InfinitiQX562005Overview/infiniti/qx56/2005/base/

2005 Infiniti QX56

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2005 QX56.

Body SUV

The 2005 Infiniti QX56 is a full‑size SUV that relies on a 6.6‑quart oil capacity and a 5W‑30 API‑SL viscosity blend to lubricate its powertrain, underscoring the vehicle’s substantial mechanical demands. Across its first decade of production (20042013) the model accumulated 80 owner complaints, with service brakes emerging as the most frequent issue and four separate recalls recorded, a modest figure compared with the 2004 peak of 106 complaints. Yet the 2005 year sits near the middle of the model’s reliability curve, well above the low point of just seven complaints recorded in 2009, indicating that while the QX56 was not the most trouble‑free iteration, it also avoided the worst reliability spikes of its early‑generation siblings.

Model year20132010200920082007200620052004

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.6 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 API SLOEM · verified
Lug nut torque98 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 27F · 710 CCA battery, OE oil filter 152089E01A. Note the factory battery is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 27F · 710 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP265-70R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter152089E01A
Engine air filter165467S000
Spark plug224015M016 alt 224015M015
Battery244108S100 discontinued
Front wiper blades288907S200 alt 288904Z800
Serpentine belt117207S00A
Thermostat212001LA1A
Cabin air filter27277VP00A

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length207.5 in
Overall width78.7 in
Overall height78.7 in
Wheelbase123.6 in
Curb weight5631 lb
Track (front / rear)66.9 / 66.9 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)52/48

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the QX56 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.8–7.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.80 sec — 2004 SUV
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2004SUV 5.6L V86.80 sec15.20 sec315 hp4x4
2004SUV 5.6L V87.40 sec15.90 sec315 hp4x4
2006SUV 5.6L V87.10 sec15.60 sec315 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.6 qt of 5W-30 API SL engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 98 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 28.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-7-3-6-5-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity11.2
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.4 Pints
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity6.6 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts62-68 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts6 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts25 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug28.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs7 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts98 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub101 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub170 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-8-7-3-6-5-4-2
Spark Plug Gap0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque18.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing15, Not adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance5 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity2.27-2.49 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity9.80 oz
Standard BCI Group Number27F
Standard BCI Cranking Performance710 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)51.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance1-15 @ 77 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression192-220 PSI. 14 maximum variation PSI.
Engine Oil Pressure14 psi @ Idle, 43 psi @ 2000 rpm psi
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket32 ft-lbs / 24 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle155 ft-lbs / 73 ft-lbs
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0016 in / 0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.024 in / 0.551 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.024 in / 0.551 in
Rotor Minimum Machining0.965 in / 0.472 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.964 in / 0.471 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 1-91.4 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
111 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9011 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
169 ft. lbs., step 2: 9069 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 6 stages
133.0 ft. lbs.33 ft. lbs
270 degrees70 degrees
3Loosen all bolts completely in order.
433.0 ft. lbs.33 ft. lbs
560 degrees60 degrees
660 degrees60 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 1-1029 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 3,750 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant every 3,750 mi. The big-interval services (every 3,750 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 3,750 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill)
Every 7,500 miBattery (inspect electrolyte level) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Steering Gear Box Assembly (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAir Conditioning System (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Pedal Assembly (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 30,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Drive Belt (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Headlamp (inspect alignment)
At 60,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 105,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2005 QX56 arrived as the second model year of its generation, with complaints dropping to 80 from the 106 recorded for the 2004 debut, yet recalls doubled from 2 to 4, matching the peak recall count seen again in 2006 and 2008. This pattern suggests that while owner-reported issues eased slightly, the manufacturer was actively identifying and addressing safety defects, particularly in the brake and fuel systems that dominate the 2005 complaint list (18 service brake, 10 fuel/propulsion, and 9 hydraulic brake reports). The 2 crash complaints tied to these areas underscore the seriousness, though the absence of fire incidents is a minor positive. Within the generation’s arc, 2005 sits in an early, unsettled phase—complaints would later fall to just 21 in 2007—so it carries more unresolved risk than later years. A buyer should verify that all four recalls have been completed and budget for potential brake or fuel system repairs; it’s a serviceable choice only with thorough due diligence.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
99
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
80
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 80 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes18
Fuel/Propulsion System10
Service Brakes, Hydraulic9
Fuel System, Gasoline8
Air Bags3
Fuel System, Other2
Unknown Or Other2
Suspension2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

10E019000Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower ArmReported 20/05/2010

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT AND REAR LOWER LINKS, P/NOS. 54501ZQ00A, 54500ZQ00A, 551A1ZQ00A, 551A0ZQ00A , 54501EA00A, 54500EA00A, 551A1EA500, 551A0EA500, 54501ZR00A, AND 54500ZR00A, SOLD BETWEEN NOVEMBER 25, 2009… Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY AFFECTED LOWER LINK FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

08V284000Equipment:Appliance:Air ConditionerReported 27/06/2008

NISSAN IS RECALLING 180,664 MY 2005-2006 TITAN, ARMADA AND INFINITY QX56 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED AFTER MARCH 17, 2005, THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH A VISTEON AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER FAN MOTOR. THE FAN MOTOR MAY NOT BE… Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A 'THERMAL PROTECTOR KIT' AND TEST THE AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER FAN MOTOR AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 2, 2008. OWNERS MAY…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 99 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
ITB09-063C2026-04-13StructureCERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
ITB10-029C2024-05-20Electrical SystemCAN COMMUNICATION CODES – DIAGNOSTIC TIPS AND GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended…
ITB13-052E2024-05-20Electrical SystemINTELLIGENT KEY NOT DETECTED / ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See…
ITB13-006D2024-05-20Electrical SystemCAN COMMUNICATION – NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See…
ITB17-009H2024-04-29Visibility/WiperWINDOW GLASS WARRANTY INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific QX56. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2005 QX56 take?

6.6 qt of 5W-30 API SL, per the factory manual.

Does the 2005 QX56 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.