Here Are The Infiniti QX80 Years To Avoid
Infiniti QX80 by Elise240SX - CC-BY-SA-4.0
A few things are more luxurious than a luxury three-row large SUV. If you want the best classy comfort and luxurious experiences, it’s hard to go wrong with the leading segment models like the Lincoln Navigator and Cadillac Escalade. However, one luxury three-row SUV that used car buyers should check out is the Infiniti QX80.
The Infiniti QX80 is the mechanical sibling of the Nissan Armada. It’s powered by a potent standard V-8 engine and an old-school body-on-frame construction. This SUV from Nissan’s luxury department isn’t the most popular in the segment, but it’s consistently praised for its luxurious, well-equipped cabin, steady ride, and impressive towing capacity.
Buying a used Infiniti QX80 is an excellent way to step into the world of luxury SUVs. However, it would help if you remembered that not all Infiniti QX80 model years are reliable. In fact, several models should be avoided altogether. Below are some of the worst Infiniti QX80 years to avoid and the models that are worth your time and money.
Let’s dive right in.
THE MOST RELIABLE YEAR FOR THE INFINITI QX80
If you’re looking for an alternative to more well-known luxury three-row options, the Infiniti QX80 is an excellent place to look. One excellent step is to buy your luxury car as a used model. You might wonder - what is the most reliable Infiniti QX80 year on the market?
Which Infiniti QX80 Years To Avoid?
The large luxury SUV segment is certainly not known for reliable vehicles. Due to their size and body-on-frame construction, large luxury SUVs tend to have more reliability issues. As such, would you believe that the Infiniti QX80 is the most reliable model in the segment? That’s right, RepairPal scored the Infiniti QX80 SUV with a reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5.0 and ranked it 1st out of 19 luxury full-size SUVs.
Regardless, some QX80 models are less reliable than others and must be avoided at all costs. These are the model years every buyer should avoid:
- 2014 Infiniti QX80
- 2019 Infiniti QX80
2014 Infiniti QX80
When it comes to reliability, debut models are generally one of the more, if not the most, problematic. That is certainly the case with the 2014 Infiniti QX80. The 2014 model marked the new QX80 nameplate from the Infiniti QX56. With several mechanical and reliability issues, the 2014 model is one of the worst Infiniti QX80 years to avoid.
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Timing Chain Issues
The 2014 Infiniti QX80 has its fair share of significant issues, but the timing chain problem is the worst. Specifically, the QX80’s timing chain was prone to be stretched and eventually fail. Apparently, this was the same timing chain fault with the older QX56 models, which prompted a recall. As detailed by one user at AutoCodes.com:
“My timing chain was stretched. this is the same problem the Infiniti QX56 had. my QX80 has the same motor and replacement timing chain part. the QX56 was issued a voluntary service campaign for this problem. my chain has not been included.”
In most cases, the faulty timing chain had to be replaced, which is not cheap. Some were lucky enough to be covered by warranty, while others had no such luck.
Battery Issues
The 2014 Infiniti QX80 is also no stranger to electrical issues, no thanks to its problematic battery system. Several reports claimed the QX80’s battery is having problems holding a charge. This issue led to symptoms like the car not starting at all. One person shared that the QX80 SUV died just after driving and listening to the radio for 10 minutes. He wrote:
“The QX80 died after only 10 minutes of listening to the radio. We immediately took the vehicle to the dealer and had the battery checked. The mechanic said that there were so many electronic components to the vehicle, that it would automatically drain the battery.”
While that’s a plausible answer, a vehicle (especially luxury models) should be able to handle multiple electronic features at once without losing battery power. Thankfully, the QX80’s battery woe seems rare and not a widespread issue to be concerned with.
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2019 Infiniti QX80
If you want to buy a newer QX80 SUV, we highly recommend skipping the 2019 Infiniti QX80. Although the 2019 QX80 has been far more reliable since its debut, it suffered from annoying electrical/battery and service brake problems.
Electrical Issues
As of this writing, the 2019 Infiniti QX80 has received 13 complaints from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or NHTSA. Of all the complaints, the problematic electrical system is the most common pain point for QX80 owners. One driver from Houston wrote:
“On three occasions the battery in my 2019 qx80 has died for no apparent reason. the car is a 2019 and the battery died 8 months, 10 months, and now 13 months after purchasing it brand new. each time the car has driven fine in the morning on my way to work but when I tried to turn it on to head home it didn’t start.”
Like the 2014 debut model, this large SUV also struggled with electrical issues due to poor battery. This issue also affected other SUV features, like the QX80’s adaptive headlights.
Service Brake Problems
According to several reports, the forward emergency braking system of the QX80 has a mind of its own. While it’s a handy safety feature for emergency stops, it stops being safe if it engages without warning or road hazard. A user from Missouri City, TX, shared their scary experience:
“The 2019 qx80 forward emergency braking system (Feb) continuously engages the brakes without warning or an obstruction. always while a railroad crossing is in site, sometimes when a redlight is near but (green) with no vehicles stopped at it.”
As you might have guessed, this fault increases your chances of being rear-ended. Unfortunately, no recalls were associated with this issue, so check for this defect before buying a used 2019 Infiniti QX80.
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We looked into price, reliability, features, and more to create this list of the best used SUVs under $10k on the market today. Take a look - some of the best used SUVs have gone mostly overlooked or forgotten.
Which Infiniti QX80 Years To Buy?
Used car buyers have plenty of reliable options when it comes to the QX80 SUV. If you prefer an older model, you should look for a 2015 model year, especially if you can find a reasonably priced unit. The 2015 QX80 was one of the highest-rated large luxury SUVs of its year. Plus, it offers a strong V8 engine, comfortable ride quality, and tight handling (for a large SUV).
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