There are 3 owner-reported powertrain & transmission complaints for the 2015 Infiniti QX80in NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
The contact owns a 2015 Infiniti QX80. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving approximately 20-25 MPH, the vehicle lost power, the engine revved abnormally, and the transmission failed to shift as intended. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer; however, the cause of the failure was not duplicated. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
The most glaring safety issue caused by below is the SUV will try to move forward on its own while stopped and the brakes pressed that can potentially cause a fender bender. Infiniti/Nissan 5.6L engines have a history of failed or failing viscous cooling fan clutches. This goes back over a decade based on the TSG released by NISMO. When the viscous fan begins to fail, the most glaring symptom is that ECM will compensate by revving up the engine RPM...specially with the AC on. This can cause the RPM to go from around 500 to 1000 RPM during an RPM surge. The surge is enough to move the SUV forward at a stop unless the brake is firmly pressed. On hot weather days, this risk is frequent and significant at a top. This viscous fan issue also puts signficant load on the engine and causes significant power loss to the drive train. This issue does not cause any type of "check engine" light since it is strictly a mechanical failure of the mechanism containing the fluids in the viscous assembly.
THIS VEHICLE HAS AN ISSUE WITH UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION WHEN I FIRST TAKE OFF. WITH MY BRAKE PEDAL APPLIED THE ENGINE RPM IS APPROX. 550, WHICH IS IN SPECS. AS SOON AS I RELEASE THE BRAKES THE RPM JUMPS TO 1100 RPM AND THE VEHICLE TAKES OFF ON IT'S ON. MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER TWICE FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THEY SAY THEY CAN'T HELP ME, MY FIRST EXPERIENCE I ALMOST REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THIS AN ISSUE THAT NEEDS ADDRESSED. STREET CONDITIONS, WEATHER CONDITIONS DON'T MAKE A DIFFERENCE, AND HAS DONE IT SINCE I PURCHASED IT.
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026