VehicleVerdict

2004 Infiniti QX56 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 147 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.0 times the median QX56 year — the 2004 model ranks #1 of 10 QX56 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

The trouble concentrates in one system: brakes issues account for 45% of all reports (66 of 147), far ahead of electrical system at 18.

147

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

7

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other QX56 years?

QX56 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted147 complaints2004: 147 complaints2005: 101 complaints2006: 100 complaints2007: 28 complaints2008: 73 complaints2009: 14 complaints2010: 32 complaints2011: 94 complaints2012: 72 complaints2013: 43 complaints
QX56 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all QX56 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 Infiniti QX56 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes6645%
Electrical System1812%
Engine107%
Airbags107%
Visibility & Wipers64%
Fuel System64%
Body & Structure53%
Steering43%
Transmission43%
Seats43%
Other43%
Suspension32%
Speed Control32%
Seat Belts21%
Driver Assistance11%
Latches & Locks11%

Does the 2004 Infiniti QX56 have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

10V517000EngineOctober 28, 2010 · 747,480 units

Defect

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 ARMADA, TITAN, INFINITI QX56 AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 FRONTIER, PATHFINDER AND XTERRA VEHICLES. THE INTELLIGENT POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULE (IPDM) ASSEMBLY CONTAINS AN ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) RELAY THAT HAS A DIODE FOR ELECTRICAL CURRENT NOISE REDUCTION. THE ECM RELAY MAY ALLOW SILICON VAPOR TO FORM AND, OVER TIME, THE SILICON EVAPORATES FROM THE DIODE MOLDING WHICH CAUSES SILICON OXIDE TO DEVELOP ON THE ECM RELAY CONTACT DUE TO ARCING.

Consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE ENGINE STALLING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ECM RELAY INSIDE THE IPDM ASSEMBLY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 6, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

10E019000SuspensionMay 20, 2010 · 1,873 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IF THE COLLAR WELD SEPARATES, THE VEHICLE HANDLING WILL DETERIORATE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY AFFECTED LOWER LINK FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 INFINITI Q-X56. THE VEHICLE WAS HAVING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE WHEN THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT THE FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED AT THAT TIME. WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM THE DEALER AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE BRAKES DID NOT FEEL NORMAL AND TOOK THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · September 1, 2009 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH UNDER CLEAR DRIVING CONDITIONS AND TOWING A TRAVEL TRAILER, INFINITI QX-56 HAD AN EXTENSIVE ELECTRICAL FIRE IN FRONT, INTERIOR CONSOLE, WHICH CAUSED MAJOR/EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. IF NOT EXTINGUISHED WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER, IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED MAJOR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 18, 2005 · fire

“THE VEHICLE DIED WHEN AT A STOP LIGHT AND ROLLED BACK HITTING THE CAR BEHIND US. I LOOKED ON YOUR WEBSITE AND APPARENTLY IT WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) IN THE INTELLIGENT POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULE (IPDM). THIS APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN RECALLED ON ALL 2004 TO 2006 INFINITI QX56…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 5, 2014 · crash

“CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · December 13, 2004 · crash

“2004 INFINITI QX56 DEVELOPED THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS: BRAKING DEFECT, AND THE DRIVER'S WINDOW WOULD NOT ROLL UP.[REDACTED]NO ANSWER REQUIRED[REDACTED] *MR THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE VIGOROUSLY WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE ROTORS HAD WARPED FOR THE THIRD TIME. *SC”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · September 7, 2004

2004 Infiniti QX56 — common questions

Is the 2004 Infiniti QX56 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 147 complaints put the 2004 model at #1 of 10 QX56 years. It is one of the QX56 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2004 QX56 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (66 complaints), electrical system (18 complaints), engine (10 complaints).

Does the 2004 Infiniti QX56 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2004 Infiniti QX56. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Infiniti QX56 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the QX56 years to avoid are 2004. The cleanest record among QX56 years belongs to 2009.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.