DecodedCars2011 Infiniti M56
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2011 models.
- Class
- Midsize Cars
- Body styles
- 4dr Sedan M56x AWD/M56 Sport
- Engines
- 5.6L 8-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 19 combined · 16 city / 25 hwy
- Length
- 194.9 in
- Curb weight
- 4,147 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 2 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 19 MPG combined, 18% below the 2011 midsize car average of 23.2 MPG.
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 25 similar 2011 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2011 Infiniti M56 is a midsize car offered with a 5.6L 8-cyl engine and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 195 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 114-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,147 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 19 MPG combined (16 city / 25 highway), 18% worse than the 2011 midsize car average of 23.2 MPG, for an estimated $4,350 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the power train.
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Sedan M56x AWD/M56 Sport | 194.9 in | 72.8 in | 59.1 in | 114.2 in | 62.2 / 61.8 in | 4,147 lb | 54/46 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M56 | 5.6L 8-cyl | Automatic (S7) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 25 / 19 | -18% | $4,350 | 468 |
| M56x | 5.6L 8-cyl | Automatic (S7) | All-Wheel Drive | 16 / 23 / 18 | -22% | $4,550 | 494 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2011 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2011 Infiniti M56.
Similar 2011 midsize cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 Infiniti M56 (this car) | 19 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2011 BMW 5 Series | 25 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class | 20 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2011 Audi A6 | 24 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2011 Lexus LS | 20 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2011 Jaguar XJ | 19 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2011 Lexus GS | 23 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
Recalls (2)
Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft · Jun 21, 2024
NHTSA campaign 24V470000 · 7,222 vehicles
- Problem
- Nissan North America, Inc. (INFINITI) is recalling certain 2011-2013 M56, 2012-2013 M35 Hybrid, 2014-2018 Q50, Q70 Hybrid, 2014-2019 Q70, and 2015-2019 Q70L two-wheel drive vehicles. The driveshaft can fatigue and break.
- Risk
- A broken driveshaft can result in a loss of drive power, or a vehicle roll away when the vehicle is in park without the parking brake applied. Both scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the driveshaft, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 13, 2024. Owners may contact INFINITI's customer service at 1-800-662-6200. INFINITI's numbers for this recall are R24A5 and R24A7.
Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft · Dec 7, 2020
NHTSA campaign 20V755000 · 2,708 vehicles
- Problem
- Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Infiniti M56, 2012-2013 M35 Hybrid, and 2014 Q70 and Q70 Hybrid vehicles. These models, equipped with 2WD and with a hybrid or VK56 powertrain, have a driveshaft that may break.
- Risk
- A broken driveshaft can cause a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash, or may disable the parking brake, increasing the risk of a rollaway and injury.
- Fix
- Infiniti will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began February 5, 2021. Owners may contact Infiniti customer service at 1-800-662-6200.
Not every 2011 Infiniti M56 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2011 Infiniti M56 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Power Train — 5 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Engine — 3 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Air Bags — 2 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 84,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2011 Infiniti M56. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other M56 years
Compare all years →Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Infiniti. How we calculate this →