784 messages,
Last post on Jul 18, 2012 at 4:07 AM
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Infiniti QX56 Forum.
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Infiniti QX56, Nissan, SUV
#455 of 784 The Brakes from HELL
by wendybe
Mar 14, 2005 (12:53 pm)
I have 7500 miles on my Qx56 and today is the third time it's been in the dealership for brakes alone. (I won't go into the rattles, hatchback issue and the replacement of the Nav system). The service manager finally told me today that the braking system is defective because the rotors are undersized for the vehicle. He says that Nissan/Infinity are well aware of the situation and working on a fix but he did not know when that "fix" would take place. So in the meantime I get to drive a car that requires new rotors every three months. That is not safe. Does anybody have any concrete evidence that this has been resolved in 2005 before I ask them to take back my unsafe 2004 and give me a new 2005. I love the car and don't want any other vehicle but it's not safe.
#456 of 784 05 brake problems
by guyw1
Mar 14, 2005 (6:20 pm)
I have a 2005 QX56. I just had the first set of rotors and brakes installed at 9K miles, but I have been putting up with the shaking steering wheel for a while trying to wait for the fix until I couldn't stand it anymore. I am sure this is not the fix though. I like the size and rear seat room, but the other problems make it like driving a much cheaper vehicle. I am going to wait for the new Lexus full size this coming year. I have owned a Lexus before, a much superior vehicle, but I am also afraid that no one is going to want a used QX56 without taking a beating. Good luck to you 04 guys, but I don't think the 05 is any better.
#457 of 784 Re: The Brakes from HELL [wendybe]
by maizenblue
Mar 16, 2005 (11:28 am)
As I write this, the Manufacturer's Rep is test driving my QX56 for brake/rotor issues and all the rattles, etc. They put new rotor, pins, etc on yesterday, but I do not have faith. This was also done 5 - 6 months ago, but failed to solve problem. This is the 5th time in for brake issue since purchase in March 2004. I, too, feel this is unsafe and ludicrous that a luxury car dealer feels this is satisfactory service and the best way to resolve. Not in my book. This unit should be taken back, and a newer one issued. I've yet to hear that it is considered "normal" for a car to need new brake pads/rotors, etc every 3 to 4 months....NOT what I paid for....I was looking for luxury, quiet, and a smoooooooth relationship with my car, and the dealer....I am so disappointed.
#458 of 784 Re: Scared of new QX56 [qx blues]
by carnutinca
Mar 17, 2005 (10:11 am)
I think the boards here regarding the brake problems should be a red flag for everyone. The problem we all face is that no vehicle in this class has an acceptable quality record. This month's Consumer Reports and JD Power ratings prove my point. Navigator is #1 in problems yet I love the inside, outside, features, and discounted price. Escalade or ESV is way to similar to a Tahoe or Sub especially the interior. QX56 has just what most of us want but has major issues (read this forum completely and search on Google). I test drove the 05 LX470 last Sunday and it's incredible yet not perfect. Very expensive (MSRP $68K w/o XM or rear DVD) and under powered. Any one else feel this way??
#459 of 784 Worst Mistake of My Life, the QX56
by akers
Mar 19, 2005 (2:12 pm)
I took delivery of my "Q" 15 minutes before the dealer closed on the night of Friday 18 June 2004. By Sunday morning, 20 June the nightmare began. It has been one problem after another ever since. I have driven so many silver G35 loaners to work that the military guards at my installation thought I owned both a G35 and a QX56. When I showed up one morning in dark blue instead of silver they thought I had traded in the silver G35 for a dark blue G35.
Infiniti's customer "dis" service people are worthless as well. Silver tongued young ladies that express their regret to all the problems and then tell you there is nothing that they can do, take it back to the dealer. It might as well be a recording. Nissan should take the money they pay these people and use it to bring the 200 engineers back from Japan (again) to finally get these vehicles fixed.
In the last 15 years my family has purchased 10 new vehicles, the "Q" was number 11. We have had everything from Nissan to Ford, Mitsubishi, Toyota, Chevy, and Lexus. This wll be our last Nissan vehicle, that is a promise.
#460 of 784 Re: Worst Mistake of My Life, the QX56 [akers]
by carnutinca
Mar 19, 2005 (3:04 pm)
Please list the problems you are having so we can see how they compare to others here.
#461 of 784 Re: Worst Mistake of My Life, the QX56 [carnutinca]
by akers
Mar 19, 2005 (11:18 pm)
Brakes at 3500, 6657 (including rotors), 9500, and at 12,000 I am due again.
Seat/steering wheel memory, I have started taking great care in NOT bumping the controls when I get in or out but the problem is still there.
Rattles, squeaks, noises.
Intermittent problem with the cruise control not working.
False warnings from the backup sonar.
Poor fit and finish for interior parts. The quality of materials is pretty poor as well.
The overhead assembly fell down before I had owned the "Q" 36 hours. It was been replaced three times before they got it right.
Flaws (grit, sand or ???) in the paint.
Exterior body panels that do not line up properly.
