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Infiniti · NHTSA safety record

2013 Infiniti QX56

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 32 safety complaints about the 2013 Infiniti QX56 with the US government. Of those, 3 describe a crash, 1 person was injured and no death is recorded. 3 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 19 complaints, 59% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 102,500 miles, the median across the 20 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers February 2013 to August 2023 · How this is counted

What is on file

32 complaints on file

32

Complaints

3

Describe a crash

0

Mention fire

1

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
ENGINE 19 · 59%
SERVICE BRAKES 4 · 13%
SUSPENSION 4 · 13%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 3 · 9%
POWER TRAIN 3 · 9%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 2 · 6%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 2 · 6%
BACK OVER PREVENTION 1 · 3%
SEAT BELTS 1 · 3%
STEERING 1 · 3%
STRUCTURE 1 · 3%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 1 · 3%
0 8 15

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 32.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2020 at 7.

8 6 4 2
13 14 15 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2013 to 2023.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA has not crash tested the 2013 Infiniti QX56. Its New Car Assessment Program tests a selection of each year's vehicles and does not reach motorcycles, heavy trucks, motorhomes or most low-volume models, so an absence here says nothing about how the vehicle would perform. It is not a low score.

What owners have reported about this vehicle is below, and it is a different question: a crash test measures what happens to the people inside in a controlled impact, while a complaint records what broke during ordinary use.

Recall campaigns

3 on file

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

26V455000 · July 15, 2026

The defect
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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
The risk
An overloaded vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
The 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 are expected to be mailed August 21, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's numbers for this recall are R26B1 and P6A13/4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 16, 2026.

Nissan North America, Inc. · up to 168,149 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

14V683000 · November 28, 2014

The defect
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. As a result, the fuel pressure sensor may loosen with vehicle usage and cause a fuel leak.
The risk
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source could cause a vehicle fire.
The 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.

Nissan North America, Inc. · up to 133,592 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

14V668000 · October 24, 2014

The defect
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013 Infiniti QX56 vehicles manufactured September 1, 2012, to April 26, 2013, and 2014 Infiniti QX80 vehicles manufactured June 18, 2013, to February 11, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the driver's frontal air bag inflator may have been manufactured with an incorrect part.
The risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's air bag, the incorrect part may block the flow of propellant to the air bag and the air bag's inflator may rupture. The rupture could cause metal fragments to strike and potentially seriously injure the vehicle occupants.
The remedy
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2014. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

Nissan North America, Inc. · up to 1,848 vehicles across all model years covered

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

SERVICE BRAKES

1 injured · crash · 37,000 miles

4/14/15 VEHICLE PURCHASED FROM CARMAX. PROBLEM: BRAKES DO NOT WORK WHEN PUSHED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR FIRST BRAKE FAILURE (4/15/15) TWO DAYS AFTER PURCHASE, BRAKES FAILED AT APPROX. 6PM UNDER CLEAR WEATHER/GOOD ROAD CONDITIONS, WHILE TRAVELING NORTH ON VERMONT AVE. IN GARDENA, CA AT APPROX. 10 MPH. THE QX56 HIT A DODGE STRATUS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. THE STRATUS DRIVER WAS INJURED AND SUBSEQUENTLY REQUIRED MEDICAL TREATMENT. THE QX56 WAS RETURNED TO CARMAX FOR REPAIR, BUT CARMAX SAID THEY COULD NOT RECREATE THE BRAKE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO INFINITI AND AN ENGINEER WAS SENT OUT TO PULL THE BLACK (RECORDER) BOX. TO DATE, WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE REPORT OF FINDINGS. INFINITI SAID

