2012 Nissan Armada

Routine

Owners filed 17 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes. It has been recalled 1 time.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes4
000
Electrical System3
010
Unknown or Other2
000
Air Bags2
000
Structure › Frame and Members1
000
Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate1
001
Structure › Body1
000
Fuel/Propulsion System1
000
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Evaporative Emissions › Hoses/Valves/Sensors1
000
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility1
000

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Equipment › Other › Labels12V143000
Filed Apr 4, 201226,626 vehiclesNissan North America, Inc.

Defect. 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.”

Risk. THE OMISSION OF THE RIM SIZE MAY LEAD TO AN INCORRECT TIRE/WHEEL COMBINATION WHICH MAY INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD OF A CRASH.

Remedy. NISSAN WILL SUPPLY OWNERS WITH A NEW LABEL AND INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW INSTALL THE LABEL OR THE OWNER WILL HAVE THE OPTION OF TAKING THEIR VEHICLE TO A NISSAN DEALER TO HAVE THE NEW LABEL INSTALLED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 28, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-615-725-1000.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Jun 12, 2025150,000 milesIL

The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Armada. The contact stated that while driving, he drove over a bump in the road, and the back end swayed and it fishtailed. The contact pulled over and was unable to locate the cause of the failure. The contact continued to drive while driving over 35 MPH; the vehicle swerved. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, a suspension shop, and the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the subframe had fractured and was on top of the fuel tank. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was not repaired due to the intense repairs and price. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Evaporative Emissions › Hoses/Valves/Sensors
Filed Apr 11, 2025NC

I have a 2012 Nissan armada and a 2013 Nissan armada and both cars o2 sensors have went out on each of them. This must be a common problem and the financial strain shouldn’t be left for the customers buying an already expensive vehicles. Very odd that both my armadas are having the same issues with that particular sensor

Unknown or Other
Filed Oct 14, 2024OK

Ignition doesn't respond when key is inserted and turned to start. Sometimes it does it, sometimes it doesn't. When it doesn't work, it usually takes about 10 or 15 times trying and then it eventually starts.

Air Bags
Filed Apr 13, 2023102,016 milesTX

The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Armada. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. The contact's husband inspected the vehicle and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23E012000 (Air Bags). The contact was concerned of an inadvertent deployment of the air bags. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,016.

Structure › Body
Filed Dec 30, 2020121,000 milesTX

THE REAR LIFT GATE HOUSING IS CRACKED AND COMPRISES THE INTEGRITY OF KEEPING THE REAR DOOR FROM OPENING FROM THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE TO INCLUDE THE GLASS WINDOW PORTION. I DISCOVERED THE CRACKED LIFT GATE HOUSING AS THE REAR LATCH IS NOT FULLY OPERATIONAL.

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 16, 202099,000 milesIL

THE BRAKE LIGHT AND SLIP INDICATOR TURN ON AND THE BRAKES DO NOT WORK. THERE IS NOTHING IN THE MANUAL THAT EXPLAINS WHAT THIS MEANS OTHER THAN POTENTIALLY LOW BRAKE FLUID. WE CHECKED THE BRAKE FLUID LEVEL AND IT WAS HALFWAY, WE FILLED IT UP AND THE ISSUE DID NOT GO AWAY EVEN AFTER DRIVING IT. WHEN YOU TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND START IT BACK UP THE BRAKE LIGHT TURNS OFF LEAVING ONLY THE SLIP INDICATOR ON BUT NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHAT THE ISSUES ARE REGARDING BOTH SYSTEMS. AFTER CAREFULLY TESTING THE SYSTEM WE FOUND THAT THE BRAKES ARE IN FACT FAILING AND THE VEHICLE IS NOT STOPPING. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 12, 2019125,000 milesPA

VERY LIGHT BRAKE PEDAL, PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR BEFORE THE TRUCK STARTS TO SLOW DOWN. THE BRAKE AND VDC LIGHTS COME AND THE BRAKES SKIP AND TRUCK SLIDES. TOOK TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP THEY SAID IT WAS MY BRAKE BOOSTER AND MASTER CYLINDER CAUSING THE ISSUE, I HAD ITEMS REPLACED AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Apr 9, 201860,875 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 NISSAN ARMADA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OUTSIDE THE CONTACT'S PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT, AN EXPLOSION WAS HEARD. THE CONTACT EXITED THE BUILDING AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM HER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT OPENED THE FRONT DRIVER'S DOOR AND NOTICED FLAMES UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN, CONSOLE, AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WAS NO POLICE OR FIRE REPORT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A TOWING LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT AN INVESTIGATOR WOULD INVESTIGATE THE FIRE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,875.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 12, 201810 milesTX

THE MOTORS ON ALL 3 NISSAN VEHICLES HAVE AND KEEP GOING OUT. I OWNED A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA, CURRENTLY OWN A NISSAN TITAN 2006 AND ARMADA 2012. I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THE TITAN BACK PASSENGER MOTOR 5X. MAIN WINDOW MOTOR 1X. ALTIMA FRONT PASSENGER ONCE. ARMADA TWO PASSENGER MOTORS ARE GIVING OUT. THIS HAPPENS EITHER PARKED OR DRIVING. AM I THE ONLY ONE HAVING THESE ISSUES?

Air Bags
Filed Nov 3, 2017GA

I WAS IDENTIFIED AS THE OWNER OF A VEHICLE WITH ONE OR MORE TAKATA -MANUFACTURED AIRBAG INFLATORS POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE , DO I HAVE A CLAIM ?

