10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
94,278 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #19

May 052021

Armada

  • miles
Engine brake transmission speed failure

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #18

Aug 012022

Armada

  • miles
The brakes light comes on frequently and brakes stop working properly when going over a bump in the road decrease speed then engine fails. Has to be turned off then on to start engine.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #17

Sep 282017

Armada

  • 186,000 miles
The windows and locks and truck stop working periodically sometimes for days. Have replace the manifold/pass catylcataylic converter replacement 920$$ and was told the drivers side would soon follow at 920$ also. Ridiculous. Seatbelt stays

- Roseland, VA, USA

problem #16

Oct 292016

Armada

  • 174,000 miles
Purchased vehicle used in May 2015, my trusted mechanic checked it out September 2015 and reported back it was in good condition with no issues. July 2016 experienced break failure at 15 miles an hour. Again my mechanic troubleshooted the issues and said the power break booster needed to be replaced. He then referred me to Nissan for possible replacement since it is a safety issue. I spoke with corporate Nissan who advised me to take it to our local Nissan dealership to prove the issue existed, for any potential compensation. After taking the vehicle to Nissan they concluded reprogramming the delta stroke sensor would resolve the problem; which I had to pay $300 to have this done. On October 2016 inoperable break failure occurred again at 65 miles an hour while on the interstate, as I was approaching an exit ramp. This same issue occurred twice in one day, just a week later. Once as I left work going 40 miles an hour, my dashboard lit up with vdc and skid lights, in addition to my break failure light. The second time occurred going down a city street where I had to do a rolling stop through an intersection, dodging oncoming traffic, eventually hitting a curb to stop. After taking my vehicle back to Nissan for them to test drive (recreate) the problem, I was told that I could not drive my vehicle off the lot due to safety hazards. I have spent hours on the phone with corporate to resolve this safety issue; but yet Nissan refuses to fix the problem, or refund me my money for the failed reprogramming. This vehicle is geared towards families with children; and both my children were present in the vehicle during all failures. After searching the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website, I have found hundreds of documented cases revolving around the same safety hazard. Nissan refuses to recall this part or notify owners of the existing issue.

- Johnson City, TN, USA

problem #15

Apr 152014

Armada

  • 154,385 miles
I recently learned of the safety recall 10V-074 that described the exact situation I encountered in 2014. I was driving on expressway at 70 mph when engine died. Luckily I was able to coast over to side of road, but was between an on ramp and off ramp--very dangerous. Fuel gauge showed 1/3 of a tank. Roadside assistance added a couple gallons of gas. I was able to start and drive to dealer. No recalls were identified for my VIN at the time so I was charged nearly $1000 to replace fuel pump/sender. I am bringing this to your attention because I have so far been unsuccessful in negotiating reimbursement from Nissan. Based on the number of complaints I see on your website, I believe a non-VIN specific safety recall campaign must be initiated because this problem will most likely continue since these vehicles can last a long time--my Armada had 154,000 miles on it at that time.

- Plano, TX, USA

problem #14

Nov 182015

Armada

  • 190,000 miles
I have had numerous issues starting in 13' with the ECM being replaced after 05' Armada stalled on highway traveling 70 miles/hour in heavy traffic. Recently in early 15' I ran out of gas when fuel gauge displayed a quarter tank of gas at a red light. Also in early 15' my A/C will only work when on high. Both of these issues are known & are listed as recalls that I will be making a service appointment with my local Nissan dealer to research, correct & fix. There are numerous reports of similar & exact known issues online. Most recently in November 15' I was picking my children up from school in the rain. I was traveling home when I had to apply my breaks, but they did not perform as they should. The breaks made a spring sound, the brake peddle had little to no resistance when I applied my foot to stop & the break light came on. I had to veer off the road & ran into a fence post very lightly with minimal damage to my front chrome bumper. I turned car off & immediately checked on my two children in the back seat. We were all ok, thank god. I started Armada to find that the break light was no longer on. I hesitated to drive due to what had just happened. I was only 3 miles from home so I slowly attempted to continue home. The Armada drove perfect & the breaks functioned as they should with no issues. I googled incident to find numerous complaints & reports with similar to identical complaints/know issue reported & filed. I was blessed that my family was ok & I was able to avoid a serious potentially life threatening accident with loss of breaks one time for no reason. This was the 1st time this has happened and has not happened since. I feel this should be an immediate recall due to the severity of outcome it could cause with temporary break failure. No need for lifes to be lost or lawsuits to make it right and correct/fix issue at no cost.

