2005 Nissan Armada

Above average

Owners filed 373 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes. It has been recalled 5 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
80,000 milesMedian miles at failure

337 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 120,000150,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes102
411
Service Brakes, Hydraulic67
000
Fuel/Propulsion System32
000
Air Bags27
100
Fuel System, Gasoline21
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor11
000
Engine and Engine Cooling11
000
Electrical System11
020
Service Brakes, Electric9
000
Fuel System, Other › Storage › Fuel Gauge System6
000

5 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Engine and Engine Cooling10V517000
Filed Oct 28, 2010747,480 vehiclesNissan North America, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Risk. THIS COULD CAUSE ENGINE STALLING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ECM RELAY INSIDE THE IPDM ASSEMBLY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 6, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Arm10E019000
Filed May 20, 20101,873 vehiclesNissan North America, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Risk. IF THE COLLAR WELD SEPARATES, THE VEHICLE HANDLING WILL DETERIORATE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY AFFECTED LOWER LINK FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Fuel System, Other › Storage › Fuel Gauge System10V074000
Filed Mar 3, 2010340,000 vehiclesNissan North America, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Risk. THIS COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF GAS AND STALL ON THE HIGHWAY, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL SENDER UNIT INSIDE THE FUEL TANK WITH A NEW IMPROVED SENDER CARD. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 22, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner08V284000
Filed Jun 27, 2008180,664 vehiclesNissan North America, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Risk. THIS COULD CAUSE CORROSION IN THE MOTOR LEADING POSSIBLY TO OVERHEATING AND A FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A 'THERMAL PROTECTOR KIT' AND TEST THE AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER FAN MOTOR AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 2, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Equipment07E046000
Filed Jul 3, 20073,500 vehiclesHopkins Manufacturing Corp.

Defect. 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.

Risk. THIS HARNESS WOULD RESULT IN POWER FROM THE TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER GOING TO THE TOWING VEHICLE DASH LIGHT CIRCUIT RATHER THAN THE TRAILER BRAKES. THIS RESULT WOULD BE THE LACK OF TRAILER BRAKING WHEN THE TOWING VEHICLE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. IT WOULD ALSO RESULT IN THE TOWING VEHICLES DASH LIGHTS BEING ACTIVATED WHEN THE VEHICLE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE FAILURE OF THE APPLICATION OF THE TRAILER BRAKE COULD RESULT IN REDUCED ABILITY TO STOP AND CONTRIBUTE TO A POSSIBLE CRASH.

Remedy. HOPKINS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE ORIGINAL HARNESS WITH A REVISED HARNESS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 17, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT HOPKINS AT 800-835-0129.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air Bags
Filed Aug 13, 2024CA

Unknown the light for air bags is on

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Apr 1, 2024CA

For several years now since I received this car from a family member gas gauge has been not working I contacted Nissan they said my year or VIN number was it affected but that's not accurate because it is so what can I do

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 5, 2024MA

My breaking system has a malfunction that comes on and off. Sometimes the brakes automatically stop working and start grinding as if I have no brakes, but when I brought it to be looked at they couldn't find the problem. I notice that when you turn the car off and turn it back on the problems of sides for a little while will eventually come back later. For someone to detect it, they cannot shut the car off at the time that is presenting itself.

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Oct 19, 2022KY

I got this vehicle from a buy here pay here with 355,xxx miles the motor runs and drives great but when I went to go down the interstate after a month having the vehicle it was shaking really bad so I called auto parts and autozone and even took it to a mechanic they all told me alignment and if that doesn't work them put new rotors and breaks and we'll it's still there and if you go 35 you can hear something rubbing and when you hit 60 it starts shaking really bad and the steering wheel is very hard to hold when this happens so still don't know what it is!

Service BrakesFire
Filed Oct 8, 2022AZ

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.

