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 53 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 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 | 12 | 23% |
| Air bags | 4 | 8% |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 6% |
| Suspension | 3 | 6% |
| Service brakes | 3 | 6% |
| Fuel system | 2 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 4% |
| Unknown or other | 2 | 4% |
| Service brakes | 2 | 4% |
| Power train | 2 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Fuel gauge reads incorrect when it does come on. Dashboard lights stay off until the tank is on E. Unsafe to drive bc you cannot see your speed. When the dashboard randomly flicks on it will show that it is changing the
NHTSA complaint: Power train
There are times when driving under 50 mph brake light comes on and the brakes have goes out which cause me to do an emergency pullover turn off the truck for a few minutes and the brakes reset. This is very concerning fo
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
The contact owns a 2008 Infiniti QX56. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly stalled. Additionally, the contact became aware that the vehicle was experiencing inaccurate fuel gaug
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
There was previous recall on this vehicle, 10V-074 (Infiniti #R1011) for a fuel sender problem, causing the fuel gauge to be inaccurate. Infiniti says it was fixed in 2010. Unfortunately, I am having the exact same pr
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
I was involved in an auto rollover accident on January2, 2023 when a driver "t-boned" me in my 2008 Infiniti Qx56 striking the middle of the passenger side of my Qx56 after running a stop sign and failing to yield to my
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
Occasionally Brake light turns on in my dashboard then my braking system loses hydraulic pressure and I have troubling braking till I turn car off then resets and goes back to normal but while brake light us on is very
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 INFINITI QX56. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WAS INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE REFLECTED AN INCORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON SE
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
CONSTANT MOISTURE BUILD UP CAUSING HEADLIGHT BURNOUT A DANGEROUS SITUATION DIDN'T KNOW UNTIL POLICE PULLED ME OVER. FIVE TIMES THIS INCIDENT HAS HAPPENED. VERY EXPENSIVE FIX AND EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE REPLACEMENT. UNFAIR TO
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2008 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 CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 TITAN, ARMADA, AND INFINITI QX56, AND MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 NISSAN QUEST VEHICLES. THE BRAKE PEDAL PIVOT PIN END WAS NOT SPIN-FORMED TO SPECIFICATION DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS OF THE BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY. THE PIVOT PIN COULD SLIDE AND CAUSE TH
Risk: THE DRIVER WILL EXPERIENCE UNUSUAL AND NOTICEABLE LOOSENESS IN THE PEDAL AND A REDUCTION IN BRAKING FORCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT TO SEE IF THE PIVOT PIN HAD BEEN FORMED PROPERLY AND WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 22, 2010. OWNERS MAY CON
NISSAN IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2008 NISSAN ARMADA AND INFINITI QX56 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 7, 2007 THROUGH FEBRUARY 14, 2007. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION
Risk: INCORRECT INFLATION OF THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO A VEHICLE OCCUPANT IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH REQUIRING DEPLOYMENT OF THAT AIR BAG.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT FRONT PILLAR FINISHERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 16, 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 | 80 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 76 | good |
| Maintenance | 60 | average |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 79 | good |
| Efficiency | 25 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 53 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 12 of them (23%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 80/100 (excellent) 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 76/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2008 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 67/100. 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.