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2004 Infiniti Qx56

The Verdict

72 Solid Pick

The 2004 Infiniti Qx56 has 106 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are brakes (63 complaints) and electrical (17 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 72/100, it earns a "Solid Pick" rating. If you're shopping for a Infiniti Qx56, consider the 2009 model year which has 93% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2009 has 93% fewer complaints

View the 2009 Infiniti Qx56 dashboard →

72

Klunk Score: Solid Pick

Fewer complaints than most vehicles. Generally dependable, but check the top problems below.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Recalls 2

Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.

10V517000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 ARMADA, TITAN, INFINITI QX56 AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 FRONTIER, PATHFINDER AND XTERRA VEHICLES. THE INTELLIGENT POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULE (IPDM) AS...

Risk

THIS COULD CAUSE ENGINE STALLING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ECM RELAY INSIDE THE IPDM ASSEMBLY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 6, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Reported Apr 10, 2026

10E019000 SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT AND REAR LOWER LINKS, P/NOS. 54501ZQ00A, 54500ZQ00A, 551A1ZQ00A, 551A0ZQ00A , 54501EA00A, 54500EA00A, 551A1EA500, 551A0EA500, 54501ZR00A, AND 54500ZR00A, SOLD BETW...

Risk

IF THE COLLAR WELD SEPARATES, THE VEHICLE HANDLING WILL DETERIORATE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

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.

Reported Apr 10, 2026

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
200476317163
20058336293
20061556125
200769510
200810199122
200921220
2010142900
20111804540
201210410323
2013731192

By Category

Brakes
63
Electrical
17
Engine
16
Body
7
Transmission
3

By Severity

1
51
2
49
4
6

Worst Problems

Complaints

Brakes 2

My wife was driving home from work, said brake is failing, makes loud grindy, rattling noise when brake is applied. Once the car is turn off and back on, everything is back to normal. When I got home, i took the wheels off to check everything was ok, pads were almost new, which I replaced last year. Drove around for 10 miles no problem. This is a serious safety issue which Nissan/Infiniti should take care of.

24mo ago
Engine 2

The contact owns a 2004 Infiniti QX56. The contact stated that the vehicle would fail to start up after multiple attempts with several unknown warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. In addition, he stated that the vehicle would intermittently stall while driving at various speeds with several unknown warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer where they informed him that his vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V517000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact was referred to NHTSA for assistance. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.

53mo ago
Brakes 1

I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY DRIVING MY FAMILY FROM TEXAS TO NORTH CAROLINA WHEN I RAN INTO RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC LONG THE WAY. I APPLIED THE BRAKE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN, THEN SUDDENLY THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED SHAKING, THERE WAS A LOUND GRIDDING NOISE AS IF THE ENGINE ABOUT TO FALLOUT AND MY BRAKE DIDNOT HOLD IMMEDIATELY WHEN APPLIED.

63mo ago
Body 2

THE EMC RELAY IS BAD. I HAVE A LETTER SAYING IT WAS A RECALL.. AS I WAS DRIVING THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF. IF YOU WAITED A LITTLE WHILE IT WOULD START UP AGAIN BUT IT SEEMED THAT WHEN IT GOT HOT IT WOULD SHUT DOWN AGAIN. IT COST ME 102.00 FOR TOW TRUCK AND THE DEALERSHIP IS CHARGING ME 160.00 AN HOUR TO CHECK WHAT IT IS. THEY SAY THERE IS NO RECALL BUT I HAVE LETTER IN FRONT OF ME.

68mo ago
Body 2

TAKATA RECALL PAINT IS FADING IN DIFFERENT PLACES CLEAR COAT HAS FADED AWAY THIS HAS HAPPENED OVER THE PASS COUPLE OF YEARS

84mo ago
Brakes 1

THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE WARNING LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. ROTORS ARE FINE. BRAKE FLUID LEVEL IS HIGH. YET, WHEN I APPLY MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND THERE IS ALSO A BAD SOUND ON THE FRONT WHEELS THAT SOUNDS LIKE METAL TO METAL (THERE IS A VIBRATION). ONCE I PULL OVER AND TURN THE VEHICLE OFF FOR A MINUTE OR SO, I AM ABLE TO CONTINUE. HOWEVER, THE WARNING LIGHT COMES BACK ON MOMENTS LATER. THIS IS GETTING VERY DANGEROUS AS IT MAY TRIGGER ME TO REAR END THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR THE PAST EIGHT MONTHS. HOWEVER, IT HAS BEEN GETTING WORST. THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT ALSO COMES AND STAYS ON. PLEASE HELP.

