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Infiniti QX56 check engine light comes on

50 of the 541 owner complaints about the Infiniti QX56 describe check engine light, most of them for the 2011 model year.

owner complaints
50
worst model year
2011
typical repair cost reported
$4,500
typical mileage
92,000
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below

By model year

Often reported together

Stalling 7Loss of power 4Fuel pump 3ABS 3Fuel gauge 2

Trouble codes mentioned

P0420 3P0430 2P0300 1P0021 1P0011 1

What owners say

Filed Oct 21, 2026 · Electrical · 249,000 miles · DE

The contact owns a 2006 Infiniti QX56. The contact stated that while 5 MPH and making a turn at an intersection on three separate occasions, the vehicle unexpectedly shut off and restarted independently after several seconds. Additionally, the check engine warning light and a sensor warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that an Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) distance sensor malfunction might have caused the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 249,000.

Filed Jul 20, 2026 · Engine · NC

Need to know if there are recalls on the Q56 Infinite for the Catalytic Converter Failure. This truck had 2 and this is the second one that seems to be faulty and the truck only had 162000 miles The 1st one faulted at 151000 2024 The Infinite 2011 Q56 has been known for faulty Catalytic Converter Failure and nothing was done to recall and fix. The truck had 2 Catalytic Converters, the 1st one went out in 2024 @ 152000 miles, now it looks like my engine light is back on with error code P0420 Converter malfunction. I searched internet and it was noted that 2011 have had enormous reports about this issue. This doesn’t make since there is no recall when it is noted that the 2011 Q56 had history of faulty Catalytic Converter Failure. This cost to replace and repair is enormous and this type of part replacement repair should not be happening at 152000-162000 miles. This needs to be investigated and recall issued immediately.

Filed Mar 4, 2026 · Engine · 175,000 miles · SC

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. An oil change was performed; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the high-pressure fuel pump was leaking, causing the timing chain to fail. The check engine warning light illuminated, and the failure progressed, causing the vehicle to stall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle failed on the side of the road and was towed to the residence. The contact used an OBD scanner and retrieved DTC: P0021, P0011, and P0300. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure, and Customer Service Program Number: P6305. The VIN was provided, and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not covered under the campaign and that the campaign had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 175,000.

Filed Jun 14, 2023 · Transmission · 131,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2013 Infiniti QX56. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she heard an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment while accelerating. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the timing chain. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Infiniti Service Campaign: ITB16-015a (Power Train). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 131,000.

Filed Mar 27, 2023 · Engine · OR

Started car in the morning and it started misfiring very badly. Flashing check engine light. Immediately pulled over and shut engine off. Had it towed to my shop I use they hooked it up to computer and it was diagnosed as a loose timing chain. Basically timing chain replacement This is rediculous only has 129k miles. They claim timing chain and components are good til 300k with regular maintenance. This suv since new has had synthetic mobile 1 oil changed every 3500 miles. There was a voluntary recall on this issue. Why was it ever taken down Now I’m paying the car payment on a car I cannot drive. Till I spend $5000 to have all that replaced

Filed Nov 4, 2022 · TX

I have an engine light on as a result of 2 bad catalytic converters that need to be replaced. The vehicle has been inspected the infinite dealer maintenance dept. This poses a safety risk of this vehicle shutting down in the midst of driving

Filed May 27, 2022 · Engine · 87,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2012 Infiniti QX56. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle started shaking violently. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the timing chain to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and continued to experience the failure. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.

Filed Feb 22, 2022 · Fuel system · 148,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2011 Infiniti QX56. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle began to shake and inadvertently stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing the high-pressure fuel tank replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000.

Filed Jan 18, 2022 · Engine · 140,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2011 Infiniti QX56. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would vibrate violently. Additionally, the vehicle had experienced intermittent power loss and had gone into limp mode. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where it was diagnosed with needing the timing chain replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

Filed Nov 3, 2021 · Engine · 105,000 miles · IN

The contact owns a 2013 Infiniti QX56. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle made abnormal rattling sounds. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that the failure was occurring while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the timing chain guide and the timing chain needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that they could not assist because the VIN was not included in a recall related to the failure. The contact referenced service bulletin #P6305. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000.

Related recalls

Engine and engine coolingReported October 28, 2010 · 747,480 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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) assembly contains an engine control module (ECM) relay that has a diode for electrical current noise reduction. The ECM relay may allow silicon vapor to form and, over time, the silicon evaporates from the diode molding which causes silicon oxide to develop on the ECM relay contact due to arcing.
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.

Recall number 10V517000 · Recall details

Questions about the Infiniti QX56 check engine light

Why does the check engine light come on in the Infiniti QX56?

Owners who report it most often also describe engine stalls while driving, sudden loss of power and misfire or rough idle, and the codes they mention most are P0420, P0430 and P0300.

Which Infiniti QX56 years have check engine light problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2011 (19 complaints), 2012 (12 complaints) and 2005 (7 complaints).

How much does it cost to fix check engine light on the Infiniti QX56?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $4,500 (median of 6 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

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