Research · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2021 Infiniti QX80Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 7 owner complaints for the 2021 Infiniti QX80. Most complaints involve fuel/propulsion system (2) and vehicle speed control (2). The EPA rates it 15–16 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
15–16mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Jul 2026
Owner complaints
7
Top: fuel/propulsion system
Fuel cost / yr
$4,850est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Equipment: labels

Remedy pending

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Nissan Armada, 2011-2013 Infiniti QX56, and 2014-2027 QX80 vehicles equipped with 22" wheels. The Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) listed on the certification label is incorrect, which can allow the vehicle to be overloaded. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

EquipmentReported Jul 16, 2026NHTSA 26V455000

Back over prevention: display function

Free remedy

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2021 Infinity Q50, Q60, and QX80 vehicles. A software error may deactivate the audio/video control unit screen, preventing the rear-view image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Back over preventionReported Aug 2, 2021NHTSA 21V599000

Fuel system

Free remedy

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Nissan Armada and 2020-2021 INFINITI QX80 vehicles equipped with V8 engines. The impeller can swell and bind within the fuel pump module, causing it to fail.

Fuel system, gasolineReported May 20, 2021NHTSA 21V373000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

7 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2023 – Jul 2026
  1. Fuel/propulsion system2
  2. Vehicle speed control2
  3. Engine2
  4. Power train1
  5. Visibility1
  6. Exterior lighting1
  7. Other / unknown1

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 QX80 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
201421
201518
201615
201717
20189
201921
20206
20217
20221
20232
20242
20258
20268
20275
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Fuel/propulsion system

2 reports
“The vehicle loses power due to failure of fuel pump, this causes the vehicle to stall out whilst driving. exactly as described in [XXX] this is a known issue with 2021 Infiniti QX80 and Infiniti tells me there is no open recal for our vehicle. This is unsafe and dangerous.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 14, 2026Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11750272

Vehicle speed control

2 reports
“I have been saying that my vehicle is a safety hazard since April 2022. I have had it to the dealer 4x since then in addition to opening up several cases with Inifiniti Customer Service, but nobody has been able to protect my family and I and remedy the situation. At times the vehicle will not accelerate even when I push the gas all the way down. Then it will kick in and surge forward. I also have told them that at times it feels as if someone has rear ended me. There is a recall out there for cars manufactured through April 2020, but mine was manufactured in September 2020. Infiniti's recall is #R21A3 and the NHTSA ID is 21V373. I have experienced the same exact symptoms as those covered under this recall. Now Inifiniti is telling me that my transmission needs to be replaced as a result of metal shavings in the oil. Again, this could all have been caused by this fuel pump issue which was on their radar in 2021 and 2022 when I brought my car in the first time. Infiniti has failed to help me in every step of the way beginning with their Service Tech not fixing the issue back in 2022 through 2024 when I have consistently expressed my concerns while the car was still under warranty.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 16, 2026Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11711375

Engine

2 reports
“This is a 2021 Vehicle, and beginning in April of 2022, I have been telling my dealer that there is something wrong, but they haven't been able to fix it. When I am driving, there are times when the car will fail to accelerate. Also at times it feels like I have been rear ended and the car lurches. I have said this is a safety issue and neither the dealer nor Inifiniti Customer Consumer Affairs have taken this seriously and remedied the situation. They all say there is nothing they can do. I have taken it to the dealer 6 times and opened up a case with Infiniti back in 2024 with no resolution.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 7, 2026Power train, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11709395
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
5.6L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S7)
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 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
QX80 2WD
Auto (S7), 8 cyl, 5.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
142016$4,850554
QX80 4WD
Auto (S7), 8 cyl, 5.6 L, SIDI · 4-Wheel Drive
131915$5,150594
QX80 4WD
Auto (S7), 8 cyl, 5.6 L, SIDI; MDPV (Curb Weight >6000 lbs) · 4-Wheel Drive
131915$5,150593
  • QX80 2WD
    Auto (S7), 8 cyl, 5.6 L
    14 city · 20 hwy · $4,850/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • QX80 4WD
    Auto (S7), 8 cyl, 5.6 L, SIDI
    13 city · 19 hwy · $5,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • QX80 4WD
    Auto (S7), 8 cyl, 5.6 L, SIDI; MDPV (Curb Weight >6000 lbs)
    13 city · 19 hwy · $5,150/yr
    15
    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

2 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Infiniti QX80 SUV AWD
Frontal crash
3 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
21.9%
Overall
4 / 5
Infiniti QX80 SUV RWD
Frontal crash
3 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
23.7%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026Vehicle 15555Vehicle 15544
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

2021 QX80 questions

How many recalls does the 2021 Infiniti QX80 have?

3 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 2021 Infiniti QX80 problems?

Owners filed 7 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are fuel/propulsion system (2), vehicle speed control (2), engine (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2021 Infiniti QX80 get?

The EPA rates the 2021 Infiniti QX80 at 15–16 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2021 Infiniti QX80?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2021 Infiniti QX80 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026