Infiniti QX60
Updated VQ35DE with direct injection — same power, dramatically increased sludge risk from the DI setup. Oil change intervals must be shortened to 5,000 miles maximum. Owners report complete engine failures from 45,000 miles despite regular service. Dealers frequently deny warranty claims on sludge-related failures.
QX60 2022+ — CVT gone, ZF 9-speed, fresh start
The L51 redesign replaced the problematic Jatco CVT with a ZF 9-speed automatic. More power, better shifts, and a transmission that actually holds up. The DI sludge concern remains — keep oil changes at 5k miles. Early infotainment bugs affect some owners but resolve with software updates.
Engine Weaknesses 3
Direct injection V6 prone to severe oil sludge buildup even with regular oil changes. Engine replacement costs $13,000–18,000. Dealers deny warranty coverage citing maintenance issues. Oil changes every 5,000 miles are mandatory.
Symptoms: Sudden power loss, low oil pressure warning, white exhaust smoke, thick black sludge visible on oil cap
Direct injection does not wash intake valves — PCV oil mist deposits carbon. Noticeable power reduction from around 80,000 km. Walnut blasting cleaning recommended.
Symptoms: Rough idle, misfires, power loss in upper rev range
Valve cover gaskets become leaky with mileage on the VQ35DD. Standard inexpensive repair.
Symptoms: Oily smell, visible oil traces on valve covers, oil on spark plugs
Vehicle Weaknesses 6
Forward Emergency Braking (FEB) and ProPilot Assist trigger false full-stop events with no obstacle present. Common under bridges, gantry signs, and in bright backlight. Class action lawsuit filed against Nissan/Infiniti.
Panoramic roof glass can shatter without any impact while driving or parked. Multiple NHTSA complaints filed. Glass fragments enter the cabin. Part of broader Nissan/Infiniti sunroof lawsuit.
Fuel pump impeller can swell due to fuel composition and bind internally. Check engine light illuminates, engine can stall and fail to restart. NHTSA recall 21V373.
ZF 9HP50 automatic produces a hard thunk on the cold 1–2 shift under light throttle. TSB ITB22-026 (TCM recalibration) addresses this. TSB ITB25-002 corrects highway lugging. Not a mechanical defect — calibration-only issue.
L51 QX60 center infotainment screen freezes or goes completely black. Bluetooth drops connection. Dealers often cannot reproduce the fault. Restart resolves it temporarily.
Blower motor develops knocking or rattling from debris inside the fan cage or from worn bearings. Cleaning or motor replacement required. Access through passenger footwell.
