Last updated: 2026-10-10
2018 Infiniti QX60 Reliability Report
The 2018 Infiniti QX60 has a good reliability standing, but CVT shudder and engine failures are the problems to check before you buy.
Recalls
1
Complaints
38
Complaint Rate
8per 10,000 sold
Est. Repair Cost
$639
Annual Fuel Cost
$3,400
Detailed Score Breakdown
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
The Verdict
Good standing and repair costs below its class, yet among the weaker QX60 years, with CVT shudder, engine failures, and a brake recall as the main concerns.
Top Issues to Watch
- POWER TRAIN (12)
- ENGINE (5)
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (5)
Generation & Refresh (US)
2018 is 1 year after the 2017 update refresh.
- Year 6 in the First generation (L50) (2013–2020).
- Well-established in its generation — most early issues should be resolved.
- 1st generation QX60 (US).
What this means for buyers
Post-refresh years tend to be among the most refined — updates have been applied and early kinks worked out.
2013: First generation (L50) Launch
Generation start — new platform.
2016: Mid-Cycle Refresh
Updated features and styling tweaks.
2017: Mid-Cycle Refresh
Updated features and styling tweaks.
2018: This Model Year
2018 is 1 year after the 2017 update refresh.
Should You Buy the 2018 Infiniti QX60?
Reliability standing is good, and this year beats the typical 2018 SUV. Within the QX60 line it is still among the weaker of nine scored years. Independent repair-cost data puts yearly repairs for the model well below the class figure, and the federal crash-test rating is 5 of 5 stars. The 2019 rates about the same, with a similar complaint count.
The CVT is the main worry. Owners report shuddering, jerking, and hesitation, often between 20 and 60 mph, and repairs do not always cure it. Some who got a replacement transmission still had the shudder. The all-wheel-drive system draws reports of slipping and transfer case leaks, mostly past 50,000 miles. Several engines failed outright between about 65,000 and 154,000 miles. One owner was quoted $13,000. Federal records show one recall for the hydraulic service brakes, and it carries a park-outside fire-risk flag. Owners said parts were slow to arrive.
Ask for proof that the brake recall repair is done. Request service records for the transmission, transfer case, and oil changes, since dealers often blame engine failures on missed oil changes. The 2019 is worth comparing, but it has two recalls to check.
Compared to the 2019 Infiniti QX60, which scored 1 points lower.
Pros
- +Acceptable reliability score
- +$488 cheaper to maintain than avg midsize SUV
- +Low major repair risk (10%)
- +Low recall count
Cons
- −Frequent unscheduled repairs
- −POWER TRAIN: Shuddering, jerking, and hesitation from the CVT are the most common reports,... (12 complaints)
- −SERVICE BRAKES: Most of these reports are about waiting on a recall repair, not about brakes... (5 complaints)
Compare 2018 Infiniti QX60 With
Common Problem Categories
Safety
LOW RISK- 1 manufacturer recall issued
Other
HIGH RISK- POWER TRAIN (12)
- ENGINE (5)
Recall Overview
1
recall on record
The 2018 Infiniti QX60 carries 1 recall — a low count. Authorized dealers repair any open recall free of charge, regardless of warranty status.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
8
per 10,000 soldSegment avg: 27.1
Safety Incidents
2
Crashes
0
Fires
9
Injuries
0
Deaths
NHTSA 5/5 Stars
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
2018 Infiniti QX60 Recall Details
1 recall has been issued for the 2018 Infiniti QX60. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Nissan Murano, 2016-2018 Nissan Maxima, and 2017-2019 Nissan Pathfinder and Infiniti QX60 vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and unrepaired, or inspected and determined to not need a repair, under recall number 18V-601. In addition, this recall expands the previous population. The Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) actuator pumps may allow brake fluid to leak onto an internal circuit board.
Consequence
A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ABS actuator, free of charge. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available, currently expected to be during summer 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Note: If the ABS warning light remains illuminated for more than 10 seconds after engine start up, owners are advised to park the vehicle outdoors away from other vehicles or structures and to not drive the vehicle.
Buying a used 2018 Infiniti QX60? Check its history first
Power train problems lead owner complaints about the 2018 Infiniti QX60, and 1 recall was issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
2018 Infiniti QX60 NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall Safety Rating
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
Gas Powertrain
Rollover risk: 17.4%
Safety Technologies
Infiniti QX60Repair Costs & Maintenance
Maintenance Rating
3.5Maintenance rating: 3.5 out of 5Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.
Est. Annual Maintenance
$639
vs $1127 avg for midsize SUV
vs $652 avg for all vehicles
Repair Frequency
0.9
unscheduled repair visits per year
Severe Repair Probability
10%
chance of a major repair
Annual Cost Comparison
Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.
MPG & Annual Running Costs
Gas
22 MPG
Running cost: $4,050/yr
Fuel + repair
19–20 city / 26–27 hwy MPG
Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2018 EPA label cycle.
Gas trims
| Trim | Drive | Trans. | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QX60 AWD 3.5L 6-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S7) | 19 | 26 | 22 | $3,400 |
| QX60 FWD 3.5L 6-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S7) | 20 | 27 | 22 | $3,400 |
Used Buying Checklist
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2018 Infiniti QX60.
Drive between 20 and 60 mph and feel for transmission shudder, jerking, or hesitation when accelerating.
Accelerate hard from a stop while turning and watch for a spinning rear wheel or slipping.
Look under the car for leaks at the transfer case and between the oil pan and transmission.
Start the engine cold and watch for white exhaust smoke, ticking, or knocking.
Ask for records of any timing chain, engine, transmission, or transfer case replacement.
Confirm the ABS, airbag, and seatbelt warning lights turn off after startup and stay off.
