Infiniti common problems
Nissan-based luxury — strong VQ engines, with a few known items to watch.
Infiniti is Nissan's luxury brand and shares its engines and platforms. The well-regarded VQ V6 is a strong engine, but Infiniti inherits some of Nissan's known items, and the luxury features add their own.
Here's what we see on Infinitis.
Reliability: good, tied to Nissan's engines and (on some models) the CVT.
Common Infiniti problems
The faults we actually see on Infiniti vehicles in the shop — what causes them, and why they matter.
VQ engine oil consumption / timing chain
The VQ V6 is a good engine but can consume oil and develop timing-chain rattle with age. Monitor the oil level and diagnose a start-up rattle early.
CVT on some models
Models that use a CVT share Nissan's concerns — have it assessed on a used example and keep the fluid serviced.
Dashboard bubbling (older models)
Some older Infinitis had dashboards that bubble or crack in sun and heat — a cosmetic but known issue.
Brakes and electronics
Brakes wear quickly on the heavier performance models, and luxury electronics add complexity with age.
When to get your Infiniti looked at
Catch these early and most are routine. Leave them, and they turn into the expensive repairs — so if you notice any of these, book a look.
Buying or owning a Infiniti
- Monitor oil on VQ engines and diagnose any timing-chain rattle early.
- On CVT models, get the transmission assessed before buying and service the fluid.
- Expect quicker brake wear on the sportier models.
- Factor in luxury-electronics complexity on older cars.
On repair costs
Running costs sit in the affordable-luxury range, but the VQ's oil and timing-chain items, plus the CVT on models that use one, are what can get expensive if ignored. Brakes on the sportier Infinitis are a recurring cost too.
What our winters and roads do to a Infiniti
Infiniti shares Nissan's engines and, on some models, the CVT, so the Calgary advice mirrors Nissan's: service the CVT fluid, watch the VQ engine's oil, and expect the cold and salt to drive normal wear. The heavier performance models go through brakes and tires faster, especially on winter roads.
We're an independent shop in Calgary SE that services every make — with factory-level diagnostics, honest written estimates, and advice on what's urgent versus what can wait.
Book a serviceDiagnosed right, fixed once
Proper diagnostics
We find the real cause rather than guessing — so you fix the problem once, not the symptom.
Pre-purchase inspection
Buying a used Infiniti? We check it over and flag the known weak points before you commit.
Free VIN check
Decode the vehicle and get its recall and safety record before you buy.
In the deep south, easy to reach
We're at Unit 615, 12445 Lake Fraser Dr SE, Calgary, at Avenida Village on Macleod Trail — minutes from the SE communities we look after.
Infiniti problems — FAQ
Are Infiniti and Nissan the same mechanically?
Largely — Infiniti is Nissan's luxury brand and shares engines and platforms. That means the strong VQ V6, but also some of Nissan's known items, including the CVT on models that use one.
Is the VQ engine reliable?
It's a well-regarded engine. The things to watch are oil consumption and timing-chain rattle as it ages — both manageable if you monitor the oil and address a rattle early.
Should I worry about the CVT in an Infiniti?
On models that use one, the same advice as Nissan applies: get it assessed on a used car, keep the fluid serviced, and avoid heavy towing. Not every Infiniti uses a CVT.