Most common 2004 Infiniti QX56 problems
Share of the 106 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Infiniti QX56 complaints by model year
Best QX56 years: 2009, 2007, 2010. Years to avoid: 2011, 2004, 2012. Compare all years →
2004 Infiniti QX56 recalls (1)
Engine and engine cooling
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.
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.
What 2004 Infiniti QX56 owners say
Brakes all 65 →
My wife was driving home from work, said brake is failing, makes loud grindy, rattling noise when brake is applied. Once the car is turn off and back on, everything is back to normal. When I got home, i took the wheels off to check everything was ok, pads were almost new, which I replaced last year. Drove around for 10 miles no problem. This is a serious safety issue which Nissan/Infiniti should take care of.
The first time I had issues with my brakes I was fortunate enough to be parked. I turned the vehicle on and tried to releases the emergency brake but the light wouldn't disengage. I put the vehicle in reverse and the applied pressure to the brake but the brakes didn't work. Then the vehicle made a severe grinding noise. I then turned off the vehicle and the problem went away. I then called the dealership and asked if there was a recall for this problem and they said "no". The second time it happened to me I was driving on the road. I notice the brake light turned on, so I slow applied pressed to the brake peddle and the vehicle would stop and began to shake furiously as if it was skidding on the road. Fortunately, their wasn't anyone on the road. The vehicle finally came to a stop and I was lucky enough to pull off the road. …
Electrical system
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 vehicles, however, I received no such notice and Infiniti says their is not recall associated with my VIN number. I believe my VIN number was left out in error and this should be recalled. This vehicle has also lost power a number of times while driving, but those incidents didn't result in an accident (luckily). Thank you.
I have an 04 QX56 as a daily driver. I was leaving walmart as I pulled out of the parking lot I pulled into the turn lane to allow a car to go by mashed my brake and it started jer king like something was trapped in my brakes. We pulled on down to a large parking lot got out notice the red brake light was on and under the hood something was clicking near the air intake thing. It did it the entire ride home as we were 30 mins from home we just drive slow. Got in it today for the 1st time was OK til about 45 mins into trip light came back on brakes started doing the same thing. I have read many people complain of this issue. If it doesn't get recalled there will be a wreck in these vehicles! Please make Nissan/Infiniti recalled this part! I have researched it and there was a lawsuit filed but it didn't make them admit there was an issue just made them pay for out of pocket expenses. …
Air bags
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 infinity QX56. The contact was driving 50 MPH when the front end of the vehicle began to shake. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who performed a diagnostic that located the failure at the front suspension lower control arms. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic to have the front lower control arms replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 110,000 and the current mileage was 119,000. The consumer at his own expense, he had to replace the left and right control lower arms. The consumer stated a recall was issued in May 2010. However, he was informed that for his model the parts were not defective, and therefore did not fall under the recall. Also, all four belt pre-tensions had to be replaced on both side. The consumer stated on four separate occasions the pre-tensions failed. …
We currently own a 2004 Infiniti QX56. We have received error code b1177 which is for the pretensioner in seatbelts. Additionally, the airbag light is flashing. We understand from the dealership that the airbag light came on due to the battery being replaced and that it needed to be reset. The airbag light came bag on shortly thereafter and we took the vehicle to a private mechanic who scanned the code. He advised us of the error code and what it was associated with. Upon further investigation, it appears that an extensive amount of owners of the Infiniti QX56 as well as the Nissan armada (sister vehicle) have this exact issue. We are unsure as to whether the airbags will fail if involved in an accident or if the safety belts will also not work. The vehicle has a 10 year seatbelt warranty but the dealers are stating that this item is not covered under warranty. …
2004 Infiniti QX56 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.6L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 12 / 18 / 14 |
| 5.6L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 12 / 17 / 14 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Infiniti QX56 a good car?
Based on 106 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2004 QX56 rates use caution: 1.6× as many complaints as a typical year of the QX56 at the same age. It is one of the QX56 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2004 Infiniti QX56?
The brakes — 65 complaints, 61% of all complaints for this model year, most often about foundation components › disc › rotor. Next are the electrical system (16) and air bags (10).
How many recalls does the 2004 Infiniti QX56 have?
There is 1 recall for the 2004 Infiniti QX56, the most recent from October 28, 2010 (engine and engine cooling). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Infiniti QX56?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2009, 2007 and 2010. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2011, 2004 and 2012. See the full Infiniti QX56 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2004 Infiniti QX56 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 87,000 miles; 34% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.