Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2010 Infiniti QX56Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 26 owner complaints for the 2010 Infiniti QX56. Most complaints involve air bags (6) and steering (6). The EPA rates it 14 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
14mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest May 2010
Owner complaints
26
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$5,350est.
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

Suspension: lower arm

Free remedy

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 TITAN, ARMADA, QX56, FRONTIER, XTERRA, AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 19, 2009 THROUGH MARCH 3, 2010. 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 14, 2010NHTSA 10V208000

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 12, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

26 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2010 – Oct 2026
  1. Air bags6
  2. Steering6
  3. Electrical system4
  4. Structure3
  5. Wheels2
  6. Seat belts2
  7. Suspension2
  8. Engine1
  9. Exterior lighting1

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
2
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 12, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

6 reports1 crash
“The passenger airbag restraint system has failed. Specifically, the passenger seat airbag sensor has failed, meaning there is no current airbag functionality for the passenger in my 2010 Infiniti QX56. There was a voluntary safety recall for (R1606) for Infiniti QX56's with years 2014-2016 for the same fault. Obviously, this is a tremendous life and safety risk and should be resolved by the manufacturer.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 28, 2023Air bagsODI 11562306

Steering

6 reports1 crash
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 INFINTI QX56. WHEN DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS OVER ROUGH ROADS OR POTHOLES, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,006.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 16, 2015SteeringODI 10706120

Electrical system

4 reports
“I recently purchased this vehicle, and within weeks it began experiencing intermittent and complete failure to start. The most serious incident happened in Phoenix at a Walmart parking lot. The vehicle refused to start at around 10 PM, and I was stranded with my daughter until 1 AM in the middle of a severe storm. The vehicle would not crank, would not click, and gave no warning lights before the failure. We were stuck inside the vehicle with no ability to move it to safety. This created a dangerous situation because we were exposed to lightning, heavy rain, and unsafe conditions in a dark parking lot late at night. If the vehicle had failed in traffic or on the highway, it could have caused an accident or left us trapped in a hazardous location. The failure is unpredictable and has happened multiple times, making the vehicle unreliable and unsafe to operate. The symptoms match known electrical defects documented in Infiniti/Nissan Technical Service Bulletins, including IPDM failure, BCM communication faults, ECM relay malfunction, starter relay issues, and CAN communication errors. These failures can disable the vehicle without warning and prevent it from…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 18, 2026Electrical system, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11771971
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 12, 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 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 12, 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$5,350635
QX56 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.6 L · 4-Wheel Drive
121714$5,350635
  • QX56 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.6 L
    12 city · 18 hwy · $5,350/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
  • QX56 4WD
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.6 L
    12 city · 17 hwy · $5,350/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 12, 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 2010 Infiniti QX56 as of Nov 12, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 12, 2026Vehicle 5455
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

2010 QX56 questions

How many recalls does the 2010 Infiniti QX56 have?

3 safety recalls as of Nov 12, 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 2010 Infiniti QX56 problems?

Owners filed 26 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (6), steering (6), electrical system (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2010 Infiniti QX56 get?

The EPA rates the 2010 Infiniti QX56 at 14 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 12, 2026