Problems · NHTSA complaints

2013 Infiniti QX56 problems

Owners filed 32 complaints about the 2013 Infiniti QX56 with NHTSA between Feb 2013 and Aug 2023. The most-cited component is engine (19).

Complaints
32
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine19
  2. Suspension4
  3. Service brakes4
  4. Power train3
  5. Electrical system3
  6. Vehicle speed control2
  7. Fuel/propulsion system2
  8. Back over prevention1
  9. Seat belts1
  10. Steering1
  11. Visibility1
  12. Structure1
  13. Other / unknown1

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 6, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20131
20142
20151
20160
20171
20182
20193
20207
20217
20223
20235

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.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Engine

19 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2013 Infiniti QX56. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle made an abnormally loud ticking sound. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the timing chain had failed, and the failure was related to Infiniti Campaign Number: P6305. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the campaign had expired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 9, 2023EngineODI 11537471

Suspension

4 reports
“The contact owns a 2013 Infiniti QX56. The contact stated that intermittently while parked, and while driving at various speeds, the rear of the vehicle was sagging. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the air shocks and compressor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and the contact was informed that the warranty had expired. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000. The contact stated that the air suspension system on the vehicle never properly worked. There was an attempt to make repairs but that did not fix the problem.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 27, 2023SuspensionODI 11509354

Service brakes

4 reports1 crash
“THE BRAKE PEDAL SEEMS SPONGY AND WHILE BRAKING AT SLOWER SPEEDS THE SEAT BELT PULLS BACK VIOLENTLY PINNING THE DRIVER BACK AGAINST THE SEAT. REAR BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND BRAKE SYSTEM FLUID CHECK STILL NO DIFFERENT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 24, 2020Seat belts, Service brakesODI 11350880

Power train

3 reports
“The contact owns a 2013 Infiniti QX56. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she heard an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment while accelerating. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the timing chain. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Infiniti Service Campaign: ITB16-015a (Power Train). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 131,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 14, 2023Power trainODI 11526996

Electrical system

3 reports1 crash
“SUV WOULD NOT START SO HAD TO GET A JUMP. 1 WEEK LATER SAME THING. HAD BATTERY TESTED BUT WAS NOT BAD AND IT HAD JUST BEEN REPLACED BY DEALER IN 2019. 1 WEEK LATER AGAIN SUV WOULD NOT START. GOT A JUMP AND TOOK TO JBA INFINITI IN ELLICOTT CITY, MD WHO CHARGED THE BATTERY FOR 2 HOURS. 2 WEEKS LATER, SUV IS HESITATING TO START. I REFUSE TO PAY ANOTHER $186 FOR THEM TO DIAGNOSE AND THEN RECHARGE THE BATTERY AGAIN. AFTER SOME RESEARCH IT LOOKS LIKE OTHERS ARE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE. NEXT, CATALYTIC CONVERTERS. SUV IS 8 YEARS OLD AND JBA INFINITI IS TELLING ME I NEED TO REPLACE THEM @ A COST OF $7500. THIS IS RIDICULOUS.....I DON'T HAVE LOSS OF POWER BUT I SO GET THE "ROTTEN EGG" SMELL SOMETIMES. I WOULD THINK THIS PART WOULD BE COVERED UNDER EMISSION WARRANTY FOR AT LEAST 15 YEARS. I HAVE 142000 MILES ON IT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 4, 2021Electrical system, EngineODI 11431708

Vehicle speed control

2 reports
“Timing Chain”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 17, 2021Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11433350
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 6, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.