
- Fuel/propulsion system4
- Fuel system, gasoline4
- Exterior lighting4
- Engine3
- Steering2
- Electronic stability control (esc)2
- Seat belts1
- Visibility1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
0
5
3
1
4
8
10
1
1
3
9
1
1
0
1
1
2
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 0 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 8 |
| 2015 | 10 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 9 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 0 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
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.”
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.”
Suspension
7 reports1 related recall
“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.”
Air bags
5 reports1 crash1 related recall
“I was involved in an auto rollover accident on January2, 2023 when a driver "t-boned" me in my 2008 Infiniti Qx56 striking the middle of the passenger side of my Qx56 after running a stop sign and failing to yield to my right of way causing my Qx56 to roll over 3 times. My driver's steering wheel airbag did NOT deploy. To my knowledge all the other airbags did deploy. I suffered neck, right shoulder, and lower back injuries from the rollover but remained in the driver's seat as the seatbelt system worked well. My Qx56 was a total loss.”
Service brakes, hydraulic
5 reports1 crash1 related recall
“MULTIPLE INCIDENTS (3) OF BRAKING ISSUES WHERE VEHICLE LOSES BRAKING ABILITY HOWEVER, IT FEELS AS THOUGH THE ABS BRAKES ARE ENGAGING. ALL THREE TIMES THE VEHICLE IS MOVING AT OR ABOUT 40 MPH OR LESS AND DECELERATING SO I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO COME TO A SAFE STOP. HOWEVER, I DO HAVE TO PUSH THE BRAKE PEDAL NEARLY TO THE FLOOR AND THE "BRAKE" WARNING LIGHT ALSO COMES ON. . WHEN I TURN THE VEHICLE OFF, IT RESETS AND I DO NOT HAVE ANY OTHER ISSUES IMMEDIATELY. THE THIRD TIME (TODAY) 12/12/11, I TOOK THE TRUCK TO DEALER AND THEY, AT FIRST, SAID THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THEN UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION THEY CLAIM IT'S A SENSOR THAT WILL COST $1700 TO REPLACE. DISCUSSION THREADS I HAVE READ ONLINE (FROM AS FAR BACK AS 2004 UNTIL THE PRESENT) HAVE SHOWN THIS TO BE A CONTINUING PROBLEM ON NISSAN ARMADA'S (THE PARENT COMPANY OF INFINITI) AND THE QX56'S FROM MODELS 2004 TO THE PRESENT AND NISSAN CONTINUES TO IGNORE THE PROBLEM. SOME HAVE EVEN HAD COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE AND ACCIDENTS. I WILL TAKE MY RESEARCH TO THE DEALER TOMORROW AND FIGHT TO HAVE MY PROBLEM TAKEN CARE OF PRO BONO OR I MAY CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE I CANNOT AFFORD $1700…”
Power train
4 reports1 crash
“MY QUESTION IS SOMEWHAT IRRELEVANT NOW, SEEING THAT THE DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLES IS ALREADY DONE. I HAVE OWNED TWO VEHICLES MADE BY NISSAN, A 2004 ARMADA LE AND NOW A 2008 INFINITI QX56. ON BOTH OF THESE UNITS THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL PINION SEAL LEAKED CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL BEARINGS. I HAVE HEARD OF MANY OTHERS EXPERIENCING THIS SAME PROBLEM. Q. CAN YOU PLEASE TELL ME WHY THIS ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED BY NISSAN? IT'S OBVIOUS THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM (AMONG MANY OTHERS WITH THIS VEHICLE) THAT NISSAN CHOOSES TO IGNORE. *TR”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.