The 2012 Infiniti Qx56 carries 3 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering inflator module and fuel system, gasoline. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Catalytic converter failure and replacement.” Infiniti manuals split service into Schedule 1 (severe — short trips, city traffic, extreme temperatures) and Schedule 2 (easy highway use). Most US drivers honestly belong on Schedule 1: oil every 5,000 miles. The VQ V6s that power most of the lineup are chain-driven and durable when the oil stays fresh. The two things owners skip at their peril: CVT fluid on QX50/QX60 (extended intervals are how these transmissions die) and oil discipline on the twin-turbo VR30 in Q50/Q60 Red Sport.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Campaign #20V188000 · Mar 30, 2020
Issue: 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.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or Infiniti customer service at 1-800-662-6200.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Campaign #14V683000 · Nov 28, 2014
Issue: 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.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source could cause a vehicle fire.
Fix: 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.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Campaign #26V455000 · Jul 15, 2026
Issue: 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."
Risk: An overloaded vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated Fall 2026. 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.
What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2012 Infiniti Qx56.
ENGINE
11 NHTSA complaints · 2017-10 → 2022-11
“AT 82,000 MILES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON INDICATING BOTH CATALYTIC CONVERTERS WERE BAD”
“I HAD MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED BACK IN DECEMBER 2016 . THERE WAS A RECALL FOR CATALYTIC CONVERTER SO I HAD IT REPLACED”
“I OWN A 2012 QX 53. AT 70,000 MILES I HAD TO REPLACE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS, COST OVER $4000”
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
3 NHTSA complaints · 2016-11 → 2020-05
“ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION AFTER DRIVING TO A STORE OR APPT. AND PARK . GO OUT TO A COMPLETELY DEAD VEHICLE. JUMP START TO GET GOING MAY GO FOR A MONTH OR SO AND IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN WITH NO WARNING”
“WE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BATTERY SINCE WE BOUGHT THE QX56”
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 INFINITI QX56. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY FAILED PREMATURELY”
ENGINE
19 NHTSA complaints · 2015-12 → 2026-03
“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”
“The contact owns a 2012 Infiniti QX56. The contact stated that while driving at high speeds, the vehicle shook and then lost motive power”
“INFINITI QX56 HAS A UBIQUITOUS ISSUE WITH TIMING CHAIN FAILURES GOING OUT BETWEEN 60K-80K MILES”
AIR BAGS
5 NHTSA complaints · 2013-08 → 2021-03
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 INFINITY QX56. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG COVER WAS CRACKING”
“MY AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS THE PROBLEM”
“AIR BAGS DO NOT ENGAGE WHEN MY WIFE SITS IN FRONT SEAT. SHE WEIGHS 100 POUNDS BUT I WOULD THINK AIR BAG SYSTEM SHOULD WORK FOR AN ADULT OF THIS SIZE”
SUSPENSION
2 NHTSA complaints · 2023-04 → 2026-06
“While driving my vehicle with my family, I experienced a sudden and dangerous loss of control. I was able to safely maneuver the vehicle off the roadway without injury”
“While driving at highway speed, rear of vehicle suddenly became uncontrolled and caused vehicle to swerve dangerously. If a vehicle would have been in the adjacent lane an accident would have occurred”
SERVICE BRAKES
2 NHTSA complaints · 2015-06 → 2015-09
“WHEN I'M STOPPED AT A LIGHT THE VEHICLE WILL START TO ROLL FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY AND EXTRA PRESSURE NEEDS TO BE APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING, AT THIS POINT THE BRAKE PEDAL IS ALMOST AT THE FLOOR AND PUMPING THE PEDAL A FEW TIMES”
“WHEN WAITING AT A STOPLIGHT FOR A LONG PERIOD THE BRAKE PEDAL GRADUALLY EASES DOWN AND THE VEHICLE BEGINS TO ROLL FORWARD TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM GOING FORWARD EXTRA PRESSURE NEEDS TO BE APPLIED TO THE PEDAL TO KEEP THE VEHICLE STOPPED”
Issues on other model years
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 13, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.
We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.
Critical for safety and preventing major damage
Every 5,000 miles under Schedule 1 (most US driving); 7,500 on the easy-use Schedule 2. VQ engines tolerate a lot but reward fresh oil with quiet chains and clean variable-timing operation. VR30 twin-turbo: treat 5,000 as the ceiling.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$120–$160
Shop
~$85–$115
DIY
~$25–$55
Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.
Rotate with every oil change. Staggered-fitment sport models (G37S, Q60) can't rotate front-to-rear — budget rear tires accordingly.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.
CVT-equipped models: replace fluid around 60,000 miles — sooner with towing or hot-climate city driving. Use only Nissan NS-spec CVT fluid. This is the single most skipped, most expensive-to-skip item on modern Infiniti SUVs.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$360–$500
Shop
~$255–$355
DIY
~$80–$180
CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.
Inspect pads, rotors, and lines at every service. Akebono-caliper sport packages wear pads unevenly if the slide hardware isn't serviced — have it cleaned and lubricated with pad changes.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.
Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently
Replace around 30,000 miles. Twin-intake VQ and VR engines use two filters — replace both, not just the easy one.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.
Replace roughly every 30,000 miles or 2 years — Infiniti pairs it with major services. Sport models driven hard should err toward the 2-year mark.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$180–$200
Shop
~$125–$140
DIY
~$10–$25
DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.
Conventional automatics (G35/G37/Q50 RWD 7-speed, QX80 9-speed): fluid service around 60,000 miles under severe use keeps shifts clean. Matic-S/Matic-D spec fluid only.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$330–$500
Shop
~$235–$355
DIY
~$60–$180
Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.
Iridium plugs rated to 105,000 miles. On transverse VQ models (older QX60, JX35) the rear bank hides under the intake plenum — pay the labor once, at the full interval.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$390
Shop
~$200–$275
DIY
~$25–$100
Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.
Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort
Replace about every 15,000 miles; behind the glovebox on most models.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.
First replacement at 75,000 miles / 5 years (Nissan blue long-life), then about every 4 years after. Genuine or NS-spec coolant only — mixing types gels.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$330
Shop
~$200–$235
DIY
~$25–$60
Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.
Inspect from 60,000 miles; replace on cracking, glazing, or tensioner noise. VQ accessory belts announce their age with a cold-start chirp.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$195–$235
Shop
~$135–$165
DIY
~$20–$50
DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.
Test annually after year 3. Intelligent-Key and always-on telematics draw at rest — weak batteries show up first as slow push-button starts.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$225–$390
Shop
~$160–$280
DIY
~$130–$250
Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.
Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)
11 crashes 2010–2024
FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number
Owner-reported problem signals
Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.
1
complaints mentioning a crash
0
complaints mentioning a fire
Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle
Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.
How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.
This maintenance schedule for the 2012 Infiniti Qx56 reflects INFINITI's published service intervals and the Schedule 1 / Schedule 2 Maintenance system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.