Test the radio, climate controls, defroster, and every wiper speed before buying.
Rock the driver's seat firmly and listen for looseness or rattles on a rough road.
2018 Infiniti QX60 Common Problems by Component
38 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
POWER TRAIN
12 complaintsShuddering, jerking, and hesitation from the CVT are the most common reports, often between 20 and 60 mph. Repairs don't always fix it. A replaced valve or even a replacement transmission can leave the shudder in place or worse. A second pattern involves the all-wheel-drive system. Owners describe slipping, a rear wheel spinning, a failed rear electric coupling, and transfer case leaks that come back after replacement, mostly past 50,000 miles. Other reports include a P0776 transmission code with long warranty approval delays, a parked car rolling backward, and a droning noise that dealers call normal.
ENGINE
5 complaintsSeveral engines fail outright. The car won't start or dies on the highway, and dealers call for a new engine or timing chain. Reported failures fall between about 65,000 and 154,000 miles, and one owner was quoted $13,000. Thick white smoke at cold start and after long drives is another complaint. Dealers often blame sludge from missed oil changes, even when owners show maintenance records. Some failures happen just after the warranty expires, and some owners get little or no help paying.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
5 complaintsThe car brakes and accelerates on its own while driving. In another case, an ABS fault left the brake pedal impossible to press and the car rolled onto a busy road. The windshield wipers stall during rain and restart up to a minute later. The center console can go dark, taking out the radio, climate controls, and defroster, while the ABS and airbag lights flash. Check-engine complaints mention rough idle, lean-fuel codes, and a ticking noise that led to a timing chain or engine replacement diagnosis.
SERVICE BRAKES (5 complaints)
SERVICE BRAKES
5 complaintsSafety-relatedMost of these reports are about waiting on a recall repair, not about brakes that failed. Owners say parts were unavailable and dealers could not say when they would arrive. Some saw an ABS warning light while they waited. One crash report describes losing control on a curve in the rain, with 6 people injured. The driver could not say whether the brakes caused it. Separately, brakes squeal in reverse, and dealers point to a service bulletin calling the noise normal.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (2 complaints)
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2 complaintsThe car speeds up and brakes on its own while driving, without driver input. In another case, the engine lost power at about 50 mph and the car slowed to 20 mph while the engine knocked and the check-engine light came on. That happened at 126,422 miles. Both failures happen in traffic, which creates a real risk of being hit from behind. There are only 2 complaints in this category.
STEERING (2 complaints)
STEERING
2 complaintsThe wheel turns heavy or locks up, including during a turn from a stop onto a busy road, which can leave the car stuck in traffic. A second report pairs stiff steering with a hard-to-push accelerator from the day of purchase, straining the driver's arm and leg. Dealer diagnostics found no fault in that case even though the technician felt the problem on a test drive. There are only 2 complaints, but both describe a safety risk.
SEATS (2 complaints)
SEATS
2 complaintsThe driver's seat comes loose. It rocks or slides back and forth while driving, and dealers have not fixed it, even under warranty. One of these reports also mentions constant rattling and a loose gas tank. The manufacturer sent an inspector and paid compensation for repeated service visits, but the rattling remained. There are only 2 complaints in this category, and neither mentions a crash or injury.
AIR BAGS (1 complaints)
AIR BAGS
1 complaintSafety-relatedI was doing around 60 mph when a guy to my right did an illegal u turn right in front of my car. The front of my car hit the driver side of his car. There was extensive damage to the front end of my car but my air bags did not go off.
SUSPENSION (1 complaints)
SUSPENSION
1 complaintThe contact owns a 2018 Infiniti QX60. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH and making a left turn, the contact stated that the rear of the vehicle was vibrating and shuddering. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact stated that rear electric coupling needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 92,000.
VISIBILITY (1 complaints)
VISIBILITY
1 complaintThe contact owns a 2018 Infiniti QX60. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, he heard an abnormal sound. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to park at a nearby parking lot and noticed that the sunroof panel had shattered. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact then towed the vehicle to Infiniti at HGreg Monrovia (821 E Central Ave, Monrovia, CA 91016: (626) 275-1385) and was informed that the sunroof panel had to be impacted with an object to shatter. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000. The sunroof of my vehicle exploded while driving on the 105 freeway from the airport area in Los Angeles.. I also just found out there is a class action Law Suit. This was extremely dangerous. My life was at risk and order drivers on the freeway. Please don't let Infinity get away with murder. Sunroof on the vehicle exploded while driving on the 105 freeway from the airport area in Los Angeles.. Consumer also found out there is a class action Law Suit.
Best & Worst Infiniti QX60 Years
Best Infiniti QX60 Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreInfiniti QX60 Years to Avoid
No Infiniti QX60 years are statistical outliers in our data.
Scores stay between 71 and 82 across 9 scored model years.
Infiniti QX60 Reliability Score Trend
Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 72/100 | Good |
| 2019 | 71/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 74/100 | Good |
| 2021 | 81/100 | Excellent |
| 2022 | 73/100 | Good |
| 2023 | 72/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 73/100 | Good |
| 2025 | 76/100 | Good |
| 2026 | 82/100 | Excellent |
Infiniti QX60 Reliability Compared to Other Years
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2018 Infiniti QX60 reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Infiniti QX60?
Does the 2018 Infiniti QX60 have transmission problems?
Does the 2018 Infiniti QX60 have engine problems?
Was the 2018 Infiniti QX60 recalled?
Don’t buy a 2018 Infiniti QX60 without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.
How we score the 2018 Infiniti QX60
Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2018 Infiniti QX60 does best on how many systems draw complaints (84/100) and worst on complaint severity (66/100). Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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