2006 Infiniti QX56 Problems & Complaints

Average1.3× as many complaints as a typical year of the QX56 at the same age

Owners have filed 79 complaints about the 2006 Infiniti QX56 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is about average for the QX56 at the same age. The most reported problem area is the brakes (58 complaints, typically around 91,000 miles). 3 recalls cover this model year.

79complaints
3recalls
0crashes
0fires
0injuries
0deaths

Most common 2006 Infiniti QX56 problems

  • Brakes~91,000 miles
    5873%
  • Electrical system~120,000 miles
    810%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~167,000 miles
    79%
  • Engine & cooling~124,000 miles
    79%
  • Fuel & propulsion system~92,000 miles
    68%
  • Lights~108,000 miles
    45%
  • Other / not specified~108,000 miles
    34%
  • Suspension~143,000 miles
    23%
  • Equipment & accessories~140,000 miles
    23%
  • Stability & traction control~165,000 miles
    23%
  • Air bags
    11%

Share of the 79 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Infiniti QX56 complaints by model year

200420052006200720082009201020112012201310680792153726785732
Owner complaints per model year, Infiniti QX56. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best QX56 years: 2009, 2007, 2010. Years to avoid: 2011, 2004, 2012. Compare all years →

2006 Infiniti QX56 recalls (3)

Engine and engine cooling

NHTSA recall 10V-517 · Oct 28, 2010 · 747,480 vehicles

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.

Fuel system, other › Storage › Fuel gauge system

NHTSA recall 10V-074 · Mar 3, 2010 · 340,000 vehicles

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.

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.

Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner

NHTSA recall 08V-284 · Jun 27, 2008 · 180,664 vehicles

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.

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.

What 2006 Infiniti QX56 owners say

Brakes all 58 →

Brake Failure. The brake fails occasionally while driving on the streets or on the Highways without Waring. The brake pedal goes down to the floor, and grinding/hitting metal to metal sound is heard and vehicle brake control is lost. Experiences were traumatic; you swing left or right to avoid hitting another vehicle from behind or running a red light. The vehicle has been inspected by an independent mechanic, and the brake components: rotors, pads, drum, and fluid levels were ok, each time it occurs. The brake lights come off and on and each time, the mechanic finds no issues with the brake components. …

Sep 2022

My car has the notorious issue that seems a lot of Nissan titan, armada, and QX56 has. When driving, all if a sudden brake light will come on the dash. All of sudden, when I press in my brakes, it starts to make noise and loses almost all power in the braking system. Like the ABS is not working. When I turn the car off and back on, it goes away temporarily but will soon happen again. I took it to Nissan, and they say they couldn't do anything about unless it's malfunctioning. So the next time it happen, I risked everything to drive it from the highway to the dealership without turning the vehicle and off to ensure the issue is present when at the dealership. Car had 75K miles at the time. They then took it back and did some king of update or flash and everything has been working for a couple of years. …

96,000 miles · Jan 2017

Electrical system

When my car is in motion and I go over any bumps it pulls the back end of car my to the side and bounces around so much that I almost don't have control of my car.this will pull so much it take me to the side of the Land im currently in I have to make sure I look out for bumps in the road and make sure I slow down below the speed limit so I can keep control of the car. This causes my ABS to turn on when going over bumps because the car think im not in control which also cause more issues. This also cause a risk as I have other traffic driving around me, I have children and I am in constant worry that im not going to be able to slow down to keep control especially on a hwy there is no slowing down to 20mph on a hwy. 2nd issue my dashboard light continuous flicker and then go out. RPM/tack needle has quit working. I have had this repaired several time and still have the same issue.

143,000 miles · Jun 2019

SUV will have trouble braking, emitting a loud, grinding noise when brakes are applied. Diffiulty stopping. Almost caused a wreck twice now. Once vehicle is turned off and back on, the situation seems to stop. Happens periodically. First time had brakes, rotors redone in case there was an issue, though there did not seem to be according to the mechanic. Has continued to do it a few additional time. Took it into Infiniti dealer. Was told it was the brake vacuum booster. This item has been recalled on other 2004-2008 Infiniti qx-56 and Nissan armadas. Was told that my car was not on the 'recall' list.

153,000 miles · Sep 2020

Transmission & drivetrain

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Infiniti QX56. The contact stated that as soon as the vehicle was started, it shook uncontrollably and the transmission warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the transmission failed and needed replacement. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced the failure ever since it was purchased on December 4, 2017. The vehicle was taken to wendle Nissan (8900 n division st, spokane, wa 90218) where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed replacement. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 134,000.

134,000 miles · Jul 2019

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Infiniti QX56. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle started to vibrate and decelerated independently. The vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the radiator failed which caused coolant to mix with transmission fluid and caused the transmission to become inoperable. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000.

200,000 miles · Feb 2020

2006 Infiniti QX56 engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
5.6L 8-cyl5-speed automaticRWD12 / 18 / 14
5.6L 8-cyl5-speed automatic4WD/AWD12 / 17 / 14

EPA ratings. Class: SUV.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2006 Infiniti QX56 a good car?

Based on 79 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 QX56 rates average: 1.3× as many complaints as a typical year of the QX56 at the same age. 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 2006 Infiniti QX56?

The brakes — 58 complaints, 73% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the electrical system (8) and transmission & drivetrain (7).

How many recalls does the 2006 Infiniti QX56 have?

There are 3 recalls for the 2006 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 2006 Infiniti QX56 problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 92,000 miles; 17% 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.