Infiniti's first-generation QX60 spent years fighting a reputation problem: a CVT that shuddered, hesitated, and turned into a class-action lawsuit. For 2022, Infiniti threw the whole transmission out and started over with a conventional nine-speed automatic. NHTSA complaint data backs up the fix. The redesigned QX60 draws roughly a third as many complaints per model year as its predecessor did.
That doesn't mean the second-generation QX60 is trouble-free. It has its own list: hard cold-weather shifts that needed a software fix, a 2023 fuel pump problem serious enough to draw a stalling complaint pattern, and leather seats that owners say wrinkle within weeks of delivery. This guide covers the 2022-2026 generation, chassis code L51, and what changes from year to year within it.
Three-row luxury crossovers rarely give you a genuinely different ownership story from one generation to the next. This one does. The transmission swap alone changes what you need to inspect on a used example, and the 2026 engine swap changes it again. Treat this as two related but distinct used-car decisions: the 2022-2025 V6 and the 2026-onward turbo four.
This Generation at a Glance
Infiniti revealed the redesigned QX60 in June 2021 for the 2022 model year, built on the same Nissan D-platform architecture as the redesigned Pathfinder. The biggest change from the outgoing generation: Infiniti replaced the Jatco CVT with a ZF-built 9HP50 nine-speed automatic, the same basic transmission family used in some Jeep and Ram products. Through 2025, every QX60 used a 3.5L naturally aspirated V6. For 2026, Infiniti replaced that V6 entirely with a 2.0L VC-Turbo four-cylinder, the same variable-compression architecture found in the QX50 and QX55.
| Powertrain | Years Available | HP/TQ | Transmission | MPG (Combined) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L V6 (VQ35DD), FWD | 2022-2025 | 295 hp / 270 lb-ft | 9-speed automatic | 23 (24 for 2025) |
| 3.5L V6 (VQ35DD), AWD | 2022-2025 | 295 hp / 270 lb-ft | 9-speed automatic | 22 (24 for 2025) |
| 2.0L VC-Turbo I4, FWD/AWD | 2026-present | 268 hp / 286 lb-ft | 9-speed automatic | up to 28 |
Trim lineup ran Pure, Luxe, Sensory, and Autograph from 2022 through 2025. The 2026 refresh dropped Sensory in favor of a new Sport trim and gave the whole lineup a QX80-inspired styling update: revised grille, new LED lighting signature, and a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen running Google built-in. Because the 2026 turbo engine has only been on sale a few months, there's no independent reliability track record for it yet. This guide focuses its ownership-experience findings on the 2022-2025 V6 cars, which is what most used buyers shopping this generation will actually find on a lot.
Interior dimensions carried over largely unchanged through the generation: three rows, seating for up to seven or eight depending on second-row configuration (bench or captain's chairs), and a third row that's usable for kids or shorter adults on trips rather than just a badge feature. Towing capacity rose to 6,000 pounds on V6 models, a real number if you're planning to pull a small trailer or boat, not just a spec-sheet figure. Every V6-era QX60 requires premium gasoline, which matters when you're budgeting running costs against a competitor that runs on regular.
See CarScout's Infiniti QX60 market data for current listings and pricing across the generation.
Powertrain & Trim Breakdown
The 3.5L V6 / 9-Speed Automatic (2022-2025)
This is the powertrain nearly every used QX60 from this generation will have. The VQ35DD 3.5L V6 makes 295 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque, and it's a known quantity: Nissan and Infiniti have used variations of this engine family for two decades. Owners on the Infiniti QX60 Forum generally report it as the most trouble-free part of the car. The real story is the transmission it's paired with.
The 9-speed replaced a CVT that owners hated, and forum sentiment reflects it. A 2013-2020 lawsuit over shuddering, hesitating CVTs in the Pathfinder and QX60 pushed Infiniti to abandon the design entirely for this generation. The ZF 9HP50 uses real gears and clutch packs instead of a steel belt, and multiple owners on infinitiqx60.org describe it as a meaningful improvement after 12,000+ miles of ownership.
