Infiniti M56: Years to Avoid and Best Years to Buy
Infiniti M56: 3 model years scored from 24 NHTSA owner complaints and 8 recall campaigns. Worst year 2012, best year 2013.
Year-by-year data table
Best year in our data: 2013 (score 89). Worst: 2012 (score 88, BUY).
| Year | Score | Verdict | Running cost / yr | NHTSA complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 89 | BUY | $6,412 | 2 | 3 |
| 2012 | 88 | BUY | $6,705 | 4 | 3 |
| 2011 | 62 | CAUTION | $6,712 | 18 | 2 |
Running cost is fuel or energy plus the maintenance band midpoint for that car at its age today, re-priced to your country. Purchase price, insurance and depreciation are not included.
Photographs and every generation of the M56, through the years →
What goes wrong on the Infiniti M56
Across every M56 model year in our index, owners report these component groups most often. The cost beside each one is the representative repair for that group at a US independent shop, re-priced to your country.
- Power Train10 complaints across all M56 years · typical job: Transmission service or clutch-pack repair$1,290–$4,040
- Engine6 complaints across all M56 years · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair$1,040–$2,220
- Electrical System4 complaints across all M56 years · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement$540–$1,310
- Steering3 complaints across all M56 years · typical job: Electric power-steering rack or column motor replacement$1,020–$2,500
- Fuel/Propulsion System3 complaints across all M56 years · typical job: Fuel pump or injector replacement$680–$1,620
- Air Bags3 complaints across all M56 years · typical job: Airbag module, clockspring or sensor replacement$600–$1,700
Flat-rate labour hours x local shop rate plus a parts band. An estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote. Formula.
FAQ
What is the best year for the Infiniti M56?
On our data the 2013 Infiniti M56 scores 89/100 — the highest of the 3 model years we hold, with 2 NHTSA complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record.
Which Infiniti M56 years should I avoid?
The 2012 is the weakest year we score, at 88/100 (BUY), on 4 complaints and 3 recalls. Check the year-by-year table above before committing to any particular car.
What is the most common Infiniti M56 problem?
10 of the complaints filed against the M56 across all its model years sit in the Power Train group — more than any other component.
Compare with
Sources: NHTSA, EPA · Methodology · Updated 2026-10-04