NHTSA complaint 10717126, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VISIBILITY

crash · 16,823 miles

BACKING UP IN PARKING LOT SLOWLY (3MPH), UTILIZING ALL MIRRORS, GLANCING OVER BOTH SHOULDERS WHEN I BACKED INTO A VEHICLE'S BUMPER CAUSING DAMAGE TO MY BUMPER WHILE NONE TO THE OTHER CAR. THE INFINITI QX56 IS EQUIPPED WITH CAMERA AIDING CORNER SONAR AND MOD (MOVING OBJECT DETECTION). THE SONAR SYSTEM UTILIZES CAMERAS ON THE VEHICLE WHICH ARE DISPLAYED ON THE DASHBOARD DISPLAY SCREEN AS WELL AS AUDIBLE TONES WHICH INCREASE IN INTERMITTENT FREQUENCY UP TO CONTINUOUSLY, THE CLOSER THE OBJECT BECOMES. THE CORNER SONAR IS ADJUSTABLE TO HIGHER OR LOWER SENSITIVITY AND IS SET TO THE HIGHEST SETTING WHICH SOUNDS A TONE TO INFORM THE DRIVER OF OBSTACLES NEAR THE BUMPER - PER THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE

NHTSA complaint 10628623, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

crash · 99,000 miles

THERE WAS CAR THAT PULLED UP BEHIND ME WHILE I WAS IDLE IN THE DRIVEWAY AND AS I PULLED OUT NO WARNING BEEP..AND NOW THE VEHICLE. WAS NOT CRANKING FOR SEVERAL HOURS AND NOTHING IS WRONG WITH BATTERY AND REMOTE IS FULLY CHARGED & HAVE BEEN STRANDED SEVAL TIMES BECAUSE IF OF IT...THIS HAS TO BE A RECALL

NHTSA complaint 11413961. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

115,000 miles

The contact owns a 2013 Infiniti QX56. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle made an abnormally loud ticking sound. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the timing chain had failed, and the failure was related to Infiniti Campaign Number: P6305. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the campaign had expired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

NHTSA complaint 11537471. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

131,000 miles

The contact owns a 2013 Infiniti QX56. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she heard an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment while accelerating. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the timing chain. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Infiniti Service Campaign: ITB16-015a (Power Train). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 131,000.

NHTSA complaint 11526996. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SUSPENSION
Control arm failure

NHTSA complaint 11519033. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
Started car in the morning and it started misfiring very badly. Flashing check engine light. Immediately pulled over and shut engine off. Had it towed to my shop I use they hooked it up to computer and it was diagnosed as a loose timing chain. Basically timing chain replacement This is rediculous only has 129k miles. They claim timing chain and components are good til 300k with regular maintenance. This suv since new has had synthetic mobile 1 oil changed every 3500 miles. There was a voluntary recall on this issue. Why was it ever taken down Now I’m paying the car payment on a car I cannot drive. Till I spend $5000 to have all that replaced

NHTSA complaint 11514114. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SUSPENSION

40,000 miles

The contact owns a 2013 Infiniti QX56. The contact stated that intermittently while parked, and while driving at various speeds, the rear of the vehicle was sagging. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the air shocks and compressor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and the contact was informed that the warranty had expired. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000. The contact stated that the air suspension system on the vehicle never properly worked. There was an attempt to make repairs but that did not fix the problem.

NHTSA complaint 11509354. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
Our Infiniti QX56 started misfiring and shaking when driving. We took it in to the Infiniti dealership and was informed it is a bad timing chain. Upon research, we realized there was a recall for this issue on 2013 Infiniti QX56 models just like ours. However, our VIN did not show on the recall list. Our car has been meticulously maintained. Our research revealed that timing chains in well maintained cars should last up to 300,000 miles. Our car has 105,000 miles. We feel this repair should be covered by Infiniti. We did not pay for a luxury car to have this type of issue. The car is undrivable due to safety concerns and we would like this addressed immediately.

NHTSA complaint 11484222. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Infiniti QX56

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2012 57 3 —
2011 78 2 —
2010 25 2 —

Other 2013 Infiniti models

JX35 280 G37 63 JX 16

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Infiniti on this site — 52 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst