Owners have filed 38 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the transmission, brakes, and electrical. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2018One recall on this model year told owners to park outside until the repair was done.
Do not buy until you have dealer paperwork or a recall lookup showing it was completed for this VIN.
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2018 Infiniti QX60: inspection sheet
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/2
Engine off, key in hand0/1
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/3
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/3
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
These years share the 2018's design and most of its parts, so their problems are the ones to look for on this car too.
Worth adding to your 2018 checks
Worth adding to your 2018 checks
EPA figures for each version of the 2018 Infiniti QX60. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6-cyl | AWD, FWD | 22 mpg |
NHTSA complaints for the 2018 Infiniti QX60, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Shuddering, 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.
Most 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.
The 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.
Several 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.
The 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.
The 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.
The 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.
Excerpts from complaints QX60 owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
Car is slipping and have had CV joints checked, fluids replaced. Was told it was the differential coupling. Looked it up and many, many others are having the same issue. This is a safety concern because the transmission is slipping on these cars when they get to 50,000+ miles.
Filed with NHTSA, October 2024
Check Engine light came on. Diagnosis revealed timing chain needs to be replaced. Mileage is past the warranty but years is not past the warranty. Repair comes just a couple of months after gear shift locked up and full gear shift assembly had to be replaced.
Filed with NHTSA, August 2024
While driving, the vehicle often brakes and accelerates without my control. I've reported this issue before. My brakes are fine, according to the vehicle status.
Filed with NHTSA, September 2025
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2018 has the most owner complaints of the 8 QX60 years we cover, about 1.8 times the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2018 is the sixth model year of the QX60's first generation (2013–2020).
It includes the 2017 update.
What changed for 2017
Recall repairs are free at any Infiniti dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
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.
Risk: A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Cars shoppers compare with the Infiniti QX60, with their own 2018 checklists.
2018 owner complaints, side by side