EngineFire
Filed Oct 8, 2022AZ

Engine brake transmission speed failure

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 27, 2022CA

I have a 2005 Nissan Armada that has a known problem with its brakes. It has a faulty Delta Brake Sensor and Brake Booster. What happens is that the brake light comeson, the vehicle losses its braking ability and sounds like metal scraping when you apply the brakes. The issue will reset if you turn off the car. Nissan knows about this issue but has failed to send 2004-2006 Armada owners of information on how to get this fixed at a local dealer. Here is a link to the class action settlement: https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/closed-settlements/nissan-brake-defect-class-action-settlement/ My complaint is this, there were 350,000 affected vehicles and mine was one of them. I was never notified by Nissan of this faulty part and did not know that Nissan would reimburse me for the repair. The settlement date is now closed but the problem still exists in many Nissan affected vehicles. I called Nissan USA and they said Nissan could do nothing for me. I called my local Nissan dealer and described the problem and they said they could do nothing for me but that I could pay out of pocket to have the brake booster replaced at qa cost of $1500f or parts and labor. The error code associated with this problem is C1179. This issue is a safety issue and it affects the vehicles ability to stop. If you do not see the brake warning light on you do not know that the issue is happening. This could result in a dangerous situation at highway speeds. I would like the NHTSA to get involve

Fuel System, Other
Filed Apr 27, 2022192,000 milesCA

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Armada. The contact stated that the fuel gauge inaccurately displayed the fuel level in the tank while the fuel tank was empty; causing the vehicle to stall. The contact refueled the vehicle and was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V074000 (Fuel System, Other) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 192,000.

SteeringCrash2 injured
Filed Aug 17, 2021215,000 milesVA

The contact owned a 2005 Nissan Armada. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, his steering wheel was locked without warning. Due to the failure, the contact veered off the road and hit two parked vehicles. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. The contact stated that a little girl was standing near one of the parked vehicles and was knocked into a tree and was airlifted to a child trauma center. The contact stated that from his knowledge, the girl was only treated for cuts and bruises. The contact stated that he was knocked out for a few minutes after impact but refused medical attention at the scene. He later went to the hospital and was treated for a concussion and whiplash. The contact stated that he believed that a police report was filed but was not certain. The vehicle was towed from the scene to an independent tow yard where it was deemed a total loss. The dealer nor the manufacturer have been notified of the failure. The vehicle had been destroyed. The failure mileage was approximately 215,000.

Fuel System, Other
Filed Jul 2, 2021172,000 milesTX

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Armada. The contact stated that the fuel gauge was incorrectly reporting the amount of fuel in the vehicle. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with, NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V074000 (Fuel System, Other) however, the Vin was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and confirmed that the Vin was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 172,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed May 6, 202168,000 milesIA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ARMADA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MUFFLER HAD BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES DUE TO IT CRACKING AROUND THE HEADER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MUFFLER DAMAGED WIRING HARNESS AND THE COMPUTER SYSTEM, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. HUMMEL'S NISSAN (4770 MERLE HAY RD, DES MOINES, IA 50322) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MUFFLER WAS REPLACED TWICE BY THE DEALER HOWEVER, THE MUFFLER FAILURE RECURRED. THE MUFFLER WAS REPLACED A THIRD TIME BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Mar 24, 202184,000 milesOR

WE BOUGHT THIS CAR USED. THE FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT WORK ONCE IT GETS DOWN TO 1/4 OF THE TANK LEFT. I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON A CITY STREET WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN MY CAR JUST TURNED OFF. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO SLOWLY STEER OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS GOING ON BECAUSE MY FUEL GAUGE SAID I STILL HAD 1/4 TANK LEFT OF GAS. THIS COULD'VE BEEN FAR MORE DANGEROUS IF I WOULD'VE RUN OUT OF GAS ON A FREEWAY OR HIGHWAY. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS YEAR AND MODEL FOR THE FUEL GAUGE INACCURACY, BUT WHEN I CALLED THEY SAID MY VIN DIDN'T MATCH THE RECALL.

Air Bags
Filed Feb 19, 20212 milesFL

I'M DRIVING THE CAR STRAIGHT 5 TO 10 MINUTES, AFTER THAT THE CAR START SHAKING THE VDCOFF AND SLIP LIGHT TURN ON AND THE STIRRING WHEEL STAY TURN SLIGHTLY SIDEWAY TO DRIVE THE CAR STRAIGHT I TURN OFF THE CAR FOR 1 OR 2 MINUTE AND EVERYTHING ON THE CAR BECOME NORMAL FOR 5 TO 10 MORE MINUTE I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY CAR IS BEEN PARK IN MY GARAGE FOR TWO YEARS I DONT DRIVE IT AND CAN SELL IT WITH THAT PROBLEM

Service Brakes
Filed Feb 18, 2021100,151 milesMA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ARMADA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND THE CONTACT FELT THE VEHICLE SLIDE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE MAKING TURNS, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND MADE THE STEERING WHEEL DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS, THE AIR BAGS, AND THE VDC OFF WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,151.