The front suspension has a REAL hard time holding the wheels on the ground on irregular surfaces between about 40 and 70. It can take the steering wheel out of your hand it you do not have a tight grip.
The Continental tires leave a lot to be desired.
I have over 30 digital photos of some of the more visible problems that made it all the way up to VP level at one of Nissan's major parts suppliers. I received several thank you's as they used them to help analyze what went wrong and defend themselves from Nissan's erroneous laying blame on them instead of the VERY poor workmanship (I use the word lightly) at the Canton plant.
#462 of 784 QX56 vs Escalade vs Navigator vs Denali
by smmiller
Mar 20, 2005 (5:48 pm)
We were recently in the market for a full size Luxury UTE. We evaluated the Navigator, the Escalade, the QX56, and the Yukon Denali.
We really liked the QX56 -- but I have to be honest -- the horror stories on this board kept us away. We loved the space inside the vehicle -- 2nd row space is incredible. The fold down rear seats, the silky smooth power, great ride. There were a few things we did not like at all -- the door handles are the cheesiest things on the planet. They just didn't communicate "quality" in any sense. If a basic detail like that is so bad -- the things we read on this board are very easy to believe. the location of the digital clock & compass is bizarre. the clock is so cheezy it looks like a 1960's retro clock! The Nav system with the toggle was a real pain in the arse to use. Even with all of those little things we didn't like the rest of the vehicle is far ahead and this vehicle has promise if Infiniti can clean these up and deliver reliability. We will take a strong at these again next time we're in the market.
We also looked at the Navigator. The 2005 is a fine vehicle. The only thing I really disliked was the stupid door that opens and closes over the Nav system/radio. What's up with that? I also found the ride to be too soft for me. I want to feel some contact with the road under me and there just wasn't any with the Navigator. The power rear seats and lift gate were sort of cool -- but completely useless for me because we'll never use the 3rd row seats and I'm tall enough that raising/lowering the lift gate is not an issue. Pricing on the Navigator is extremely soft! Dealers were all offering $10-$12k off MSRP in their newspaper ads! Resale value down the road was a real concern.
We never expected to give the Yukon and the Escalade much of a look. We decided we would give them a shot. The base Yukon wasn't interesting at all. The Denali was clearly a big step up. The biggest downside for us is that the 3rd row seats don't fold down -- so we would have to take them out and store them somewhere. These are not moving either and the dealer was frank in telling us that we would get a great deal. A Chevy dealer down the street was advertising brand new Tahoes at 25% off MSRP!
We then went and drove the Escalade. We were quite surprised. It had the most comfortable front seats of all! With enough adjustment settings that it was easy to find just the perfect settings for me. When you're over 6 feet-- that can be a challenge in a lot of vehicles. The ride was clearly superior to the Denali and the Escalade was noticeably quieter than the Denali and somewhat quieter than the Infiniti. We had been driving a Trailblazer and found the similarities comforting. We were used to how the controls worked and they were located where we expected them to be. The touch screen Nav system is easy to use too.
In our final rankings of the Vehicles we ended up with (this is highly personal and subjective) the following:
Cadillac Escalade
Infinity QX56
Lincoln Navigator
GMC Yukon Denali
We also looked at Consumer Reports. The Cadillac isn't covered but it's based on the same platform as the Yukon/Tahoe which is a CR best buy and recent model years are scoring very very well. We felt very comfortable with the quality of the Cadillac. The extra year or 14k of Warranty is also a nice extra over the Denali.
The Infiniti's quality reputation was a deal killer for us. If we hadn't read this board we probably never would have test driven the Escalade or Navigator. Our initial impression was that high!
In the end we (as you probably guessed) moved up from the Trailblazer to the Escalade. We absolutely love it. We got ours with the big 20" wheels & tires -- which look great and makes the vehicle ride higher. The downside of the big tires is extra road noise when we drive on some of the heavily rutted freeways. Moving over and driving in the passing lane generally cures that problem.
Our recommendation is to drive all 4 of these vehicles -- none is far superior to any of the others. Your choice will likely come down to subjective personal criteria and quality reputation. If you're sensitive to price the Denali is a great value right now. Otherwise I think it's a race between the Escalade and the Navigator until Infiniti cleans up its act. The QX56 has a lot of promise.
#463 of 784 Re: The Brakes from HELL [wendybe]
by qx blues
Mar 21, 2005 (2:00 pm)
I, too had the brakes from hell. After 4 months, I had the brake pads replaced, then 2 more times by mid February. After the 3rd replacement, I almost wrecked due to the rotors needing replacement. After arbitration decided they wanted to "stick to the warranty", I got rid of that vehicle. Won't have to worry about their poor customer service anymore! Good luck!
#464 of 784 Happy with the QX56
by kenr
Mar 24, 2005 (2:46 pm)
We've had the QX56 since late October. Almost five full months, just over 5000 miles. Absolutely no problems. Just got the first oil change. We really love the vehicle. It was built in September, so I wonder if some of the quality issues described above were ironed out.