- Ringgold, GA, USA

problem #13

Jul 082011

Armada 8-cyl

  • 138,000 miles
On three different occasions starting July 2011 and ending March 2015, the brakes failed after vdc/ABS/slip warning lights were illuminated on a 2005 Nissan Armada. On one of the occasions, while attempting to stop, the brake pedal was depressed to the floor with little resistance. The vehicle failed to stop causing it to go through a busy intersection and just missed being struck by a tractor trailer. Spent over $2000 in repairs and the problems persist. I no longer feel save in driving the vehicle and finally sold it at a lost.

- Circleville, NY, USA

problem #12

Jun 262014

Armada 8-cyl

  • 130,878 miles
My gas gauge is not reading properly. My gas tank is full and gas gauge is showing only half tank full and at times vice versa.

- Travelers Rest, SC, USA

problem #11

Jun 012012

Armada

  • 118,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Armada. The contact stated while driving the brake lights illuminated without warning and the brake system failed to engage. The contact had to coast onto the emergency lane. The failure was experienced numerous times. The brake system returned to normal function after the vehicle was restarted. The vehicle also experienced a failure with lost of acceleration, the air bag warning light illuminated, the drivers side door and the rear hatch door failed to lock electronically. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 118,000 and the current mileage was 129,000.

- Carencro, LA, USA

problem #10

Feb 162013

Armada 8-cyl

  • 100,001 miles
On Saturday morning at 845am at a laundry place my vehicle was parked. Next thing we hear a loud noise coming from outside the laundrymat place.. my vehicle was smoking from the hood toward the dash board and then I could not even open the door with the key or the alarm button..so a friend broke the driver window and then tried to stop the fire from spreading but was not successful..I tried to get my belongs but either. My vehicle has been maintain in good service at the Nissan dealer. I only had it for aprox 1yr nothing was wrong with my car until that day for some reason I don't know it caught on fire.. I think these vehicle need to be check out..cause maybe if my kids where inside I believe they would have some burn scars on them, because the stupid door could not be open with the or the alarm key...

- North Charleston , SC, USA

problem #9

Mar 052013

Armada

  • 124,775 miles
The incident has happened twice already once while driving and going about 35 miles per hour. The 2nd while sitting in a drive thru. While slowing down for the light, it felt as the brakes gave out. The brake pedal did not have any pressure in them and gave this loud crunching sound. Also sounded like a spring moaning. Immediately the brake light came on as if I had my emergency brakes on. I was in a panic and swerved to the side of the road not to rear end the car in front of me. This continued until after I completely turned off the car, let it sit then turned it back on. The light went off and the brakes worked as normal. The 2nd time I was in a drive thru moving forward and the brakes seem to give out. Crunching sound, brake light and only went away when I turned the Armada completely off and then on again. After researching the problem online it appears that many other people are experiencing the same problem. This Armada, my wife drives to work every day back and forth. We can't afford another car and I fear for her safety and the cars around her. Here is a link of just some of the people having the same issue. X.nissanhelp.com/forums/Armada/1852-brake-problems-2.html.

- El Mirage, AZ, USA

problem #8

Jun 102011

Armada 8-cyl

  • 143,000 miles
My brakes lock up on my 2005 Nissan Armada completely. The vehicle rattles and the front part makes a noise as if it is breaking apart. There is no warning when this is going to happen. The brake pedal locks and springs back. I turn the truck off for a few minutes and the issue goes away. Other owners are having the same issue with the brakes electrical system.