That doesn't mean it launched clean. Early 2022 build cars developed a hard "thunk" on the cold first-to-second gear shift, enough that some owners reported it happening on roughly 70% of cold starts. Infiniti's fix was TSB ITB22-026, a transmission control module reflash that adjusted shift timing and line pressure during warm-up. By 2023, a second pattern emerged: light vibration while holding top gear on highway grades, addressed by TSB ITB25-002, which reprogrammed the ECM and TCM to shift earlier and reduce time spent in the "lug zone." Ask any seller whether these updates were applied; a dealer service history should show them.
A 2023-specific fuel pump problem is worth checking for directly. Owner reports on the QX60 forum and in NHTSA complaint data describe stalling, rough idle, and difficulty restarting, tied to fuel pressure codes P0087 (fuel rail pressure too low) and P0090 (fuel pressure regulator control circuit). As of this writing, Infiniti has investigated but not issued a formal recall for it. If you're looking at a 2023 model, ask directly whether the fuel pump has ever been replaced and watch for any stumble or hesitation during your test drive, especially under hard acceleration.
AWD is badged "Intelligent AWD" and adds real capability with a mild highway tradeoff. Road testers consistently praise the QX60's ride comfort on rough pavement, but note the AWD system feels less planted than some rivals in wet highway conditions, and cabin noise at speed is more noticeable than in the related but cheaper Pathfinder.
The 2.0L VC-Turbo Four-Cylinder (2026-present)
Infiniti dropped the V6 for 2026 in favor of the same variable-compression 2.0L turbo four used in the QX50 and QX55. It's rated at 268 hp and 286 lb-ft, a slight horsepower drop from the V6 but a torque gain, with combined fuel economy climbing to as much as 28 mpg. Worth knowing: 2019-2022 QX50s with this same VC-Turbo architecture were recalled for a connecting-rod bearing defect that could cause the engine to seize, a defect Infiniti says it corrected in manufacturing before later production. The 2026 QX60 engine is a newer-production unit built after that fix, and there's no reported issue specific to it. Because the 2026 QX60 has only been in dealers a matter of months, treat any reliability claim about it, positive or negative, as unproven until real ownership data accumulates. If you're buying one now, you're buying on brand reputation and warranty coverage, not a track record.
Infotainment, Interior, and Known Quirks Across the Generation
A handful of issues show up across trims and years rather than tracking to one powertrain:
The 12.3-inch touchscreen is prone to resolution loss and freezing, especially on short trips. Owners describe the picture degrading or the screen going black mid-drive, usually resolved with a soft reset (hold the volume button roughly 10 seconds) or, if persistent, a dealer software update or infotainment control unit swap under TSB guidance.
Leather seat quality complaints are widespread and start early. Multiple threads on the QX60 forum describe visible wrinkling, waviness, or stretching in the driver's seat bolster within 250 to 1,000 miles of ownership, in some cases within three weeks. Infiniti's standard response has been to classify it as normal wear, which owners dispute given how quickly it appears. Inspect the driver's seat bolster closely on any used example, since this is a cosmetic issue that won't show up in a mechanical inspection.
Moonroof and sunroof complaints include leaks and thermal-stress cracking. Check the headliner above the sunroof for water staining, a sign of a seal that's already failed.
Second-row seats account for two of this generation's four recalls, and they're worth understanding rather than treating as a checkbox. The 2022 recall (22V111000) covers a second-row seat track that could ship missing a mounting bolt, a real crash-safety issue since the bolt is part of the seat's anchorage to the floor. The 2023 recall (23V108000) is different: the second-row adjustable seat could travel past its intended rear stop point and become difficult to move or fail to lock. Neither is a wear item that develops over time. Both are manufacturing defects that either were or weren't caught and fixed at a dealer, which is exactly why confirming recall completion status matters more here than "the seats feel fine when I sit in them."
Rear climate control has a documented, if minor, quirk. Owners describe the rear vents blowing stronger and noisier air than expected in Auto mode during cold weather, requiring a manual switch to a lower fan setting. Dealers have generally told owners this is normal operation rather than a defect, and there's no TSB tied to it. Worth knowing about before you assume something's broken.
Trim Levels
| Trim | Key Equipment | What to Pay Extra For |
|---|---|---|
| Pure | Cloth-look synthetic leather, heated front seats, wireless charging | Skip unless budget is the only priority |
| Luxe | Ventilated front seats, heated rear outboard seats, ProPILOT Assist | The sweet spot for most buyers |
| Sensory (2022-2025) | Quilted leather, larger wheels, Bose audio, panoramic moonroof | Worth it if you want the moonroof and better stereo |
| Sport (2026+) | Sport-tuned suspension, unique exterior trim, standard AWD | Too new for used pricing to reflect a real discount yet |
| Autograph | Semi-aniline leather, massaging front seats, 20-speaker Klipsch audio, unique two-tone interior | Only if you specifically want the top-shelf cabin; mechanically identical to Luxe |
Luxe is the trim most QX60 shoppers should target used. It carries the safety and driver-assist equipment that matters day to day (ProPILOT Assist, ventilated seats) without paying for design flourishes that don't affect how the car drives or holds up. Sensory adds real value if you'll use the panoramic moonroof and better speakers, but remember the moonroof is also one of the generation's documented leak points, so a PPI should include a headliner check specifically on Sensory and Autograph examples. Autograph's massaging seats and Klipsch system are genuinely nice, but you're paying a premium for materials and audio, not mechanicals.
Pure is easy to skip on the used market specifically because so few buyers ordered it new. Dealers and private sellers alike carried thin Pure inventory relative to Luxe and Sensory, which means used Pure examples don't always show a meaningful price discount over a better-equipped Luxe with similar mileage. Compare actual listed prices in your area before assuming the base trim saves real money. On 2026-and-newer Sport trim examples, remember you're buying into the unproven turbo-four powertrain along with the sportier suspension tune, so weigh that tradeoff the same way you'd weigh any first-model-year purchase.
Which Model Years to Target Within This Gen
| Year | NHTSA Complaints | Key Changes | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 22 | Launch year; 9-speed replaces CVT; two seat-related recalls | Caution |
| 2023 | 27 | Fuel pump complaint pattern; driver's seat weld recall; worst complaint year | Caution |
| 2024 | 16 | Headlight recall remedy rolled out; complaint count drops by more than 40% | Good |
| 2025 | 14 | Cleanest complaint record of the generation; fuel economy improves to 24 mpg combined | Best value |
| 2026 | Too new for data | New turbo four, new Sport trim, QX80-inspired styling refresh | Unproven, buy on warranty not track record |
2022 and 2023 carry this generation's real growing pains: both years are covered by the seat-track and seat-weld recalls, and 2023 specifically shows the fuel pump complaint cluster on top of the highest total complaint count of the generation. 2024 is where things visibly settle down. The headlight-adjustment recall was issued and remedied, complaints drop by nearly half from 2023, and the transmission software fixes from ITB22-026 and ITB25-002 were baked in from the factory rather than needing a dealer visit. 2025 posts the lowest complaint count of the generation and comes with a genuine EPA fuel economy bump, making it the strongest all-around used pick if your budget stretches that far. 2026 is a different car mechanically (new engine, new trim structure) and has no used-market track record yet; buy one now on Infiniti's warranty, not on any claim about how it holds up.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
This generation's issues concentrate in three places: the transmission's cold-start behavior, the fuel system on 2023 models, and interior wear. Work through all three on any used example.
Transmission and fuel system:
- Start the QX60 cold if at all possible. Confirm the 1-2 upshift is smooth, not a hard thunk. Ask the seller directly whether TSB ITB22-026 (transmission reflash) has been applied.
- On the highway or a stretch of open road, hold a light throttle in top gear on a slight grade and feel for vibration. If present, ask whether TSB ITB25-002 has been done.
- On any 2023 model, ask specifically whether the fuel pump has been replaced. During your test drive, pay attention to hesitation or stumbling under hard acceleration, and have a scan tool check for stored codes P0087 or P0090 even if the check engine light isn't currently on.
Interior:
- Inspect the driver's seat bolster and cushion closely for waviness, creasing, or stretching. This is a cosmetic issue but a real one on this generation, and it won't turn up on a standard mechanical inspection.
- On Sensory and Autograph trims with the panoramic moonroof, check the headliner directly above the glass for water staining, a sign of a failed seal.
- Cycle the touchscreen through a full startup and confirm it doesn't freeze, lose resolution, or go black. Try this after the car has been off for a few hours, since some owners report the issue is worse on short trips right after startup.
Recalls:
- Run the VIN through the CarScout recall lookup tool and confirm all four recalls that touch this generation have been completed: 22V111000 (second-row seat track bolt, 2022), 23V108000 (second-row seat position, 2023), 23V268000 (driver's seat weld, 2023, shared with Rogue and Pathfinder), and 23V814000 (headlight adjustment, 2022-2024).
Running Costs
| Powertrain | Combined MPG | Key Maintenance Items | Est. Annual Repair Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L V6, FWD | 23 (24 for 2025) | Standard V6 service intervals; no unusual wear items reported | ~$640 |
| 3.5L V6, AWD | 22 (24 for 2025) | Same as FWD, plus periodic transfer case fluid service | ~$640-700 |
| 2.0L VC-Turbo I4 | up to 28 | Turbo-specific service (oil quality, intervals) not yet established by real-world use | Unknown, too new |
Average annual repair cost across the generation runs around $640, well under the roughly $1,127 average for full-size luxury SUVs as a class, according to cost-tracking data cited by ownership-cost outlets. That figure reflects the V6 cars; there isn't yet enough real-world data on the 2026 turbo four to say whether it holds to the same pattern. Fuel economy is a genuine strength relative to some three-row luxury rivals with V6 or V8 engines, and the 2025 model year's bump to 24 mpg combined on both FWD and AWD is a real, EPA-confirmed improvement worth asking about if you're cross-shopping 2024 versus 2025 examples.
Budget for premium fuel across every V6-era model year; it's required, not recommended, and it's a real monthly cost difference against competitors that run on regular. Maintenance intervals follow Infiniti's standard schedule: oil changes roughly every 5,000 to 7,500 miles depending on driving conditions, transmission fluid service at longer intervals that a dealer or independent shop can confirm from your specific VIN's maintenance minder. Because the ZF 9-speed is still relatively new to this platform, stick to the factory-recommended fluid and interval rather than assuming CVT-era maintenance habits apply. Because the QX60 shares its platform, engine, and transmission with the Nissan Pathfinder, parts availability and independent-shop familiarity are both better than you'd get with a similarly priced European three-row SUV.
FAQ
Is the 2022-2025 Infiniti QX60 V6 reliable? Yes, relative to the CVT-equipped first generation. NHTSA complaint counts run well below the outgoing model, and the V6 itself has a long reliability record. The main risks are a 2023 fuel pump issue and early-production transmission calibration problems, both addressable with software fixes or, in the fuel pump's case, direct inspection.
What year QX60 should I avoid? 2023 carries the highest NHTSA complaint count of the generation and is the model year most associated with the fuel pump stalling pattern. It's not a car to avoid outright, but budget for a thorough PPI and confirm the fuel pump history before buying one.
How many miles does a 2nd-gen QX60 last? There's not yet enough high-mileage data on this generation specifically to cite a number with confidence, since the oldest examples are only entering their fifth year. The VQ35DD V6 and ZF 9-speed are both used in other Nissan and Infiniti products with track records well past 150,000 miles when maintained on schedule.
Is Intelligent AWD worth it on a used QX60? It's worth it if you regularly drive in snow or on unpaved roads; road testers note real traction benefit. If your driving is mostly dry pavement, FWD delivers slightly better fuel economy and one less system to maintain, with no meaningful drawback.
Does the 2026 QX60's new turbo engine have the same problems as the QX50's VC-Turbo? The QX50's connecting-rod bearing recall covered 2019-2022 production before Infiniti corrected the manufacturing defect. The 2026 QX60 uses a later-production version of that same engine family, and there's no reported version of that specific issue on it. It simply hasn't been on sale long enough to have a real track record either way.
Bottom Line
The 2024 or 2025 model year, V6, in Luxe trim, is the strongest used buy in this generation: past the fuel pump and transmission calibration issues that marked 2022 and 2023, still running the well-understood 3.5L V6 rather than the unproven 2026 turbo four. Whatever year you land on, confirm all four recalls are closed and check the driver's seat bolster and moonroof seal in person before you sign anything. Run the VIN through a recall check first. CarScout members can track price drops on specific QX60 trims and model years at usecarscout.com.
Data sourced from NHTSA recalls and complaint databases, EPA fuel economy ratings, and real owner experiences from the Infiniti QX60 Forum (infinitiqx60.org), CarComplaints.com, RepairPal, and TrueDelta. See the full Infiniti QX60 market data for pricing and inventory.