Traction Control System
Filed Sep 2, 2020147,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ARMADA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT AND VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL (VDC) AND SLIP WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE USING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT GUIDED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT STATED SHE TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND AFTER RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE FUNCTIONED AS DESIGNED. THE CONTACT STATED SHE CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED ZEIGLER NISSAN OF ORLAND PARK LOCATED AT 8550 W 159TH ST, ORLAND PARK, IL 60462, (708) 403-1300, AND MADE THE DEALER AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07E046000 (EQUIPMENT) HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 6, 2020157,759 milesUT

THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE! THE BRAKE LIGHT ON THE CONTROL PANEL COMES ON AND WHEN STEPPING ON THE BRAKES, THE CAR HARDLY BRAKES. IT FEELS LIKE THE BRAKES ARE GRINDING AND SKIDDING. I HAVE TO CAREFULLY PULL THE CAR OVER AND TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON. LATELY THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING AROUND ONCE A WEEK.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jul 15, 2020MS

THE FUEL GAGE GETS TO ONE QUARTER AND IT STARTS TO BE INACCURATE AND WILL RUN OUT OF GAS SHOWING ONE QUARTER TANK. THE FUEL GAGE WILL NOT WORK RIGHT UNTIL YOU HAVE OVER THREE QUARTERS IN. I GOT SO LOW ON FUEL THE LIGHT WAS ON THREE DAYS AGO. I PUT A FEW GALLONS IN WHEN I GOT TO TOWN IT SHOWER THERE WAS 1/8 OF A TANK BY THE TIME I GOT HOME IT WAS SHOWING A LITTLE OVER 1/4 WERE IT WAS WHEN IT RAN OUT OF GAS 1 1/2 YEARS AGO. THE NEXT MORNING I HAD TO GO TO TOWN AND IT SHOWED I HAD ALMOST HALF A TANK BY THE TIME I GOT THERE. I'VE PUT ABOUT 7 GALLONS IN IT AND THE FUEL GAGE IS AT THE SAME PLACE. WHEN I FILLED THE TANK UP THE FUEL GAGE STARTED WORKING PROBABLY. I'VE LOOKED AND THERE IS A RECALL ON THE FUEL SENDING UNIT ON SOME NISSAN ARMADA ALREADY BUT THIS ONE ISN'T ON THE LIST

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Mar 5, 2020AL

VDC OFF

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Feb 5, 2020159,000 milesCA

FUEL READS AT AROUND 1/4 EVEN WHEN EMPTY. NOT KNOWING IT NEEDED FUEL, THE CAR RAN OUT OF GAS, STRANDING THE CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. VEHICLE WAS GOING N MOTION AT 35 MPH, VEHICLE WAS GUIDED TO LESS CROWDED SIDE STREET AND STALLED. VEHICLE WAS PUSHED TO AN OPEN SPACE.

Service Brakes
Filed Dec 13, 2019153,000 milesTN

WHILE I WAS DRIVING I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND DIDN'T HAVE ANY AND IT MADE A LOUD SOUND I COASTED TO A STOP TURNED CAR OFF. CALLED MECHANIC THEY CAME OUT AND I HAD A BLOWN FUSE FOR MY ABS SYSTEM THEY REPLACED IT BUT NOW I AM WONDERING IF THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN?

20 of 373 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2004
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20268200Routine
202521200Routine
20244100Routine
20235100Routine
20229100Routine
202113200Routine
202027210Routine
201973100Routine
201875100Routine
201781010Routine
20161000Routine
201521302Fatalities reported
201412100Routine
201317210Routine
201217110Routine
201140120Routine
201048510Routine
200923410Routine
2008161710Routine
200786300Routine
20062665130Above average
2005 — this page373550Above average
2004464320Above average

Compare every Armada year →

Reading this record

Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Oct 28, 2010. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.