VehicleVerdict

2005 Infiniti QX56 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2005 Infiniti QX56 sits mid-pack among QX56 years: 101 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 73, with 4 recalls and no defect investigations.

Brakes leads the complaint categories with 35 reports (35% of the total).

101

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

6

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other QX56 years?

QX56 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 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, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all QX56 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Infiniti QX56 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes3535%
Fuel System2626%
Electrical System77%
Transmission55%
Engine55%
Lighting55%
Airbags55%
Other44%
Steering44%
Suspension22%
Speed Control11%
Latches & Locks11%
Tires & Wheels11%

Does the 2005 Infiniti QX56 have recalls?

4 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.

10V074000Fuel SystemMarch 3, 2010 · 340,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF GAS AND STALL ON THE HIGHWAY, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL SENDER UNIT INSIDE THE FUEL TANK WITH A NEW IMPROVED SENDER CARD. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 22, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

08V284000Climate Control (A/C & Heat)June 27, 2008 · 180,664 units

Defect

NISSAN IS RECALLING 180,664 MY 2005-2006 TITAN, ARMADA AND INFINITY QX56 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED AFTER MARCH 17, 2005, THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH A VISTEON AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER FAN MOTOR. THE FAN MOTOR MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SEALED ALLOWING EXCESSIVE WATER INTRUSION AND INADEQUATE DRAINAGE OF MOISTURE.

Consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE CORROSION IN THE MOTOR LEADING POSSIBLY TO OVERHEATING AND A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A 'THERMAL PROTECTOR KIT' AND TEST THE AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER FAN MOTOR AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 2, 2008. 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.

EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, SEEMINGLY AFTER SLOW DRIVING WHERE THERE ARE MANY STOP SIGNS NOT TOO FAR APART, THE BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON, THE BRAKE PEDAL WEAKENS AND BRAKE SYSTEM MAKES A RATTLING NOISE WHEN THE PEDAL IS PRESSED. THEN I TURN OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTART IT AND ALL IS BACK TO NORMAL UNTIL THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 2, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 INFINITI QX56. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH, THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED THE INCORRECT FUEL LEVEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · May 6, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 INFINITI QX56. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF DUE TO LOW FUEL. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE LOW FUEL WARNING LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS REFUELED AND THE VEHICLE FUNCTIONED AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 30, 2015

I WAS DRIVING IN THE CITY THEN SUDDENLY THE AIRBAG PASSENGER SIDE TURN ON WITH FLASHING INTER MITT THEN I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY REST IT ,AFTER ONE WEEK THE AIR BAG GET ON AGAIN , I AM NOW SCARE TO DRIVE THE SUV BECAUSE I HAVE A 3 CHILDREN S AND I NEED TO HELP ME WITH THIS PROBLEM FOR THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · January 25, 2012

WHEN CAR STOP ON STOP SIGN, READY TO GO, BRIEF A MOMENT IT HOLD A CAR & THEN GO. I HAVE BEEN TAKING TO A DEALER FOR FIX ,THEY COULDN'T FIX OR THEY COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM. SEEMS TO ME EITHER THE TRANSMISSION OR FUEL RELATE PROBLEM. MY CAR IS INFINITI QX56. PLEASE LOOK IN TO THIS PROBLEM. *NM

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · November 15, 2006

2005 Infiniti QX56 — common questions

Is the 2005 Infiniti QX56 reliable?

It is close to typical for the QX56: 101 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2005 QX56 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (35 complaints), fuel system (26 complaints), electrical system (7 complaints).

Does the 2005 Infiniti QX56 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 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.