Is the 2011 Infiniti QX56 reliable?

The 2011 Infiniti QX56 has 94 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.3x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2011 Infiniti QX56?

Top problems: ENGINE (39 complaints, avg repair $500); FUEL SYSTEM (20 complaints, avg repair $500); SUSPENSION (9 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2011 Infiniti QX56?

Yes, there are 1 recall(s): AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Contact any Infiniti dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2011 Infiniti QX56?

The 2011 Infiniti QX56 gets 16 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $3000. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2011 Infiniti QX56?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2011 Infiniti QX56 is approximately $1,921/year (suv-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2011 Infiniti QX56

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2011 Infiniti QX56 has 94 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.3x the segment average of 72. The most common issue is engine problems (41% of all complaints), specifically: problems with the timing belt chain on newer model infiniti qx56. problem of car making whistling noise appeared early after purchase and intermittently thereafter but became prominent in july 2011. appears to be a recurring problem with this vehicle model. dealer had to replace the entire engine. There is 1 recall issued for this model year. ⚠️ 3 fire reports filed.

3 fire reports

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

39 complaints

41%

• PROBLEMS WITH THE TIMING BELT CHAIN ON NEWER MODEL INFINITI QX56. PROBLEM OF CAR MAKING WHISTLING NOISE APPEARED EARLY AFTER PURCHASE AND INTERMITTENTLY THEREAFTER BUT BECAME PROMINENT IN JULY 2011. APPEARS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE MODEL. DEALER HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ENGINE
• WITH 72000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, TWO THOUSAND OVER WARRANTY, THE TIMING CHAIN HAS TO BE REPLACED. INFINITI REFUSES TO OFFER ANY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WHEN IT IS AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THAT IS EVIDENCED BY THE FACT THAT REPLACEMENT PARTS HAVE BEEN COMPLETELY RE-ENGINEERED. A TIMING CHAIN FAI
• I NOTICED THE VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A LOUD WHISTLE NOISE EMANATING FROM THE ENGINE DURING COLD START-UPS. APPROXIMATELY 2 WEEKS LATER I TOOK IT FOR SERVICE AT THE ORLANDO INFINITI DEALERSHIP ON JANUARY 5, 2016. AS SOON AS I DESCRIBED THE ISSUE THE SERVICE ADVISOR AND MULTIPLE TECHNICIANS IMMEDIATE

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“PROBLEMS WITH THE TIMING BELT CHAIN ON NEWER MODEL INFINITI QX56. PROBLEM OF CAR MAKING WHISTLING NOISE APPEARED EARLY AFTER PURCHASE AND INTERMITTENTLY THEREAFTER BUT BECAME PROMINENT IN JULY 2011. APPEARS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE MODEL. DEALER HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ENGINE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2011 Infiniti QX56

Based on 78 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 90K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 100K mi · 31 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 90K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SUSPENSION

In line with typicalmedian 76K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

Later than typicalmedian 102K mi · 17 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

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 (1)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE30/03/2020

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 Cost Calculator for 2011 Infiniti QX56

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$3,001

Per month

$250

Per mile

25.0¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$3,429/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$2,401/yr

Based 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 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2011 Infiniti QX56

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,921

Full coverage / month

$160

Liability only / year

$732

vs US avg

+15%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-luxury)1.35x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.85x

= Full coverage estimate$1921

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Infiniti New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 60K mi

Powertrain

6 yr / 70K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

7 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

4 yr / unlimited mi

These are the terms for a new Infiniti. If you're buying a used 2011 QX56, 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

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

SUSPENSION(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 94 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: PROBLEMS WITH THE TIMING BELT CHAIN ON NEWER MODEL INFINITI QX56. PROBLEM OF CAR MAKING WHISTLING NOISE APPEARED EARLY AFTER PURCHASE AND INTERMITTENTLY THEREAFTER BUT BECAME PROMINENT IN JULY 2011. APPEARS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE MODEL. DEALER HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ENGINE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: FUEL LINE FAILURE: A FUEL LINE FITTING/CLAMP ON BACK SIDE OF ENGINE (DRIVERS SIDE) IS STREAMING FUEL AT A RATE OF APPROXIMATELY 1/2 CUP PER MINUTE. WHILE STARTING MY CAR THIS MORNING, I NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE, SO I CHECKED UNDERNEATH AND SAW GAS STEADILY STREAMING FROM THE CAR AND FORM
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SUSPENSION: OUR 2011 INFINITI QX56 CANNOT BE PROPERLY CONTROLLED AT SPEED WHEN ANY ROUGH PAVEMENT, POT HOLE, BRIDGE CONNECTION JOINTS, OR SIMILAR IS RAN OVER. THE VEHICLE SHAKES VIOLENTLY WITH LITTLE IF ANY CONTROL BY THE DRIVER. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE DRIFTS OUT OF THE LANE. NO ACCIDENTS HAVE EVER
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: THROUGH MY RESEARCH AND SPEAKING WITH INFINITI MECHANICS THERE HAS BEEN A KNOWN ISSUE WITH TIMING CHAINS AND ASSOCIATE PARTS THAT ARE A HAZARD AND A MAJOR EXPENSE TO 2011-2012 INFINITY QX56 OWNERS. THIS ISSUE WILL LEAVE YOU STRANDED SOMEWHERE!! IT HAPPENS TO MY WIFE AND I THREE TIMES!!! I HAD TO GET
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Infiniti dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)