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 20, 201524,231 milesMD

RIGHT REAR PARKING BRAKE CABLE BRACKET SNAPPED. CABLE DROPPED DOWN ON TO RIGHT REAR DRIVE AXLE AND A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD. TOOK VEHICLE TO NISSAN DEALER AND THEY CLAIMED IT WAS NOT A WARRANTY REPAIR.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed May 24, 201560,000 milesNH

AT APPROXIMATELY 45-50 THE CAR BEGAN TO SHUDDER ON A STATE HIGHWAY AND STALLED MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER WITH NORMAL EFFORT . IT WOULD NOT START AND WAS TOWED. OF NOTE THIS IS MY 2ND ARMADA MY 2004 HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I CAN'T IMAGINE NISSAN DOES NOT KNOW AND HAS DONE NOTHING TO FIX IT. ANY THOUGHTS ?

Unknown or Other
Filed May 21, 201533,656 milesMD

LEFT REAR PARKING BRAKE CABLE BRACKET SNAPPED CAUSING THE BRAKE CABLE TO WRAP AROUND THE LEFT REAR DRIVE AXLE, PULLING THE DRIVE AXLE OUT OF THE TRANS-AXLE, AND CAUSING SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE DRIVE SHAFT AND DRIVE TRAIN. THE TRUCK WOULD NOT DRIVE FORWARD OR IN REVERSE AND WOULD DRIFT IN PARK, AS IF IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. ALSO, DUE TO THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE WRAPPING AROUND THE DRIVE AXLE, THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE HAD EVENTUALLY SNAPPED, RENDERING NO FUNCTION OF THE PARKING BRAKE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE. I HAD TO PUSH THE VEHICLE BACK UP AGAINST A CURB TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM DRIFTING WHEN IN PARK.

Service Brakes
Filed Jan 27, 201537,000 milesKS

ON OR ABOUT 1/14/2015 I PULLED INTO MY MOTHER'S DRIVEWAY TO DROP OFF MY CHILD FOR DAYCARE. I PUT MY VEHICLE IN PARK, APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BECAUSE THE DRIVEWAY SITS UP HIGH, AND TURNED OFF THE ARMADA. UPON EXITING MY MOTHER'S HOUSE I OBSERVED MY VEHICLE ROLLING OFF THE DRIVEWAY ON IT'S OWN. IT DIDN'T STOP UNTIL IT HIT THE CURB ACROSS THE STREET. THIS COULD HAVE LEAD TO A CRASH OR WORSE IF I HAD BEEN UNLOADING MY CHILD FROM HIS CARSEAT WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. I HATE TO THINK WHAT WOULD HAVE OCCURRED IF ONE OF MY OTHER CHILDREN WAS STANDING BEHIND THE VEHICLE WHEN THE VEHICLE ROLLED OFF THE DRIVEWAY. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Oct 8, 201437,000 milesMA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ARMADA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER ON FIVE OCCASIONS FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTAKE SENSOR AND THE FUEL PUMP WERE REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000. UPDATED 11/24/14*LJ

Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
Filed Aug 11, 20148,000 milesNC

I WAS DRIVING TO THE STORE ONE MORNING ABOUT 3 MILES FROM HOME. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE RAIN STARTED COMING IN THE CAR BC THE SUNROOF DRAIN LINES WERE IMPROPERLY WORKING AT 10% BECAUSE WHEN MANUFACTURED THEY WERE PLACED THE WRONG WAY. THIS CAUSED WATER TO POUR INTO MY CAR AS I WAS DRIVING . MY FEET WERE SOAKED AS RAINWATER POURED ON THE GAS AND BRAKE PEDALS. IT ALSO STARTED TO COME THROUGH THE DVD PLAYER ,THE SUNROOF WHEN CLOSED AND THE SIDE TOP PANEL IN FRONT. MY LIGHTS AND SPEEDOMETER BEGAN TO GO IN AND OUT AS THEN WATER CONTINUED TO FLOOD MY CAR . MY CAR WAS IN THE SHOP FOR 2 MONTHS AND HAD TO BE COMPLETELY GUTTED DUE TO THE WATER RUINING THE SEATS AND THE CARPET. NISSAN DIDN'T TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THERE FACTORY DEFAULT THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED MORE UNKNOWN PROBLEMS . WE BOUGHT THE CAR IN DEC. 2012 BRAND NEW. *TR

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate1 injured
Filed Sep 4, 20134,000 milesMA

I HIT THE BUTTON TO CLOSE THE REAR LIFT GATE. I THEN STEPPED AWAY AND WHEN COMING BACK AROUND THE CORNER I DID NOT CUT THE CORNER WIDE ENOUGH AND WENT RIGHT INTO THE GATE WHICH CONTINUED TO CLOSE ON MY HEAD. THIS RESULTED IN A LACERATION TO MY FOREHEAD, A CONCUSSION AND A TRIP TO THE ER. AT MY ADMISSION, I WAS RUSHING AROUND THE CORNER SO I THOUGHT PERHAPS THAT MAYBE I DID NOT GIVE IT ENOUGH TIME TO SENSE ME AND RETRACT. HOWEVER, I HAVE SINCE "TESTED" THIS AUTOMATIC CLOSE FEATURE WITH MY ARM AND IT DOES NOT SENSE IT AND CONTINUES TO CLOSE. OBVIOUSLY, THIS TIME I WAS AWARE OF WHAT I WAS DOING SO I HAD TIME TO RETRACT MY ARM. I AM LEFT WITH A PERMANENT SCAR ON MY FOREHEAD BUT I FEAR THIS COULD POTENTIALLY HAVE EVEN WORSE CONSEQUENCES FOR SOMEONE ELSE IN THE FUTURE, ESPECIALLY A CHILD. *JB

17 of 17 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
2012 — this page17110Routine
201140120Routine
201048510Routine
200923410Routine
2008161710Routine
200786300Routine
20062665130Above average
2005373550Above average
2004464320Above average

Compare every Armada year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

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: Apr 4, 2012. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.