84mo ago
Electrical 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 INFINITI QX56. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. IN ADDITION, THE FUEL GAUGE AND OTHER GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DISPLAYED INACCURATE INFORMATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (INFINITI OF ELK GROVE, 8586 LAGUNA GROVE DR, ELK GROVE, CA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE PART WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,000.

95mo ago
Brakes 1

ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHILE THE CAR WAS MOVING IN A DRY PARKING LOT AND APPLYING MY BRAKES, MY ABS BRAKES KICKED ON FOR NO REASON AND THE CAR WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND STOP. THE LIGHT CAME ON AS WELL AND I HEARD ALOT OF GRINDING. THIS WAS VERY SCARY AS BOTH TIMES I HAD MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR. THE ONLY WAY TO RESET ABS WAS TO TURN OFF VEHICLE. I AM SO AFRAID THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN AND I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO STOP. I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE AND AM THINKING ABOUT SELLING IT BECAUSE I FEEL IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE.

98mo ago
Brakes 1

I GET A BRAKE LIGHT AND A SLIP LIGHT SOMETIMES WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. MAKES AN AWFUL NOISE AND SOMETIMES THE BRAKES FAIL TO OPERATE. I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT TO RESET SOMETHING AND THEN ITS FINE FOR A FEW DAYS AND COMES BACK. IT IS VERY SCARY. OTHERS WHO HAVE THE SAME VEHICLE HAVE COMPLAINED OF THE SAME THING. SAYING THEY THINK THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER IS DEFECTIVE. I HAVE ALSO HEARD OF PEOPLE CRASHING THEIR SUV BECAUSE OF THIS. THIS HAPPENS JUST WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. I SEE THIS A LOT IN THE FORUMS AND WONDER WHY THEY HAVEN'T RECALLED THIS DANGEROUS DEFECT. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING NUMEROUS TIMES IN THE PAST 5 YEARS.

106mo ago
Transmission 2

RADIATOR CRACKED. INTERIM WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. $5,000 TRANSMISSION REBUILD.

108mo ago
Brakes 2

WHILE DRIVING AT LOW/HIGH SPEEDS, THE BRAKE LIGHT WILL JUST TURN ON UNEXPECTEDLY. ALSO, THE ABS BRAKES SEEM TO FAIL WHERE YOU HAVE TO PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. THE ONLY WAY TO TEMPORARILY FIX THIS IS TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON FOR THE BRAKE LIGHT TO GO AWAY. AGAIN, THIS WILL OCCUR AT LEAST 1-2 TIMES A DAY AND/OR 28 TIMES IN A MONTH WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION TO PUT A DRIVER IN ON THE HIGHWAY OR OTHER ROADWAYS.

108mo ago
Brakes 2

WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION THE RED BRAKE LIGHT WILL TURN ON AND WHEN YOU PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL THE CAR SLOWS DOWN BUT MAKES A LOUD THUMPING NOISE, AND YOU CAN FEEL LIKE A SPRING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL VIBRATING, IF YOU TURN OFF THE VEHICLE, IT RESETS FOR A WHILE BUT NOW IT IS HAPPENING CONSTANTLY. THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS ARE NEW.

