Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 80 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Infiniti QX56, and it carries 4 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 18 | 23% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 10 | 13% |
| Service brakes | 9 | 11% |
| Fuel system | 8 | 10% |
| Air bags | 3 | 4% |
| Fuel system | 2 | 3% |
| Unknown or other | 2 | 3% |
| Suspension | 2 | 3% |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 3% |
| Power train | 2 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I started to break saw a major traffic jam . And my steering started shaking and my breaks did not Stop like they're supposed to.almost was i huge crash w I th my [XXX] and [XXX] old INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO
NHTSA complaint: Steering
The contact owns a 2005 Infiniti QX56. The contact stated that while driving approximately 75 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was later towed to the residence where it was discovered that no f
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
THE VEHICLE WILL LOSE POWER TO THE BRAKES WHILE DRIVING INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN PROBLEM OCCURS YOU WILL LOSE POWER STEERING AND PRESSURE TO BRAKING SYSTEM. ALSO THE DRIVER HID HEADLAMP GETS MOISTURE IN IT WHENEVER IT RAIN
NHTSA complaint: Steering
DRIVING 30 MPH IN MANHATTAN NEW YORK CAME TO A RED LIGHT PRESSED BRAKE PEDAL FELT NO BRAKES PUMPED BRAKES FELT LIKE THERE WAS LITTLE TO NO BRAKING ABS LIGHT CAME ON SO DID BRAKE LIGHT RAN THROUGH THE RED THANK GOD NO CAR
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
WHILE DRIVING IN RESIDENTIAL/BUSINESS AREA MY VEHICLE COMPLETELY LOST POWER AND TURNED OFF. I DRIFTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT POWER STEERING. TRIED TO START VEHICLE AGAIN. VEHICLE WOULD START BUT WOULD IMMEDIATE
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, SEEMINGLY AFTER SLOW DRIVING WHERE THERE ARE MANY STOP SIGNS NOT TOO FAR APART, THE BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON, THE BRAKE PEDAL WEAKENS AND BRAKE SYSTEM MAKES A RATTLING NOISE WHEN THE PEDAL IS PRESSED.
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
WHEN DRIVING, THE BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON FOR NO REASON AND CAUSES THE BRAKES TO WORK INAPPROPRIATELY. IT BECOMES VERY HARD TO BRAKE. THE BRAKES SEEM TO FALL THROUGH AND THERE IS A GRINDING SOUND FROM THE BRAKES. IF I TURN
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT ON INTERSTATE I-95 DURING RUSH HOUR AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES/HOUR, I PRESSED ON THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL DROPPED DOWN AND STARTED MAKING A WEIRD NOISE (LIKE GRINDING SOUND) AND THE CAR WOULDN'T ST
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2005 Infiniti QX56. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT AND REAR LOWER LINKS, P/NOS. 54501ZQ00A, 54500ZQ00A, 551A1ZQ00A, 551A0ZQ00A , 54501EA00A, 54500EA00A, 551A1EA500, 551A0EA500, 54501ZR00A, AND 54500ZR00A, SOLD BETWEEN NOVEMBER 25, 2009 AND MAY 14, 2010 AS REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2010 TITAN, ARM
Risk: IF THE COLLAR WELD SEPARATES, THE VEHICLE HANDLING WILL DETERIORATE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY AFFECTED LOWER LINK FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
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.
Risk: THIS COULD CAUSE CORROSION IN THE MOTOR LEADING POSSIBLY TO OVERHEATING AND A FIRE.
Fix: 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 1-800-6
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 REDU
Risk: THIS COULD CAUSE ENGINE STALLING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: 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.
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.
Risk: THIS COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF GAS AND STALL ON THE HIGHWAY, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH.
Fix: 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. OWNERS MAY
| Reliability raw | 78 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 75 | good |
| Maintenance | 60 | average |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 73 | good |
| Efficiency | 27 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 80 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 18 of them (23%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 78/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 75/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2005 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 66/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.