Reliability
Nissan

Armada (WA60)

2004-2015 · Full-Size SUV · 2 engines
1,523 NHTSA Complaints
17 Recalls
27 Fire Reports
53 Crash Reports
View all 2 generations of the Nissan Armada → Inspection checklist

Reliability Score

6.7 / 10

Reliability score

About as many owner complaints as similar full-size SUVs

The class average is 7.0. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Owners filed 336 powertrain complaints. A typical full-size SUV fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 298.

Scores this low have often eased: the three years after looked about 0.8 points better in the typical case.

Complaints have eased since 2023.

Breakdown
Complaints overall336 complaints against about 298 for similar vehicles
6.7
Last three years
n/aNot enough data
Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced23 complaints against about 61 for similar vehicles
8.9
Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating
n/aNot enough data

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is the class average. A line needs 20 expected complaints to show a number.

By model year
  • 20045.3
  • 20053.8
  • 20067.2
  • 20077.6
  • 20087.9
  • 20097.4
  • 20108.0
  • 20118.4
  • 20128.8
  • 20138.7
  • 20148.7
  • 20159.3

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

On the record · from NHTSA's files, not reviewed by hand

Recall10V517
Engine And Engine Cooling · 104,772 vehicles (38% of those built)

Complaints by Engine Code

VK56DE

5.6L 8-cyl
908 complaints 151.3 per year Gasoline
16 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

brakes
586
fuel system
113
electrical
86
engine
81
safety systems
72

Nissan Armada Unidentified Engine

615 complaints 51.2 per year
11 fire reports 2 fatalities
View details

Complaint Breakdown

brakes
285
body
74
electrical
71
safety systems
54
fuel system
50

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Nissan Armada, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Brakes: 871 owner complaints
Fuel System: 163 owner complaints
Electrical System: 157 owner complaints
Safety Systems: 126 owner complaints
Engine: 124 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2004-2015 Nissan Armada

On a used 2004-2015 Nissan Armada, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the brakes (871), the fuel system (163) and the electrical system (157). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

  1. On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 871 owner complaints on the 2004-2015 Nissan Armada about the brakes.
  2. Let the engine idle for five minutes, walk around the car and smell for fuel.Safety. NHTSA has 163 owner complaints on the 2004-2015 Nissan Armada about the fuel system.
  3. Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 157 owner complaints on the 2004-2015 Nissan Armada about the electrical system.
  4. Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 126 owner complaints on the 2004-2015 Nissan Armada about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
  5. Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 124 owner complaints on the 2004-2015 Nissan Armada about the engine.
Open the full inspection checklist for the 2004-2015 Nissan Armada

Recalls (17)

23V067000Feb 10, 2023serious
Air Bags

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2008-2011 Titan, Frontier, Xterra, Pathfinder, Armada, and 2008-2009 Quest vehicles. The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may develop cracks and detach during air bag deployment.

20V188000Mar 30, 2020critical
Air Bags

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2012-2017 NV Cargo and NV Passenger Van, 2013-2015 Titan and Armada and 2011-2012 Infiniti QX56 vehicles. Due to a manufacturing issue, the air bag inflator may not function properly or may rupture during deployment.

15V501000Aug 10, 2015serious
Seat Belts

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2015 Nissan Armada vehicles manufactured April 30, 2015, to June 5, 2015. The affected vehicles may have been built with driver or front passenger seat belt assemblies that may not properly latch or that may not unlatch when the release button is pressed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection" and number 209, " Seat Belt Assemblies."

14V803000Dec 19, 2014serious
Powertrain

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2015 Nissan Armada vehicles manufactured September 15, 2014, to October 14, 2014. Due to interference between the parking rod and the transmission housing, the parking pawl may not fully engage.

13V451000Sep 18, 2013serious
Service Brakes

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013 Titan and Armada vehicles manufactured February 22, 2013, through May 3, 2013. The affected vehicles have a brake master cylinder which may intermittently reduce the pressure supplied to the front brakes.

Show 12 older recalls
12V143000Apr 4, 2012serious
Equipment

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 TITAN AND ARMADA VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 12, 2011, THROUGH MARCH 13, 2012. THE PART 567 CERTIFICATION LABELS ON THE VEHICLES DO NOT CONTAIN RIM SIZE INFORMATION. THUS, THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, “TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS.”

10V517000Oct 28, 2010serious
Engine & Cooling

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 ARMADA, TITAN, INFINITI QX56 AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 FRONTIER, PATHFINDER AND XTERRA VEHICLES. THE INTELLIGENT POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULE (IPDM) ASSEMBLY CONTAINS AN ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) RELAY THAT HAS A DIODE FOR ELECTRICAL CURRENT NOISE REDUCTION. THE ECM RELAY MAY ALLOW SILICON VAPOR TO FORM AND, OVER TIME, THE SILICON EVAPORATES FROM THE DIODE MOLDING WHICH CAUSES SILICON OXIDE TO DEVELOP ON THE ECM RELAY CONTACT DUE TO ARCING.

10V371000Aug 9, 2010serious
Seats

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 NISSAN ARMADA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 7, 2010 THROUGH JUNE 11, 2010. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS." THE SECOND ROW CENTER SEAT HINGE ASSEMBLY WAS MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFICATION. THIS MAY PREVENT THE REAR CENTER SEATBACK FROM FULLY LOCKING IN THE IN-USE (UPRIGHT) POSITION.

