This page covers 4 recalls, 13 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2011 Infiniti M56.
19 mpg combined
12.4 L/100km
Midsize Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Powertrain complaints dominate the 2011 Infiniti M56 owner reports, with drivetrain and transmission behavior drawing the most attention. Several owners describe violent shaking at highway speeds, which multiple reports link to driveshaft issues. A few owners also report hesitation and stalling during low-speed acceleration, the vehicle failing to respond when the pedal is pressed from a stop. On the engine side, at least one owner describes a limp-mode situation where the car lost power and couldn't exceed roughly 15 mph, accompanied by a check engine light. One isolated report mentions the front passenger seat occupant sensor failing, causing the passenger airbag to deactivate, with no dealer fix available at the time of filing. The driveshaft shaking at speeds above 60 mph is the most consistently described symptom across multiple complaints.
13
Total Complaints
By System
The 2011 Infiniti M56 has 4 recalls, all centering on the same serious defect: a driveshaft that can fatigue and break on two-wheel-drive models, cutting power to the wheels and potentially disabling the parking brake.
When the driveshaft breaks while driving, the vehicle loses all drive power, which can leave the car unable to accelerate or maintain speed in traffic. In more severe cases, the failure can also damage the parking brake mechanism, meaning there may be no reliable way to keep the parked vehicle from rolling away on any incline. Prior repair attempts did not fully resolve the issue, which is why multiple recall filings address this same underlying defect. Owners of 2WD models should confirm whether their vehicle has been repaired, as this concern applies across a range of Infiniti and Nissan vehicles from this era.
At a glance
What can fail
The driveshaft may have a manufacturing defect that causes it to break, cutting power to the wheels. On 2WD models, this could allow a parked vehicle to roll if the parking brake isn't applied.
What the fix does
Nissan will mail you instructions to visit a dealership, where technicians will replace the driveshaft.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driveshaft can develop fatigue cracks and break, potentially causing loss of power to the wheels.
What the fix does
The driveshaft will be replaced at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driveshaft may break while driving, causing loss of power to the wheels. In severe cases, it can damage the parking brake, preventing the vehicle from staying stopped when parked.
What the fix does
The driveshaft will be replaced at a dealer.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driveshaft may break on certain 2WD models equipped with hybrid or VK56 powertrains.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driveshaft at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
