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2018 Infiniti Qx60 Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2018 Infiniti Qx60 carries 1 open NHTSA recall — most recently covering antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “CVT transmission jerks and shudders on accel.” 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.

1 Open Recall

Source: NHTSA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

Campaign #19V807000 · Aug 11, 2019

Issue: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Nissan Murano, 2016-2018 Nissan Maxima, and 2017-2019 Nissan Pathfinder and Infiniti QX60 vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and unrepaired, or inspected and determined to not need a repair, under recall number 18V-601. In addition, this recall expands the previous population. The Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) actuator pumps may allow brake fluid to leak onto an internal circuit board.

Risk: A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.

Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ABS actuator, free of charge. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available, currently expected to be during summer 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Note: If the ABS warning light remains illuminated for more than 10 seconds after engine start up, owners are advised to park the vehicle outdoors away from other vehicles or structures and to not drive the vehicle.

Recall data refreshed Sep 6, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2018 Infiniti Qx60.

Reported to NHTSA

CVT transmission jerks and shudders on accel

POWER TRAIN

6 NHTSA complaints · 2019-09 → 2026-04

“Malfunction of Power Train from 2018 Infiniti QX60. On July 19th, I visited Infiniti of Beachwood due to engine error light (error code P0776, CVT tranmission malfunction) of 2018 Infiniti QX60 (VIN: 5N1DL0MN0JC533475, mileage 79600). Infiniti dealer service at beachwood asked”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11537489
“Car is slipping and have had CV joints checked, fluids replaced. Was told it was the differential coupling. Looked it up and many, many others are having the same issue. This is a safety concern because the transmission is slipping on these cars when they get to 50,000+ miles”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11622556
“THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SHUTTERING IN THE 20-25 MPH RANGE ON 8/16/19. I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE THE NEXT DAY AND THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL VALVE ON 8/23. THE SHUTTERING RETURNED ON 9/1 AND NOW OCCURS BETWEEN 20 TO 60 MPH. THIS ISSUE OCCURS DURING HIGHWAY OR STREET”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11252858

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Rear electric coupling failure disables AWD

POWER TRAIN

4 NHTSA complaints · 2021-01 → 2024-12

“The contact owns a 2018 Infiniti QX60. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH and making a left turn, the contact stated that the rear of the vehicle was vibrating and shuddering. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The vehicle was taken to the”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11486872
“The contact owns a 2018 Infiniti QX60. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH or at slower speeds, the All-Wheel Drive (AWD) failed to function as designed, causing the passenger’s side rear tire to spin. The contact stated that the vehicle was hesitating while attempting”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11484628
“II BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN 2019 WITH 16K ON IT THEY REPLACED THE TRANSFER CASE, WITH 73K ON IT I HAD TO REPLACE SAME TRANSFER CASE AGAIN, NOW WITH 93K ITS HAS LEAKED AGAIN. THIS IS A EXPENSIVE VENTURE AS 4 OTHER VEHICLE OWNERS ARE SUFFERING WITH THE SAME PROBLEM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11387171

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Vehicle accelerates or brakes without driver input

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

2 NHTSA complaints · 2025-01 → 2025-09

“While driving, the vehicle often brakes and accelerates without my control. I've reported this issue before. My brakes are fine, according to the vehicle status”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11689590
“The vehicle is accelerating and braking randomly without my control”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11638350

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake hydraulic recall repair delayed by parts

SERVICE BRAKES

3 NHTSA complaints · 2019-12 → 2020-01

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 INFINITY QX60. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF A MANUFACTURERS RECALL IN REGARDS TO THE BRAKES HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11300701
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 INFINITI QX60. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V807000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT MURFREESBORO VOLKSWAGEN (LOCATED AT 2203 NW BROAD ST”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11297919
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 INFINITI QX60. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V807000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED INFINITI OF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11288815

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Sunroof glass shatters while driving

STRUCTURE

2 NHTSA complaints · 2019-02 → 2022-04

“The contact owns a 2018 Infiniti QX60. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, he heard an abnormal sound. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to park at a nearby parking lot and noticed that the sunroof panel had shattered. The contact”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11462380
“DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH THE SUNROOF OPEN AND IT MADE A LOUD NOISE SOUNDING LIKE A GUN SHOT. THE LOUD GUN SHOT NOISE OCCURRED A SECOND TIME THEN THE GLASS IN THE ROOF JUST EXPLODED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11179766

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine fails to start, sludge or timing chain damage

ENGINE

7 NHTSA complaints · 2021-05 → 2026-04

“The contact owns a 2018 Infiniti QX60. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with major internal engine failure. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11730001
“Since my car had about 45000 miles on the odometer, it has been producing a thick white smoke, not only upon starting the car from a cold start, but also after longer distance trips over 30 miles. After having taken it to the dealership multiple times, their response has been”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11725791
“The contact owns a 2018 Infiniti QX60. The contact stated that upon attempting to start the vehicle, he heard an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle failed to start. After calling Roadside Assistance, all attempts to jumpstart the vehicle failed. The”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11532961

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 11, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 11, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 5,000 mi

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.

Tire Rotation

Every 5,000 mi

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 Fluid (QX50 / QX60)

Every 60,000 mi

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.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

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.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

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.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

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.

Automatic Transmission Fluid (7/9-speed)

Every 60,000 mi

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.

Spark Plugs

Every 105,000 mi

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.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

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.

Long-Life Coolant

Every 75,000 mi

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.

Drive Belt Inspection

Every 60,000 mi

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.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

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.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

7 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.

2

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 2018 Infiniti Qx60 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.

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