2011 Infiniti M56
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2011 Infiniti M56 has 21 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 21. The most common issue is transmission problems (29% of all complaints), specifically: we have been trying to resolve this problem through infiniti service center since we bought the car 10 months ago with only 28k miles. the vehicle has severe hesitation when attempting to accelerate immediately after slowing or stopping. on several occasions when stepping on the gas to make a left. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year.
21
Total Complaints
2
Recalls Issued
4/5
Safety Stars
1.0x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
TRANSMISSION
6 complaints- • WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM THROUGH INFINITI SERVICE CENTER SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR 10 MONTHS AGO WITH ONLY 28K MILES. THE VEHICLE HAS SEVERE HESITATION WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE IMMEDIATELY AFTER SLOWING OR STOPPING. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN STEPPING ON THE GAS TO MAKE A LEFT
- • DRIVING THIS CAR IS VERY FUN AND I HAVE ENJOYED THE CAR VERY MUCH BUT JUST LAST WEEK I NOTICED A SMELL LIKE BURNING RUBBER OR OIL, COME TO FIND OUT THE NEXT DAY I WAS DRIPPING OIL ONLY NOT A STEADY DRIP BUT A DRIP ONLY FROM DRIVING, ONCE I STOP AND THE CAR COOLS THE DRIP STOPS. I HAVE RESEARCH AND
- • I STARTED THE CAR UP AND STARTED TO DRIVE TO WORK ABOUT 3 MILES INTO DRIVING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON FOLLOWED BY REVS WITH NO POWER OR SPEED GAIN AND THE VEHICLE WAS GIVING ME AROUND 15MPH TO THE POINT WHERE I COULDN'T GAIN MUCH MORE SPEED AND HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. THERE WAS A VOLUNTARY S
“WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM THROUGH INFINITI SERVICE CENTER SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR 10 MONTHS AGO WITH ONLY 28K MILES. THE VEHICLE HAS SEVERE HESITATION WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE IMMEDIATELY AFTER SLOWING OR STOPPING. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN STEPPING ON THE GAS TO MAKE A LEFT”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2011 Infiniti M56
Based on 16 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 75K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.
Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.
Recalls (2)
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Infiniti M56, 2012-2013 M35 Hybrid, and 2014 Q70 and Q70 Hybrid vehicles. These models, equipped with 2WD and with a hybrid or VK56 powertrain, have a driveshaft that may break.
Risk: A broken driveshaft can cause a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash, or may disable the parking brake, increasing the risk of a rollaway and injury.
Fix: Infiniti will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began February 5, 2021. Owners may contact Infiniti customer service at 1-800-662-6200.
Fuel Cost Calculator for 2011 Infiniti M56
Live EIA pricesBased on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.
5-Year Gas Price History
EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → todaySource: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2011 Infiniti M56
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Infiniti New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
These are the terms for a new Infiniti. If you're buying a used 2011 M56, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Infiniti dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 21 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐TRANSMISSION: WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM THROUGH INFINITI SERVICE CENTER SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR 10 MONTHS AGO WITH ONLY 28K MILES. THE VEHICLE HAS SEVERE HESITATION WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE IMMEDIATELY AFTER SLOWING OR STOPPING. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN STEPPING ON THE GAS TO MAKE A LEFT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: MY SOLENOID SWITCH WENT BAD ON ME AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, TOOK IT TO THE INFINITI DEALERSHIP AND THEY CORRECTED THE PROBLEM SO I THOUGHT UNTIL OCT 13 WHEN I KEPT HEARING THIS NOISE COMING FROM MY HOOK LIKE A SQUEALING NOISE.. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND FOUND OUT IT WAS THE TIMING CHAIN, W
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 INFINITI M56X. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, SHORTLY AFTER THE BATTERY DIED, THE LIGHTS FAILED AND THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY LOCKED, LEAVING THE CONTACT TRAPPED IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐AIR BAGS: ISSUE: PASSENGER SEAT BELT LIGHT CONTINUES TO REMAIN ON AFTER THE PASSENGER IS NO LONGER SITTING ON THE SEAT. ROOT CAUSE FROM DEALER: DEFECTIVE PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR. ONLY WAY TO TURN OFF THE SEAT BELT LIGHT IS TO EITHER PUT THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT ON OR TURN ON AND OFF THE CAR. I NOTI
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Infiniti dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Infiniti M56 — Year Comparison
How does 2011 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
Full years-to-avoid analysis →NHTSA Safety Rating
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 21
- Recalls
- 2
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 0
- Injury reports
- 0
- Segment avg
- 21
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2011 Infiniti M56