10V349000Jul 22, 2010serious
Air Bags

NISSAN IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2008 NISSAN ARMADA AND INFINITI QX56 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 7, 2007 THROUGH FEBRUARY 14, 2007. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION A-PILLAR FINISHER MIGHT IMPEDE THE CORRECT INFLATION OF THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG NEAR THE UPPER PORTION OF THE B-PILLAR.

10E019000May 20, 2010serious
Suspension

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT AND REAR LOWER LINKS, P/NOS. 54501ZQ00A, 54500ZQ00A, 551A1ZQ00A, 551A0ZQ00A , 54501EA00A, 54500EA00A, 551A1EA500, 551A0EA500, 54501ZR00A, AND 54500ZR00A, SOLD BETWEEN NOVEMBER 25, 2009 AND MAY 14, 2010 AS REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2010 TITAN, ARMADA, AND QX56, AND MODEL YEARS 2005 THROUGH 2010 FRONTIER, XTERRA, AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL LINK ASSEMBLY HAS TWO CYLINDRICAL COLLARS FORMING THE INBOARD ATTACHMENT POINTS TO THE CHASSIS. DUE TO AN IMPROPER WELDING PROCESS SOME COLLARS MAY CONTAIN WELDS THAT DO NOT MEET STRENGTH SPECIFICATIONS.

10V208000May 14, 2010serious
Suspension

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 TITAN, ARMADA, QX56, FRONTIER, XTERRA, AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 19, 2009 THROUGH MARCH 3, 2010. THE LOWER CONTROL LINK ASSEMBLY HAS TWO CYLINDRICAL COLLARS FORMING THE INBOARD ATTACHMENT POINTS TO THE CHASSIS. DUE TO AN IMPROPER WELDING PROCESS SOME COLLARS MAY CONTAIN WELDS THAT DO NOT MEET STRENGTH SPECIFICATIONS.

10V074000Mar 3, 2010serious
Fuel System, Other

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2009 TITAN, ARMADA, AND INFINITI QX56 VEHICLES. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FUEL GAUGE MAY INACCURATELY DISPLAY THAT THE VEHICLE STILL HAS SOME FUEL, TYPICALLY ABOUT ONE QUARTER TANK, WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS EMPTY.

10V072000Mar 2, 2010serious
Service Brakes

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 TITAN, ARMADA, AND INFINITI QX56, AND MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 NISSAN QUEST VEHICLES. THE BRAKE PEDAL PIVOT PIN END WAS NOT SPIN-FORMED TO SPECIFICATION DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS OF THE BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY. THE PIVOT PIN COULD SLIDE AND CAUSE THE BRAKE PEDAL TO PARTIALLY DISENGAGE FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL BRACKET.

08V284000Jun 27, 2008serious
Equipment

NISSAN IS RECALLING 180,664 MY 2005-2006 TITAN, ARMADA AND INFINITY QX56 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED AFTER MARCH 17, 2005, THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH A VISTEON AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER FAN MOTOR. THE FAN MOTOR MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SEALED ALLOWING EXCESSIVE WATER INTRUSION AND INADEQUATE DRAINAGE OF MOISTURE.

08V187000Apr 24, 2008serious
Seats

NISSAN IS RECALLING 1,126 MY 2008 QUEST, TITAN AND ARMADA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL ADJUSTMENT FRONT SEATS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS." THE SEAT TRACK ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFICATION.

07V449000Sep 25, 2007serious
Seat Belts

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, 'SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES.' THE DRIVER'S SIDE THIRD ROW SEAT BELT UPPER ANCHOR BRACKET MAY BE CRACKED.

07E046000Jul 3, 2007serious
Equipment

CERTAIN HOPKINS AFTERMARKET TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL CONNECTION HARNESSES SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN MODELS OF NISSAN VEHICLES WHICH ARE LISTED ABOVE. THE INTERNAL PART NUMBERS WITHIN HOPKINS ARE: 1010476025, 1040376025, 1110476025, 1170376025, 1290376025, 1010476035, 1040376035, 1110476035, 1170376035, AND 1290376035. A WIRE MAY HAVE BEEN PLACED IN AN INCORRECT POSITION IN THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR HOUSING. THIS RESULTS IN AN INCORRECT ROUTING OF WIRES BETWEEN THE TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER AND THE TOWING VEHICLE WIRING SYSTEM.

NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings

Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
3/5 (21.2% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
3/5 (21.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
3/5 (21.2% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
3/5 (21.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
3/5 (21.2% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
3/5 (21.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
3/5 (21.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
3/5 (21.2% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
3/5 (21.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
3/5 (21.2% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
3/5 (21.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
3/5 (21.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
3/5 (21.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
3/5 (21.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
3/5 (21.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No

Alternatives in Full-Size SUV

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2004-2015 Nissan Armada complaints?

Owners have filed 1,523 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004-2015 Nissan Armada. The systems they name most often are the brakes, the fuel system and the electrical system.

Is the 2004-2015 Nissan Armada a good used car?

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 1,523 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004-2015 Nissan Armada. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2004-2015 Nissan Armada have?

NHTSA has 1,523 owner complaints on file for the 2004-2015 Nissan Armada as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2004-2015 Nissan Armada?

NHTSA lists 17 recalls covering some 2004-2015 Nissan Armada vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used Nissan Armada?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the brakes, the fuel system and the electrical system, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Armada?

The 2015 Nissan Armada received an overall N/A-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: N/A stars. Side crash: N/A stars. Rollover: 3 stars (21.2% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: No. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 1,523 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.

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