2017 Infiniti QX60 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe sudden losses of power or stalling while driving, plus a cluster of charging and electrical faults that leave the vehicle unresponsive or unable to restart. Engine complaints commonly involve oil consumption or sludge claims, while transmission and braking concerns appear at higher mileages. Many complaints are filed with the vehicle still under 60,000 miles, and the reports span all seasons.

1. 1
   Engine

   Sudden loss of power or stalling while driving

   • 17 complaints (25%)
   • median 27,009 mi at 2.7 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2018–2026

   Complaints describe the engine or electrical system cutting out without warning, sometimes at highway speed, forcing the driver to coast to the shoulder. Several owners report warning lights flickering first, and some vehicles will not restart afterward or restart only intermittently. Dealers variously diagnosed a battery or terminal problem, an alternator, a faulty ABS sensor putting the car in a reduced-power mode, or found no fault at all. Reported from a few thousand to over 140,000 miles, with many under 60,000 miles; several describe it at highway speeds.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for the service history around battery, alternator and ground connections, and have a mechanic scan for stored body and CAN communication codes. A test drive should include a period of steady highway speed to see whether power cuts in and out.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Car was running well and did not have any issues then went to start and car would not start, headlights started flickering, warning lights came on and car wouldn't start. Was able to get it to start and drive home but power steering went out, could not accelerate on a hwy, lights continued to flicker. Was not switching gears. Once we got home turned the car off and have not been able to start it since. We had it towed to nissan dealership and they can't figure out what is wrong and it's been there for over three weeks. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11348934, filed 2020-08, 34,000 miles

   “While driving the car the engine suddenly stopped completely and we rolled the car to the side of the road. Had this happened on the highway a bit earlier it could have been a major accident as it was snowing heavily and there were snow plows and semis at high speeds. For the next 15 min the car would start and engine would stop on trying to accelerate. After raising the engine in reverse the car stayed on and we were able to come home. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11448562, filed 2022-01
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission shudder, slipping and failure (CVT)

   • 15 complaints (22%)
   • median 30,000 mi at 2.3 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2018–2026

   Owners describe shuddering, hesitation, surging on takeoff and reverse, and high-pitched noise while driving, sometimes both cold and at operating temperature. Some report the vehicle refusing to move or losing drive at speed, and several say the CVT was replaced or that a repair was declined. Dealers in some cases confirmed the transmission needed replacement; others could not reproduce the symptom. Mostly reported between about 20,000 and 60,000 miles, with a few complaints at higher mileage.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test drive from a cold start and again fully warm, feeling for shudder or hesitation at low speed and on light acceleration. Ask whether the CVT fluid was serviced and whether any transmission calibration or replacement was done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When starting up after a complete stop, the vehicle will surge. It also happens when you put the car into reverse. The dealership stated they had experienced the same problem and had to replace the transmission. Drove our vehicle in the parking lot but could not recreate the problem so would not do anything further. I feel this is a safety risk. This has happened on numerous occasions.”

   NHTSA complaint #11152507, filed 2018-11, 28,000 miles

   “I was driving on I-95 north in marryland when e.s.c(electronic stability control)light came on.I stopped at marryland house travel plaza and restarted the engine ,shifted to drive but car didnot and check engine light also came.eventually I bought mass air sensor from dealer and installed it”

   NHTSA complaint #11350166, filed 2020-08, 112,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Engine oil consumption and sludge claims

   • 13 complaints (19%)
   • median 29,604 mi at 3.2 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2018–2026

   Complaints describe smoke or excessive exhaust, low oil pressure warnings, ticking or timing-chain noise on cold start, and engines that eventually knock or fail. Several owners say the dealer attributed the damage to sludge or missed oil changes and quoted a new engine, while the owners state maintenance was performed. Others report the engine simply died with no prior warning. Often reported between roughly 60,000 and 80,000 miles, though some appear earlier.

