The Infiniti M56 spans 2011–2013 with 8 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 5.0/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 2011, 2012, 2013 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 2013, 2012, 2011. It delivers up to 19 mpg combined and 5-star NHTSA safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Infiniti M56 is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 2011 to 2013 across multiple generations.
How to read a Infiniti M56 VIN — every digit explained
Every Infiniti M56 carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Infiniti and the country it was built in.
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this M56.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your M56, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Infiniti M56 have?
The Infiniti M56 has 8 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2011–2013. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
2013 Infiniti M56 recalls 3
Power Train:driveline:driveshaft
What's wrong. Nissan North America, Inc. (INFINITI) is recalling certain 2011-2013 M56, 2012-2013 M35 Hybrid, 2014-2018 Q50, Q70 Hybrid, 2014-2019 Q70, and 2015-2019 Q70L two-wheel drive vehicles. The driveshaft can fatigue and break.
Risk. A broken driveshaft can result in a loss of drive power, or a vehicle roll away when the vehicle is in park without the parking brake applied. Both scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will replace the driveshaft, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 13, 2024. Owners may contact INFINITI's customer service at 1-800-662-6200. INFINITI's numbers for this recall are R24A5 and R24A7.
Fuel System, Gasoline
What's wrong. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Nissan Juke, 2012-2013 Infiniti M56, QX56, and 2014-2015 Infiniti Q70 (V8 engine vehicles only), and QX80 vehicles. The fuel pressure sensors may not have been sufficiently tightened during production. As a result, the fuel pressure sensor may loosen with vehicle usage and cause a fuel leak.
Risk. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source could cause a vehicle fire.
Fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will re-torque the fuel pressure sensors free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Power Train:driveline:driveshaft
What's wrong. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Infiniti M56, 2012-2013 M35 Hybrid, and 2014 Q70 and Q70 Hybrid vehicles. These models, equipped with 2WD and with a hybrid or VK56 powertrain, have a driveshaft that may break.
Risk. A broken driveshaft can cause a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash, or may disable the parking brake, increasing the risk of a rollaway and injury.
Fix. Infiniti will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began February 5, 2021. Owners may contact Infiniti customer service at 1-800-662-6200.
2012 Infiniti M56 recalls 3
Power Train:driveline:driveshaft
What's wrong. Nissan North America, Inc. (INFINITI) is recalling certain 2011-2013 M56, 2012-2013 M35 Hybrid, 2014-2018 Q50, Q70 Hybrid, 2014-2019 Q70, and 2015-2019 Q70L two-wheel drive vehicles. The driveshaft can fatigue and break.
Risk. A broken driveshaft can result in a loss of drive power, or a vehicle roll away when the vehicle is in park without the parking brake applied. Both scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will replace the driveshaft, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 13, 2024. Owners may contact INFINITI's customer service at 1-800-662-6200. INFINITI's numbers for this recall are R24A5 and R24A7.
Fuel System, Gasoline
What's wrong. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Nissan Juke, 2012-2013 Infiniti M56, QX56, and 2014-2015 Infiniti Q70 (V8 engine vehicles only), and QX80 vehicles. The fuel pressure sensors may not have been sufficiently tightened during production. As a result, the fuel pressure sensor may loosen with vehicle usage and cause a fuel leak.
Risk. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source could cause a vehicle fire.
Fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will re-torque the fuel pressure sensors free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Power Train:driveline:driveshaft
What's wrong. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Infiniti M56, 2012-2013 M35 Hybrid, and 2014 Q70 and Q70 Hybrid vehicles. These models, equipped with 2WD and with a hybrid or VK56 powertrain, have a driveshaft that may break.
Risk. A broken driveshaft can cause a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash, or may disable the parking brake, increasing the risk of a rollaway and injury.
Fix. Infiniti will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began February 5, 2021. Owners may contact Infiniti customer service at 1-800-662-6200.
2011 Infiniti M56 recalls 2
Power Train:driveline:driveshaft
What's wrong. Nissan North America, Inc. (INFINITI) is recalling certain 2011-2013 M56, 2012-2013 M35 Hybrid, 2014-2018 Q50, Q70 Hybrid, 2014-2019 Q70, and 2015-2019 Q70L two-wheel drive vehicles. The driveshaft can fatigue and break.
Risk. A broken driveshaft can result in a loss of drive power, or a vehicle roll away when the vehicle is in park without the parking brake applied. Both scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will replace the driveshaft, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 13, 2024. Owners may contact INFINITI's customer service at 1-800-662-6200. INFINITI's numbers for this recall are R24A5 and R24A7.
