Infiniti QX80

VK56VD timing chain stretches prematurely on early builds (pre-March 2013). Typically affects vehicles from 52,000–93,000 miles. HPFP riding on the timing chain increases load. Infiniti issued a service campaign, but not all owners were covered.

Symptoms: Loud squealing or rattling from front of engine, poor throttle response, check engine light

Camshaft lobe wears through the original HPFP lifter bucket. Fuel leaks into the engine oil, washing off the lubrication film. Neglected, this leads to catastrophic engine damage.

Symptoms: Fuel smell in engine oil, power loss, starting difficulty, engine rattling

Fuel pump impeller can swell and bind inside the pump module, causing fuel starvation and engine stall. NHTSA recall 21V-373 affects 2020–2021 QX80. Dealers replace fuel pump module free of charge.

Symptoms: Sudden engine stall while driving, starting difficulty, fuel pressure warning

Fuel pressure sensors were not sufficiently tightened during production. Sensor can loosen with use and cause a fuel leak. NHTSA recall 14V-683 affects 2014–2015 QX80. Dealers re-torque sensors free of charge.

Symptoms: Fuel smell, fuel puddle under vehicle, check engine light

Cooling fan on early builds corrodes from salt exposure and seizes. Overheating risk at idle or low speeds, with potential head gasket damage.

Symptoms: Temperature gauge rises in traffic, A/C performance drops, fan fails to activate

5.6L V8 in early QX80/QX56 models (built before March 2013) prone to premature timing chain stretch. Repair cost $3,000–5,000 if not covered by service campaign. HPFP riding on the timing chain adds stress.

Fuel pump impeller swells and binds due to a supplier manufacturing defect. Affects 2020–2021 model years. Engine can stall and fail to restart. Infiniti replaces the fuel pump assembly at no charge.

QX80 smart charging system fails to fully charge the battery due to current sensor drift. Battery drains within a week on infrequent use. Problem worsens in cold climates. Up to 9 dealer visits without resolution documented.

Hydraulic Body Motion Control compressor is the most common first failure point in the HBMC system. Winter use draws in moist salty air that accelerates internal corrosion.

Around View Monitor freezes or displays black when shifted into reverse. Software initialization failure confirmed by NHTSA recall 24V748 for 2025 QX80. Older models affected by camera module crash at startup.