   What to check: Check the oil level and condition and look for a fuel or burnt smell; ask for oil change records. Listen for a rattle or tick on a cold start and look for blue or heavy smoke from the exhaust.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The vehicle needs a completely new engine and I had made it known that I want to trade in the vehicle the very next day but was told that I need to wait until 30 days has past. I have reached out to the Loan institution and have documentation provided below of that INFINITI database in November of 2023 that this same vehicle needed a new engine. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11588680, filed 2024-05

   “We bought the car used at about 24,000 miles. No engine lights were on. After about a month of owning it smoke would come from the exhaust when started. Took it in to be look at and was told it was a fuel injector and it was replaced. No more issues for about 6 months when it suddenly lost power on the interstate at dawn barley made it to the side of the road without getting ran over. Had to have it towed to a shop where I was told it was a bad coil and they replaced it. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11509313, filed 2023-02
4. 4
   Other or unknown

   Sunroof or moonroof glass shattering

   • 7 complaints (10%)
   • median 10,120 mi at 1.4 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2017–2026

   Complaints describe the sunroof glass shattering with a loud bang while driving, with no apparent impact from debris or an overpass, sending glass into the cabin. Some owners had the glass replaced under warranty, others paid out of pocket or went through insurance. Reports describe it happening in mild and warm weather alike. Reported from as little as 1,000 miles up to about 116,000 miles, often at highway speed.

   What to check: Inspect the sunroof glass edges and seals for chips or stress marks, and ask whether the panel has ever been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “2017 Infiniti QX60, odo-1400 miles. I just started to drive to my work quiet street 20 MPH and my sunroof popped no physical damage just popped. Contacted dealer they told me what glass never broke by them self. Geico willing to cover but I think its total fault of car maker. Its not about cost its only time and safety brand new car.”

   NHTSA complaint #11075369, filed 2018-02, 1,400 miles

   “While driving on a clear stretch of interstate (not near an underpass or trucks or other cars) the sunroof exploded. It made a sound like a gun, glass came into the car because I did not have the shade closed. There was no indication anything hit the sunroof. A police report was filed and Infiniti covered the repair under the warranty. Upon investigation this issue appears to be systemic in newer vehicles. It was very frightening to my 11 year old daughter and myself. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11040031, filed 2017-10, 2,500 miles
5. 5
   Air bags

   Airbag warning light and occupant sensor faults

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners report a flashing passenger airbag warning light and dealer diagnosis of an occupant classification sensor or module fault, with quotes to replace the sensors and module. Some describe the passenger airbag being disabled until the repair is made. In another case a side airbag code led to a recommendation to replace modules step by step. Reported across a wide mileage range, from around 56,000 miles upward.

   What to check: With the ignition on, confirm the passenger airbag status light behaves correctly when the seat is empty and occupied, and check that no airbag lamp stays lit or flashes after startup.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving on freeway , vehicle suddenly stopped without warning and came from 65 mph to 5mph in few secs. Driver seat airbags popped up. Couldn’t able to stop the vehicle and high clunky sounds while moving on freway.Oil got leaked during this incident. Incident happened on freeway 101 exit 59 in Arizona. No crash or hit.”

   NHTSA complaint #11734202, filed 2026-04

   “Air bag lamp is flashing - took it to dealer to diagnose and advise. They found that DTC B0020-13 for side airbag module left hand, per ESM first step is to check harness - verified harness isn't disconnected or obvious damage to harness per infiniti ESM SRS system diagnosis. Was advised no procedure for voltage check or continuity - infiniti asks to replace parts step by step. Was advised the following - recommend starting repairs with first replacing side airbag module left hand side. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11591247, filed 2024-05

Buying note. This model year draws complaints about stalling and electrical faults at relatively low mileage, so a pre-purchase inspection that scans for stored codes and a highway test drive are worthwhile. Ask for maintenance records covering oil changes, CVT service, battery and alternator work, and check the airbag and sunroof condition.

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.