Most common 2012 Infiniti QX56 problems
Share of the 57 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 →
2012 Infiniti QX56 recalls (3)
Equipment › Other › Labels
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Nissan Armada, 2011-2013 Infiniti QX56, and 2014-2027 QX80 vehicles equipped with 22" wheels. The Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) listed on the certification label is incorrect, which can allow the vehicle to be overloaded.
Remedy: Dealers will install new labels, free of charge. Additionally, Nissan will mail replacement labels to owners. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed September 2, 2026.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2012-2017 NV Cargo and NV Passenger Van, 2013-2015 Titan and Armada and 2011-2012 Infiniti QX56 vehicles. Due to a manufacturing issue, the air bag inflator may not function properly or may rupture during deployment.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2020.
Fuel system, gasoline
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Nissan Juke, 2012-2013 Infiniti M56, QX56, and 2014-2015 Infiniti Q70 (V8 engine vehicles only), and QX80 vehicles. The fuel pressure sensors may not have been sufficiently tightened during production.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will re-torque the fuel pressure sensors free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
What 2012 Infiniti QX56 owners say
Engine & cooling all 28 →
The contact owns a 2012 Infiniti QX56. The contact stated that while driving at 56 MPH, the vehicle slowed down and failed to respond as intended. An oil change was performed; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the high-pressure fuel pump was leaking, causing the timing chain to fail. The check engine warning light illuminated, and the failure progressed, causing the vehicle to stall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle failed on the side of the road and was towed to the residence. The contact used an OBD scanner and retrieved DTC: P0021, P0011, and P0300. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure, and Customer Service Program Number: P6305. The VIN was provided, and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not covered under the campaign and that the campaign had expired. …
The contact owns a 2012 Infiniti QX56. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle started shaking violently. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the timing chain to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and continued to experience the failure. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.
Electrical system
Was driving home, A/C was on, all lights was on, all of a suddenly lost of power to the engine and while going up hill, so I floor it so the vehicle so I can get past over the hill then I started to smell something through the vents like it was on fire coming from the engine bay so I pulled over and turned off the engine pop the hood but didn't see no fire, then when I tried to start the vehicle back up it wouldn't so I waited for few minutes and tried again, the vehicle started back up so I went on driving again but it didn't show any thing on the dash no check engine light at all. …
We have had problems with the battery since we bought the QX56. SUV's completely dies after a glove box light, radio has been played for 20 to 30 minutes, car cannot be jumped by typical cables, every time we either had to have a heavy duty jump done by tow company or battery was replaced by Infiniti. Timing chain and both catalytic converters need to be replaced, with engine issues. Infiniti had SUV for almost a month to fix engine and timing chain. Engine light still coming on then we where told the converters needed to be replaced. $5K to fix. It sounds like this is a very common issue with QX56 for this year and others. After each time engine light came on Infiniti service dept told us to continue driving the car and after 2 weeks if it didn't reset then call back again. …
Fuel & propulsion system
Was driving home, A/C was on, all lights was on, all of a suddenly lost of power to the engine and while going up hill, so I floor it so the vehicle so I can get past over the hill then I started to smell something through the vents like it was on fire coming from the engine bay so I pulled over and turned off the engine pop the hood but didn't see no fire, then when I tried to start the vehicle back up it wouldn't so I waited for few minutes and tried again, the vehicle started back up so I went on driving again but it didn't show any thing on the dash no check engine light at all. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Infiniti QX56. The contact received a notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14V683000 (fuel system, gasoline) however, the part needed to do the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced the failure. The failure mileage was 19,000.
2012 Infiniti QX56 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.6L 8-cyl | 7-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 20 / 16 |
| 5.6L 8-cyl | 7-speed automatic | 4WD | 14 / 20 / 16 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Infiniti QX56 a good car?
Based on 57 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 QX56 rates use caution: 1.4× 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 2012 Infiniti QX56?
The engine & cooling — 28 complaints, 49% of all complaints for this model year, most often about exhaust system › emission control › catalytic convertor. Next are the electrical system (9) and fuel & propulsion system (7).
How many recalls does the 2012 Infiniti QX56 have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2012 Infiniti QX56, the most recent from July 15, 2026 (labels). 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 2012 Infiniti QX56 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 86,000 miles; 25% 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.