Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Infiniti QX56 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
I got Code : P0011 (my mechanic said that timing chain has to be replaced) I saw that Infiniti run the campaign as below : Dated July 15, 2016 VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN 2011 - 2013 QX56 AND M56; TIMING CHAIN CAMPAIGN ID #: P6305 APPLIED VEHICLES: 2011-2013 QX56 (Z62) 2011-2013 M56 (Y51) Check Service Comm to confirm campaign eligibility 2011-2013 QX56 IMPORTANT: The following service procedure for 2011-2013 QX56 is an abbreviated version of the Electronic Service Manual (ESM) procedure to replace the timing chains and related components. The Claims Information is based on this abbreviated procedure. I called Infiniti and they said that this campaign was for limited time and we called you but i never heard or aware about this otherwise I would have got it done . …
My 2012 Infiniti QX56 has a loud rattling noise coming from the engine. This started around Oct 2020 and comes and go. It has got worse over the last month or so and has started stalling and acting like it doesn't want to go. A few times the car will start shaking while I'm driving. It has been checked out and codes for converter and timing chain are there. Engine light is on. I drive this car with my 2 children and am afraid of the safety issue. I know there is numerous others having these same 2 issues with my year and make of car. Spoke with Infiniti Corp. and they will not do anything about it because my VIN is not under the recall. However, the vehicles with this issue that have been repaired under the recall have the same engine and same issues that I'm having. I think all vehicles in 2012 regardless of VIN should be under the recall as I'm seeing so many with these issues.
I own a 2012 QX56. Check engine light comes on and I take it to the dealer. It's the Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (catalytic covers - P0430 code) I was warned before I bought this vehicle about the cats going bad. Infiniti dealer, that I purchased the truck from said "this vehicle has been serviced at an Infiniti dealer since day one. Every possible service that was needed was completed. The owner took immaculate car of this truck. You won't have any issues." So tell me, if this vehicle was driven exactly how it was supposed to be and yet at 113K miles the cats go bad, why isn't there a recall?? This is a "top of the line SUV" and yet it needs $4500.00+ in engine repairs at just over 113K miles. Infiniti needs to step up and take responsibility for this issue. If dealerships are warning you about this issue, obviously there is a KNOWN issue.
The contact owns a 2012 Infiniti QX56. The contact stated that while driving at high speeds, the vehicle shook and then lost motive power. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnosed with fuel pump failure. The dealer informed the contact that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with timing chain failure. The independent mechanic informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
The Infiniti QX56 has a known issue with the timing chain on the side that drives the fuel pump. The chain stretches and begins to rub metal against metal. The cost to repair is 4000 - 5000 dollars and if you do not repair you run the risk of ruining the motor and that is 17,000. I was told by the Infiniti mechanic it is a known issue and he could repair them in his sleep and the new chains are "heaver duty". Infiniti says it is not a common problem so they will not repair it out of warranty. See the attached web site. Just this one site has over 70 people with this issue. Http://repairpal.com/abnormal-noise-from-timing-chain-area-266 at 4000 to 5000 to fix that is almost 400000 in repairs from just this one site. If it is not an issue I wonder why the new timing chains are heavier. These are not cheap vehicles and Infiniti should stand behind their product. …
Infiniti QX56 has a ubiquitous issue with timing chain failures going out between 60K-80K miles. This problem is not only a very expensive repair ($3K to $5K), but is also a severe safety issue if timing chain were to fail on the roadway. Infiniti has mentioned a possible recall, but seems to stalling due to the massive expense that they would have to bare. I detected a problem at approximately 70K miles, when starting on cold mornings. My vehicle sounded like a screaming Eagle for the first 5 minutes of operation. I eventually had a failure just over 80K miles (fortunately, while in the driveway). Per the service manager at my local Infiniti dealer, they have known about the part defect which all too common on 2010-2012 QX56 models. Infiniti resolved the issue and devised a new timing chain for the 2013 model. …
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. …
Engine complaints in other QX56 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2012 Infiniti QX56?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2012 Infiniti QX56, 49% of the model year's 57 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system › emission control › catalytic convertor (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Infiniti QX56 engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2012 Infiniti QX56, though it has 3 recalls 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 2012 Infiniti QX56 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 96,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 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.