What's Wrong with the 1st Generation (2004–2016) Armada?

Front 3/4 view of a Nissan Armada

Armada owners have made 162 complaints about the 2004–2016 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 23rd out of 54 Nissan generations in overall reliability, with some brakes and interior concerns.

Compare With Other Armada Generations

Common 2004-2016 Nissan Armada Problems

Some of the worst issues 1st generation Armada owners have to deal with.

  2. What Are We Missing?

    We know there's more problems than this. Let us know which one you'd like to see us cover next.

    Continue

What Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

1st Generation (2004–2016) Armada Key Numbers

  1. 12 model years

    Grouping all models by their year can reveal some baddies.

  2. 162 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  3. 23rd in reliability

    Overall reliability rank out of 54 eligible generations.

Recent Lawsuits for 1st Generation Armada Owners

  • Motion to dismiss

    David Turner, et al., v. Nissan North America, Inc., et al.

    1. Motion to dismiss

      A Nissan AEB (automatic emergency braking) malfunction class action lawsuit will continue after the federal judge ruled against most of Nissan's motion to dismiss the complaint.

    2. Case Filed

      This forward emergency braking lawsuit alleges the system malfunctions,suddenly and unexpectedly braking on railroad tracks, bridges, intersections and other locations. Instead of protecting drivers, the Nissan lawsuit alleges the systems create perfect conditions for rear-end and side crashes.

Recent 1st Generation (2004–2016) Armada News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  1. A lawsuit claiming Nissan's automatic emergency braking (AEB) system has dangerous defects will continue in court

    following a U.S. District Court judge tossing out the automaker's motion to dismiss. AEB systems monitor the road and can apply the brakes if the system detects a collision is imminnent. But according to the lawsuit, Nissan's AEB detects items that aren't there and can randomly bring the car to a screeching halt.…

    keep reading article "Nissan Wanted An Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) Lawsuit Tossed. It Didn't Work."

  3. Does Nissan's automatic emergency braking (AEB) system have a defective radar?

    A California lawsuit says malfunctions in the system create random emergency braking situations when the radar detects objects that aren’t really there.

    The owner's manuals for many of the vehicles admit the automatic emergency braking systems do "not function in all driving, traffic, weather and road conditions.” But the plaintiff says the manual leaves out the part about how the systems can cause vehicles to suddenly stop even when no objects are in the driving lane.

    It’s scary to think that a safety system might actually create more crash scenarios than it prevents.

    keep reading article "AEB Lawsuit Says System Can Randomly Stop Vehicles"

  5. Next time you leave your vehicle in park, don't count on it being there when you get back.

    According to Nissan a problem with the transmission can make it impossible to actually get your vehicle in park. Specifically interference between the parking rod and transmission house can cause the parking pawl to not engage. And yes, pawl is a real word (but I admittedly had to look it up).

    The problem affects 2015 Armadas built between September 15 and October 14, 2014.

    Nissan hasn't announced when the recall will begin. Once it does dealers will inspect affected cars and in some cases replace the entire transmission. Owners with questions can contact Nissan at 800-647-7261.

    keep reading article "Armada Transmissions Aren’t Engaging Into Park"