Infiniti QX60 L51 — Problems & Common Faults

With the L51, Infiniti simply deleted the previous generation's biggest complaint in 2022: the failure-prone Jatco CVT is gone, replaced by a ZF nine-speed automatic (9HP50). The 3.5-liter VQ35DD direct-injection V6 carries over, now with more output (295 hp versus 265), and with the same sludge risk that could total the older engine from around 47,000 miles. Buying an L51 means buying a structurally cleaner restart — not a pass on oil-change discipline.

The ZF transmission itself holds up well and shares none of the old CVT's baggage: a hard thunk on the cold 1–2 upshift is purely a calibration issue, not a mechanical fault, and gets fixed with a software update (TSB ITB22-026, later supplemented by ITB25-002 addressing highway lugging). The bigger concern is the driver-assist stack — Forward Emergency Braking and ProPilot Assist trigger full-stop events on some vehicles with no obstacle present, typically under bridges or in strong backlight, the basis of a class-action suit against Nissan/Infiniti. Add a center screen that freezes or goes black and that dealers often can't reproduce, plus a recall on 2022–2023 models for driver's seat rails with inadequate welds (NHTSA 23V268).

The panoramic sunroof problem the L50 carried also followed the L51 over — its own class action included — except spontaneous shattering shows up even earlier here, sometimes from around 18,000 miles. NHTSA has logged 75 complaints on the L51 so far, with electrical and powertrain the largest categories — including one fire report each in the electrical and engine buckets, and seven complaints tied specifically to the forward collision avoidance system. There's no hybrid or second engine option on this generation; the VQ35DD is the only drivetrain, which at least simplifies the shopping decision.

Test-drive checklist: Cold-start run through several 1–2 upshifts under light throttle, watch the driver-assist system under highway overpasses and in low sun, cycle the infotainment screen repeatedly and pair CarPlay, check the driver's seat rail for play.

2026 market: 2022 models run $26,000–38,000 depending on trim, from base PURE to top AUTOGRAPH; current 2024/2025 examples are more realistically $35,000–45,000.

Insider pick: A 2023 or 2024 QX60 with a documented TCM software update on the service record — the ZF transmission runs clean by that point, and most of the early infotainment growing pains have been ironed out. For extra peace of mind, ask the dealer to confirm the seat-rail recall status before signing anything.