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 centered on the same serious issue: the driveshaft on two-wheel-drive models can crack and break, cutting power to the wheels or disabling the parking brake and allowing the car to roll away.
When the driveshaft breaks while driving, the vehicle loses forward momentum without warning. In a more severe failure, the break can also damage the parking brake mechanism, leaving no reliable way to hold the car in place on a slope. Prior repair attempts did not fully resolve the issue, which is why multiple recall campaigns exist for this defect. All four recalls address this same underlying problem on 2WD-equipped vehicles.
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.
