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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2009 Infiniti QX56Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 7 owner complaints for the 2009 Infiniti QX56. Most complaints involve suspension (3) and electrical system (2). 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
3campaigns
Latest May 2010
Owner complaints
7
Top: suspension
Fuel cost / yr
$5,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

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

Service brakes

Free remedy

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 TITAN, ARMADA, AND INFINITI QX56, AND MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 NISSAN QUEST VEHICLES. THE BRAKE PEDAL PIVOT PIN END WAS NOT SPIN-FORMED TO SPECIFICATION DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS OF THE BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY. THE PIVOT PIN COULD SLIDE AND CAUSE THE BRAKE PEDAL TO PARTIALLY DISENGAGE FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL BRACKET.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Mar 2, 2010NHTSA 10V072000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

7 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2015 – Apr 2023
  1. Suspension3
  2. Electrical system2
  3. Fuel system, other1
  4. Steering1
  5. Exterior lighting1
  6. Electronic stability control (esc)1
  7. Service brakes1
  8. Structure1
  9. Air bags1

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
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Suspension

3 reports
“The contact owns a 2009 Infiniti QX56. The contact while driving approximately 25 MPH, there was swaying in the rear of the vehicle. The contact also stated that the fuel gauge was not operating properly after the fuel tank was filler. Additionally, there was an unknown failure with the rear suspension. The tire failure warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that an independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with rear suspension failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V402000 (Suspension, Steering). The approximately failure mileage was 167,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 14, 2022Steering, SuspensionODI 11473908

Electrical system

2 reports
“I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 435 W. IN KANSAS CITY KANSAS. IT WAS ABOUT 4:15 AM TRAVELING AT 70-72 MPH MY VISIBILITY WAS OK BUT I THOUGHT THAT IF I USE MY HIGHBEAM IT WOULD BE BETTER. AS SOON AS I CLICKED HIGH BEAM ON MY CAR INSTANTLY TURNED OFF. MY HEADLIGHTS MY INTERIOR LIGHTS AND MY RADIO POWERED OFF. AS A PANIC REACTION SINCE I HAD ZERO VISIBILITY AND IT WAS DARK OUTSIDE MY FOOT THE BRAKES. AS I REMEMBER MY SIBAL HAD ALREADY TIGHTENED UP BEFORE HITTING THE BRAKES BUT BEFORE I COULD REALIZE IT MY CAR PART POWERED BACK ON BY ITSELF WITHOUT ME DOING ANYTHING I LOOK AT MY SPEEDOMETER AND I WAS GOING ABOUT 67-69. WHEN MY CAR POWERED ON IT SEEMS AS IF IT REZONED AS IF NOTHING HAD HAPPENED NOW I BELIEVE IF I WAS IN KANSAS CITY KANSAS RUSH-HOUR I WOULD HAVE CAUSED A SEVERE ACCIDENT . EVEN THOUGH IT WAS MAYBE FOR A SECOND OR TWO THAT MY CAR HAD POWERED OFF IT WAS MORE THAT MY CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND I BELIEVE WITH EVERYTHING THAT WAS ELECTRICAL THEY HAVE POWER IT OFF I DON'T BELIEVE THAT MY BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD HAVE WORKED AS WELL. IF THAT WERE THE CASE I WOULD'VE NEVER HAVE GAVE THE DRIVER BEHIND ME ANY KIND OF WARNING FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO SLOW DOWN. LUCKILY…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 17, 2018Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 11152139

Fuel system, other

1 report
“The contact owns a 2009 Infiniti QX56. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the fuel gauge indicated that there was no fuel remaining, and the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact was able to pull over on the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and the mechanic stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V074000 (Fuel System, Other). The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 156,193.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 20, 2023Fuel system, otherODI 11518148
Send a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 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 11, 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.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 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 2009 Infiniti QX56 as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 5019
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

2009 QX56 questions

How many recalls does the 2009 Infiniti QX56 have?

3 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 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 2009 Infiniti QX56 problems?

Owners filed 7 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are suspension (3), electrical system (2), fuel system, other (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2009 Infiniti QX56 get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Infiniti QX56 at 14 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026