- Lawrenceville, GA, USA

problem #7

Aug 312010

Armada

  • 54,000 miles
Our Armada would intermittently not want to start or take a long time to start. Then several weeks later it died right after starting. Also the lights on the sash where going crazy (flashing and staying solid). Tried to start the truck several times with in the next hour with out any luck. Has the truck towed to Nissan dealer, where they said it was the ipdm module. Had them replace the part.

- Bend, OR, USA

problem #6

May 012010

Armada

  • 72,000 miles
We purchased a 2005 Armada with 50,000 miles on it in 2009, at that time the dealer sold it to us with the airbags system showing the warning light solid. They asked for us to take it to a nearby Nissan dealer and get the problem looked at because they were a Saab dealer. The Nissan dealer fixed the problem without notifying us of a cost. This action was a cost of $330 which I asked them to take the part out because they did not have the Saab dealers authorization. This dealership told me Nissan honored the work and warranty. We did not pay a dime. Now the same light is now flashing on the dash since 72000 miles. I still have a gold warranty on the vehicle but this restraint is not covered. If this is a common problem and causes system failure on the airbags why aren't they recalling it?

- Round Lake, IL, USA

problem #5

Feb 192010

Armada

  • 90,700 miles
My complaint is with a Nissan Armada-I was driving on the interstate in the left lane go about 70 mph and then my car just turn off without any warning--I did get off to the side of the road ok thanks god---then two days later my car would not start so I got it towed to Nissan dealership in little rock Arkansas and then had to replace ipdm(intelligent power dist. Module) thanks and have a great day-

- Little Rock, AR, USA

problem #4

Oct 072007

Armada

  • 32,152 miles
Vehicle's heater/defroster fails to operate on any given day. Since 10/7/2007 this vehicle has been in the shop 8 times for the heater/defroster issue. Nissan have replaced several parts, but it still does not operate. This is reference to ODI#10212374 dated 12/19/2007 which I never got a response. As of today 10/8/08, this is issue is still not fixed!

- Bowie, MD, USA

problem #3

May 202008

Armada

  • 56,400 miles
2005 Nissan Armada le, 56K miles multiple electrical issues resulting in loss of critical functions: Braking system, air bags, electrical power all while the vehicle is being driven. Have taken to dealership 8 times for repairs related to electrical problems. Most recently, loss of brakes occurred while traveling on a major road @ 50 mph; lost brake function when approached stop light. This has happened multiple times, I have reported it to the dealer 4 times. Each time the code is "cleared" but nothing is done. This time they are replacing the ABS booster, but from reading posts of other owners, the problem recurs. Dealer refuses to report problem to Nissan.

- Panama City Beach, FL, USA

problem #2

Mar 062008

Armada 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 27,000 miles
I was driving my '05 Nissan Armada (27,000 miles) with my 2 yr old son and smelled a strong odor, thinking it was from a truck driving next to me. I picked up my daughter, put both children in their car seats and started the ignition. Two puffs of smoke came out on either side of the engine. I quickly unbuckled my children, ran them into the school and smoke started billowing out of the engine. The fire dept was called & school was evacuated. Within 15 min, the engine area was engulfed in flames. The vehicle was a total loss. I had multiple problems with the battery. Nissan has refused to assist me in any way.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #1

Jul 042006

Armada

  • miles
While driving 65 mph on the freeway my 2005 Nissan Armada stalled. The electrical was still functional. We had enough momentum to pull over to the side of the road. It was difficult as we almost had an accident. Prior to this, the airbag warning light was flashing. We had it towed to the nearest Nissan dealer where we were told it was probably due to having no gas in our vehicle. Besides being insulted we did have a 1/4 tank of gas prior to taking it to them. We still have yet to hear from them again and the vehicle has been there for 2 days.

- Hesperia, CA, USA