Power Train:driveline:driveshaft
What's wrong. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Infiniti M56, 2012-2013 M35 Hybrid, and 2014 Q70 and Q70 Hybrid vehicles. These models, equipped with 2WD and with a hybrid or VK56 powertrain, have a driveshaft that may break.
Risk. A broken driveshaft can cause a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash, or may disable the parking brake, increasing the risk of a rollaway and injury.
Fix. Infiniti will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began February 5, 2021. Owners may contact Infiniti customer service at 1-800-662-6200.
Best and worst years for the Infiniti M56
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 3 tracked years, the worst years are 2011, 2012, 2013 and the best (fewest complaints) are 2013, 2012, 2011.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 M56 | Power Train | Avoid | |
| 2012 M56 | Engine | Avoid | |
| 2013 M56 | Power Train | Avoid |
What are the most common Infiniti M56 problems?
The most-reported Infiniti M56 problems are Engine (6 reports), Wheels (1 reports) and Air Bags (3 reports) — out of 24 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Infiniti M56 specifications & dimensions
The 2011–2013 Infiniti M56 measures 195″ long on a 114″ wheelbase, with a curb weight near 4,028 lb. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Infiniti M56 window sticker.
| Years | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011–2013 | 195″ | 73″ | 59″ | 114″ | 4,028 lb |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Infiniti M56 cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the M56 holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 104 cu ft of passenger volume and 15 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Infiniti M56 tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Infiniti M56 get?
The Infiniti M56 returns up to 19 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $4,050/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 2013 Infiniti M56 (5.6L 8-cyl) gets 19 mpg combined and costs about $4,050/yr to fuel, emitting 476 g/mi CO₂ (GHG 4/10, smog 6/10) — about $9,250 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 M56 | 16 | 24 | $4,050 | 476 | 6/10 | 5.6L 8-cyl | |
| 2012 M56 | 16 | 24 | $4,050 | 468 | 6/10 | 5.6L 8-cyl | |
| 2011 M56 | 16 | 25 | $4,050 | 468 | 6/10 | 5.6L 8-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the M56 stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this M56's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Infiniti M56 have? Power & range
The Infiniti M56 is offered with 1 powertrain — 5.6L 8-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V8 | 5.6L · 8-cyl | Automatic (S7) | RWD | Premium |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a Infiniti M56 cost to own?
A Infiniti M56 tends to depreciate faster than average. A typical example keeps roughly 37% of its value after five years — losing about 63% to depreciation. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 75% | $22,500 | −$7,500 |
| Year 2 | 63% | $18,900 | −$11,100 |
| Year 3 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 4 | 44% | $13,200 | −$16,800 |
| Year 5 | 37% | $11,100 | −$18,900 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this M56 loses about 63% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $20,250 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the M56 ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
How much is a Infiniti M56 to insure?
A Infiniti M56 costs about $2,330 a year to insure for a typical driver on full coverage — roughly 62% above the average car. That's from its real HLDI insurance-loss index (162, where 100 = average car); your own rate moves with state, age, record and coverage.
Estimate = US-average premium × the M56's HLDI loss index. See Infiniti insurance cost by model, cost by state, or compare any car.
Is the Infiniti M56 safe?
The Infiniti M56 earns up to 5-star NHTSA overall safety — real government crash-test data. Ratings by year:
| Year | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 M56 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2012 M56 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2011 M56 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested model years.
Want the safest pick? Compare crash-test scores across the safest cars.
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How many miles does a Infiniti M56 last?
A well-maintained Infiniti M56 typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 5.0/5.
Check your Infiniti M56’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this M56’s VIN free →All Infiniti M56 model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Infiniti M56 — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 M56 | 3 recalls | ★★★★★ | |
| 2012 M56 | 3 recalls | ★★★★☆ | |
| 2011 M56 | 2 recalls | ★★★★☆ |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the M56?
By owner-complaint volume, 2011, 2012, 2013 drew the most reports. 2013, 2012, 2011 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the M56 have?
8 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2011–2013. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all Infiniti recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the M56 get?
Up to 19 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
Is the M56 safe?
The M56 earns up to 5-star NHTSA overall crash-test safety; ratings vary by model year.
How many miles does a M56 last?
A well-maintained M56 typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the M56 reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the M56 is 5.0/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Infiniti M56 warranty?
New Infiniti models carry a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 6 years / 70,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Infiniti dealer.
Where is the Infiniti M56 made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your M56's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Infiniti may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much does a M56 weigh?
The M56's curb weight is around 4,028 lb. Its GVWR — the maximum loaded weight — decodes from the VIN.
How much ground clearance does the M56 have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.