2006 Infiniti QX56 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about the brakes: a brake warning light comes on followed by weak or no braking, a grinding or spring-like noise, and a pedal that travels to the floor. Many say the condition clears after the engine is shut off and restarted, which makes it hard to reproduce at a dealership. Smaller groups of complaints describe stalling, transmission failure, and water in the headlights, usually at higher mileage.

1. 1
   Brakes

   Intermittent brake loss with grinding noise and warning

   • 49 complaints (61%)
   • median 93,150 mi at 8.1 yrs old (46 state mileage)
   • filed 2010–2022

   Complaints describe the brake warning light coming on while driving, often with the VDC or slip light, followed by a grinding or spring-popping noise and a pedal that goes to the floor or feels soft. Owners frequently say the brakes return to normal after the engine is switched off and restarted, so several report that dealers could not reproduce the problem. Some say the dealer replaced the brake booster and delta sensor, in some cases at owner expense, and a few report the symptom returned later even after replacement. Reported across a wide mileage range, roughly 25,000 to 180,000 miles, and often described as happening after idling, in stop-and-go traffic, or during longer drives.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask the seller whether the brake booster and delta sensor have been replaced and whether any related software updates were applied, and request service records. During a test drive, brake firmly from moderate speed and note any warning light, grinding sound, or pedal that sinks toward the floor.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “In the past six months I have had two brake failures. The most recent was 01/23/2011. While in motion at a speed of approximately 25 MPH I applied the brakes but rather than working, the pedal went to the floor with no resistance whatsoever. I lost all braking control and coasted right through a stop sign nearly being broadsided by a semi truck. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10380649, filed 2011-02, 96,500 miles

   “I was driving at approximately 60 MPH on a freeway when traffic ahead came to a sudden stop. I pressed the brake pedal and it traveled to the floor and I did not feel the car slow at all. The brake dash indicator light came on, and I continued pumping the brake pedal to try and slow the car. While I continued pressing the brakes, the car started slowing down rapidly on its own as if it was pressing the brakes on its own and I could hear a loud grinding sound. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11306423, filed 2020-02, 90,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine

   Stalling, hesitation, and loss of power while driving

   • 7 complaints (9%)
   • median 167,000 mi at 10.9 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2010–2026

   Complaints describe the vehicle hesitating, jerking, losing power, or stalling without warning, including at highway speed, after which the driver is left without power steering assist. One owner reported the vehicle shutting off and restarting by itself at low speed, with a dealer pointing to an intelligent cruise control distance sensor. Another was told the vehicle was not covered by an engine-related recall campaign. Mostly reported between about 86,000 and 200,000 miles, with no consistent weather or driving pattern described.

   Recall 10V5170002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the engine control module relay recall work was completed and whether any stored fault codes were read recently. Listen for rough running or hesitation during a test drive and check that the engine restarts reliably.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Vehicle stalling and losing power and all warning lights on dashboard begin to flash. On several occasions vehicle completely stalled while I was driving on the freeway causing me to lose power steering control and almost causing an accident. Problem comes and goes without any pre-warning.”

   NHTSA complaint #10331806, filed 2010-05, 91,642 miles

   “The contact owns a 2006 QX56 Infiniti. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle begin to independently decelerate before completely stalling. The vehicle was towed to the contacts residence. The dealer was contacted but offered no assistance in repairing the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 86,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #10364402, filed 2010-11, 86,000 miles
3. 3
   Exterior lighting

   Headlights collect moisture and can stop working

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe water or condensation building up inside both headlamp assemblies and, in some cases, the lights flickering or going out while driving at night. One owner reported repeat dealer repairs for the same moisture problem, and another was told by the manufacturer that the headlamp design was later changed. Replacement of the full assembly was described as costly. Reported from roughly 66,000 to 108,000 miles, with moisture noticed shortly after purchase in at least one case.

   What to check: Inspect both headlamp housings in daylight for condensation, water lines, or clouding, and check that low and high beams work. Ask whether either assembly has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I purchased this vehicle december of 2014 and within a month I noticed condensation in both headlights. When I was driving my vehicle home one night with my 4 children the lights flickered and went out. I had to pull over and I flicked the lights on and off hoping they would turn on and they came back on and worked. Now either headlights work and to replace the assembly is $1600 each so right now I do not drive my vehicle at night. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10782889, filed 2015-10, 108,000 miles

   “I'm first owner of 2006 infinite QX56 and 47,000 miles on jan/2014. Lots of QX56/armada model's 3rd back brake light (high mount stop light) was problems or not working because manufacturer designed brake light with window washer nozzle in one part. Can u understand electric part & water using part together. Also, it is very hard to replace by owner and dealer replacement cost is very expensive too bec of whole LED panel instead of regular bulb. Dealer service guy said lot of the same problems too (part no. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10559342, filed 2014-01, 25,000 miles
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission failure and driveline noise

   • 6 complaints (8%)
   • median 150,500 mi at 13.2 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2006–2020

   Owners describe hard shaking at startup with the transmission warning light on, deceleration and stalling, and in one case a broken universal joint that damaged the driveshaft. One complaint reports that a failed radiator allowed coolant into the transmission fluid, leaving the transmission inoperable; a shop in another case recommended transmission replacement. Reported from roughly 134,000 to 200,000 miles in the sampled complaints.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check transmission fluid condition and level and ask about any fluid or radiator service history. On a test drive, watch for delayed or harsh shifts, vibration at speed, and any warning light.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was in motion on a road when the universal joint broke off, without any warning, then caused the drive shaft to explode, upon pulling over, I discovered metal fragments in the road, and red transmission fluid running out of my vehicle. After a complete inspection my vehicle is totaled!”

   NHTSA complaint #11170744, filed 2019-01, 185,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2006 Infiniti QX56. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle started to vibrate and decelerated independently. The vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the radiator failed which caused coolant to mix with transmission fluid and caused the transmission to become inoperable. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11316095, filed 2020-03, 200,000 miles

Buying note. Have any 2006 QX56 inspected with attention to the brakes, including the booster and delta sensor and the status of open recall campaigns, and ask for service records covering those items. A test drive that includes firm stops, a highway-speed run, and a check of the headlamps and fuel gauge will surface most of what owners describe.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.