Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Infiniti QX56 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
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 vehicle back to the dealer. The dealer advised that the brakes were normal and would feel uncomfortable until they were broken in. The next day while driving at 55 MPH and applying the brakes, the brakes would not engage and the contact crashed into a guard rail. The contact suffered injuries to his right foot. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact was transported to the hospital and one third of his foot was amputated due to the injury sustained in the crash. A police report was available. …
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. …
The vehicle's brake warning light keeps coming on. Rotors are fine. Brake fluid level is high. Yet, when I apply my foot on the brake, the warning light comes on and there is also a bad sound on the front wheels that sounds like metal to metal (there is a vibration). Once I pull over and turn the vehicle off for a minute or so, I am able to continue. However, the warning light comes back on moments later. This is getting very dangerous as it May trigger me to rear end the vehicle in front of me. The problem has been happening for the past eight months. However, it has been getting worst. The cruise control light also comes and stays on. Please help.
I get a brake light and a slip light sometimes when applying the brakes. Makes an awful noise and sometimes the brakes fail to operate. I have to turn the car off and restart it to reset something and then its fine for a few days and comes back. It is very scary. Others who have the same vehicle have complained of the same thing. Saying they think the brake master cylinder is defective. I have also heard of people crashing their SUV because of this. This happens just when applying the brakes. I see this a lot in the forums and wonder why they haven't recalled this dangerous defect. This has been happening numerous times in the past 5 years.
Emergency brake: e-brake appears to engage on its own and the brake light indicator comes on. There's also a grinding sound when brake is pressed. Grinding sounds only occurs when this issue comes up. Exhaust manifolds: was notified by the dealer upon a service inspection that there was a small crack in the exhaust manifolds. Is this a normal thing? And should this be a recall item as it could throw off any smog check testing. In addition how about the exhaust in the cabin issue? Maybe they used too thin of a metal for the manifolds.
On two separate occasions while the car was moving in a dry parking lot and applying my brakes, my ABS brakes kicked on for no reason and the car was difficult to control and stop. The light came on as well and I heard alot of grinding. This was very scary as both times I had my children in the car. The only way to reset ABS was to turn off vehicle. I am so afraid that this will happen again and I May not be able to stop. I am now afraid to drive and am thinking about selling it because I feel it is not safe to drive.
While driving at low/high speeds, the brake light will just turn on unexpectedly. Also, the ABS brakes seem to fail where you have to press the brake pedal to the floor. The only way to temporarily fix this is to turn the engine off and turn it back on for the brake light to go away. Again, this will occur at least 1-2 times a day and/or 28 times in a month while driving. This is a very dangerous situation to put a driver in on the highway or other roadways.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Infiniti QX56. The contact stated that the brakes pulsated and made an abnormal grinding noise. The check engine and ABS warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the brakes functioned normally. The brake master cylinder was replaced, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.
Brake complaints in other QX56 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2004 Infiniti QX56?
NHTSA has 65 complaints about the brakes of the 2004 Infiniti QX56, 61% of the model year's 106 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Infiniti QX56 brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2004 Infiniti QX56, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2004 Infiniti QX56 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 82,000 miles, and 32% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.