108mo ago
Brakes 2

AS I WAS TRAVELING ON A CITY STREET, THE BRAKES ON MY 2004 INFINITI QX56 STARTED MAKING A GRINDING NOISE AND THE BRAKE LIGHT ON DASH BOARD WENT ON MAKING IT HARD TO COME TO A STOP. I DON'T KNOW WHATS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. I KNOW THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE FOR THE SAME REASON (BRAKES) BUT I DON'T HAVE THE NUMBER

112mo ago
Brakes 1

THE FIRST TIME I HAD ISSUES WITH MY BRAKES I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE PARKED. I TURNED THE VEHICLE ON AND TRIED TO RELEASES THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BUT THE LIGHT WOULDN'T DISENGAGE. I PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND THE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE BUT THE BRAKES DIDN'T WORK. THEN THE VEHICLE MADE A SEVERE GRINDING NOISE. I THEN TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY. I THEN CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND ASKED IF THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THEY SAID "NO". THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED TO ME I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD. I NOTICE THE BRAKE LIGHT TURNED ON, SO I SLOW APPLIED PRESSED TO THE BRAKE PEDDLE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD STOP AND BEGAN TO SHAKE FURIOUSLY AS IF IT WAS SKIDDING ON THE ROAD. FORTUNATELY, THEIR WASN'T ANYONE ON THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE FINALLY CAME TO A STOP AND I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. I TRIED PRESSING THE PARKING BRAKES TO RELEASE THE LIGHT BUT THAT DIDN'T WORK SO I TRIED SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF. I TURNED THE VEHICLE BACK ON AND THE LIGHT WAS GONE. I SLOWLY BEGAN TO DRIVE AND TEST THE BRAKES AND THEY WORK AGAIN. I HAVE GONE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME AGAIN THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE ISSUE AT HAND. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID IT COULD BE THE BRAKE BOOSTER BUT THEY COULDN'T FIND AN ISSUE WITH IT SO THEY DIDN'T REPLACE IT.

118mo ago
Brakes 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 INFINITI QX56. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES PULSATED AND MADE AN ABNORMAL GRINDING NOISE. THE CHECK ENGINE AND ABS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKES FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,000.

118mo ago
Electrical 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 INFINITI QX56. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IPDM BOX FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS A MANUFACTURERS RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000.

121mo ago
Brakes 2

WHILE DRIVING THE EMERGERCNY BRAKE DASH LIGHT WILL BECOME LIT AND ALL BRAKING ACTIONS HAVE DRASTICALLY REDUCED POWER. A AN AUDIBLE GRINDING NOISE IS OBSERVED FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE BRAKE PEDDLE HAS LITTLE TO NO RESISTANCE. A RESTART OF THE VEHICLE TEMPORARILY RESOLVE THE ISSUE, BUT THE ISSUE HAS REOCCURED NUMEROUS TIMES AND IS INCREASING IN FREQUENCY.

121mo ago
Brakes 1

PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT AND DASH LIGHT IS ON ALL THE TIME.

121mo ago
Engine 1

EMERGENCY BRAKE: E-BRAKE APPEARS TO ENGAGE ON ITS OWN AND THE BRAKE LIGHT INDICATOR COMES ON. THERE'S ALSO A GRINDING SOUND WHEN BRAKE IS PRESSED. GRINDING SOUNDS ONLY OCCURS WHEN THIS ISSUE COMES UP. EXHAUST MANIFOLDS: WAS NOTIFIED BY THE DEALER UPON A SERVICE INSPECTION THAT THERE WAS A SMALL CRACK IN THE EXHAUST MANIFOLDS. IS THIS A NORMAL THING? AND SHOULD THIS BE A RECALL ITEM AS IT COULD THROW OFF ANY SMOG CHECK TESTING. IN ADDITION HOW ABOUT THE EXHAUST IN THE CABIN ISSUE? MAYBE THEY USED TOO THIN OF A METAL FOR THE MANIFOLDS.

122mo ago
Body 2

ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY BECAME COMPLETELY LOOSE, MOVING UP AND DOWN (WHILE UNDERWAY, STOPPED, OR WHEN VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF). THE ENTIRE COLUMN FROM ALL THE WAY INTO THE DASH, THRU THE COLUMN TO THE STEERING WHEEL MOVES (UNCONTROLLABLY) UP AND DOWN CAUSING SERIOUSLY UNSAFE STEERING AND LOOSE OF CONTROL AND RISK OF A CRASH. BEARING AND SURROUNDING COMPONENTS WITHIN STEERING COLUMN LOOSE/SHEERING AND COMING APART. CONTACT ME FOR INFINITI/NISSAN CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AT INFINITICLASSACTIONLAWSUIT AT GMAIL.

122mo ago

106 total

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