Why does my 2011–2013 Infiniti QX56 whine when I start it cold?

Short answer: On the 2011–2013 QX56, a high-pitched whine at startup that rises with RPM is a well-known sign of a timing chain problem. Infiniti issued a bulletin for it and later ran a voluntary service campaign to replace the chains, guides and crank sprockets for free on affected trucks. Owners who waited had limp mode, misfires or a no-start. Call an Infiniti dealer with your VIN now.

Symptom: A whine like a small turbine or a remote-control car on cold mornings, louder near the passenger side front of the engine, that may fade as it warms up; later a flashing check engine light, misfire, sluggish power or a no-start.

What to check first

1. Call an Infiniti dealer with your VIN and ask whether the timing chain service campaign was done on your truck.
2. Record the noise on a cold start. It helps the dealer match it to the bulletin.
3. Check the oil level and service history. Infiniti's bulletin repair includes an oil jet (a small nozzle that sprays oil on the chain), so low or old oil makes things worse.
4. Don't wait for a check engine light. One owner's truck went into limp mode at 80,000 miles because pieces of the chain had come off.

Likely causes

1. Worn timing chain and guides on the Bank 2 side. Infiniti's bulletin describes a whine from the Bank 2 timing chain area that rises with RPM.
2. Oil jet problem starving the chain of oil. The bulletin repair replaces the Bank 2 oil jet along with both chains.
3. Belt or pulley noise. Rule it out, but don't assume it.

What it usually costs

Owners out of warranty reported paying about $2,000, about $3,500 and a quote of about $4,000. Under the Infiniti service campaign, the repair on affected trucks was free. Prices are from owner posts.

Is it safe to keep driving?

Get it looked at soon. Owners went from a whine to misfires and limp mode, and a chain that breaks can wreck the engine. Avoid long trips until it's checked. Verify with a mechanic.

DIY or shop?

Shop. This is a big job (one owner was told about 16 hours) that needs special tools for the oil jet.

Recalls, bulletins and complaints in plain words

• Service bulletin: Infiniti's bulletin for the 2011–2013 QX56 and M56 says if a whine comes from the Bank 2 timing chain area and rises with RPM, replace the Bank 2 oil jet, both timing chains, both crank sprockets and the guides (bulletin PDF). A bulletin tells dealers how to fix a known problem; it isn't automatically free.
• Free service campaign: Infiniti ran a voluntary service campaign, activated May 6, 2016, for 45,107 model year 2011–2013 QX56 and M56 vehicles to replace the timing chain, guides and crankshaft sprocket at no charge for parts or labor (campaign notice). Ask a dealer whether your VIN is covered and whether it's already been done.
• Recalls: NHTSA lists no recall for the timing chain on the Infiniti QX56 for these model years (checked 2026-10-23). Other recalls may exist for your car, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If your car is part of a recall, the dealer fixes it for free.
• NHTSA complaints: 33 keyword-matched complaints for Infiniti QX56 2011–2013 (of 91 unique complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-10-23; keywords: timing chain, whine, engine noise or failure) (NHTSA returned no complaint data for 1 model-year queries). This counts complaints that mention these words. It is not a defect finding.

What owners report

• In the long-running QX56 new motor, timing chains, etc thread on Infiniti Forum, owners described the cold-start whine and a flashing check engine light with misfires, and one said the repair was covered by an extended warranty.
• On page 2 of that thread, owners compared notes on the timing chain repair, which one was told takes about 16 hours of labor.
• On page 12, owners reported paying about $2,000 and $3,500, a quote of about $4,000, and one at 80,000 miles whose truck wouldn't rev past about 1,500 RPM because pieces of the chain had started to come off.

Quick tip

If you hear this whine, don't wait. Call the dealer with your VIN first. The free campaign may already cover it.

Vehicle focus: 2011–2013 Infiniti QX56 (Z62) with the 5.6L V8. The same issue and campaign cover the 2011–2013 M56.

Safety / mechanic note

A failing timing chain can cause sudden loss of power and serious engine damage. Verify with a mechanic.