Best and worst Nissan Armada years — which to avoid

Buying a used Nissan Armada can lead to a real bargain deal on the current market, but its reliability isn’t equal for all of the model years. There were some models plagued by frequent issues that made drivers delve into the model years looking for the worst Nissan Armada years to avoid.

Despite the overall success of the model, our team will explain why you should avoid certain years based on ownership submissions sent to NHTSA, series of recalls issued by Nissan, and overall reliability ratings that speak in favor of some model years over the others.

Why you can trust REREV’s advice on which car model years to avoid: Our car experts look at official data, ask real drivers what they think, and talk to experienced mechanics to make sure our list is useful. This reliable info can make buying a car easier for you. Want to know how we do it? Find out more about our research methodology.

How we rated the best and worst Nissan Armada years

Rating the Nissan Armada years by best and worst was easier when we browsed official reports of prominent automotive safety organizations. We, therefore, relied on NHTSA reports the most in terms of complaints and recall logs, while safety ratings obtained from IIHS helped us form an opinion on value of each used Armada model year.

Of course, we also based our research on information from real driver reviews and experiences of former and current owners of the Armada through Edmunds, KBB, and Consumer Reports. It didn’t hurt browsing some Armada forums as well, but we took those with a grain of salt until we were able to verify the statements we found there. All in all, here’s an ultimate list of the best and worst Nissan Armada years:

Most common Nissan Armada problems

Like other vehicles, the Nissan Armada has some common problems. Knowing these common problems and applying the proper preventive measures for some will help you maintain your Armada to a ripe old age. Below are the common Nissan Armada problems you can expect.

1. Rusty engine harness

Armada’s engine design has a loophole that heavily impacts its performance. The design allows water to accumulate between the transmission wiring harness and the engine. Water getting in these parts encourages corrosion, making starting the engine difficult.

It is either the engine stalls after starting or cranks without starting. Other times, the transmission may be affected, not allowing it to shift correctly. The rusty engine harness would have to be replaced to resolve the issue.

2. Failed catalytic converter

The role of the catalytic converter is to reduce harmful emissions by filtering toxic byproducts from the exhaust gases and burning them. It also improves your car’s efficiency. When it’s down, the check engine warning light will illuminate to bring the fault to your attention.

Many 2005 to 2014 Armada drivers reported the check engine light coming up due to catalytic converter issue. In most cases, a faulty fuel pump was the reason for the converter’s failure as it lowered fuel pressure causing leaner air to fuel mix. Others report that a faulty oxygen sensor which also causes a disparity in the air-to-fuel mixture, is the reason for their catalytic converter failure.

Replacing the fuel pump or oxygen sensor with the failed catalytic converter should fix the issue.

3. Pulsating brake pads

Some Nissan Armada drivers complained of the brakes pulsating during moderate and light braking. The pulsating vibration is often felt in the pedals or steering wheel and, in some severe cases, the entire car’s body.

2005, 2006, 2008, and 2011 Armada models are the most notorious for developing this issue. All four brake rotors must be resurfaced or replaced to resolve the problem. Updating the brake pads and some other brake components is also required for the fix to be complete, especially when the problem has been allowed to linger.

4. Overhead console falls

The overhead consoles on a vehicle are not supposed to wear out at any point. Many drivers speculate that Nissan made the Armada less expensive to produce by reducing the quality of the material used to make the overhead console.

It may not look overly severe since it does not directly affect drivability, but it is dangerous all the same. Since drivers never expected the console to fall, they were startled whenever it did fall, sometimes to the extent of causing an accident due to the sudden shock and loss of concentration.

For the more fortunate drivers, the wear happened in visible stages. It starts with the plastic becoming brittle, with bits of the plastic falling from the ceiling at some point. The entire process usually ended with the overhead console falling or hanging from the cabin’s roof.

The 2008 Armada model was most afflicted with this issue, making it one model you should avoid if you don’tdon’t want your car’s interior to age prematurely because of this defect.

5. Brake issues

Most early Armada models, especially those of 2004 to 2008, have problems with their brakes. Whenever the ABS warning light illuminates, the brakes grind and stop working moments later.

The sudden way this issue happened put drivers in difficult situations as they mostly did not notice the problem until they tried the brakes. Some narrowly avoided accidents using their manual handbrake, while others were lucky to have enough space to slow down.

Upon inspection, the cause of the problem is a malfunctioning delta stroke sensor or an issue with the electrical system. The brake fluid, which was thought to be the culprit, had no leaks or problems.

Drivers had to file a lawsuit against Nissan as the problem became a widespread nuisance. In 2014, they won the case, with Nissan reimbursing drivers between $20 to $800 for their troubles.

Worst Nissan Armada years to avoid

Some Nissan Armada models prove to be a good bargain. However, there are some you should avoid entirely despite any offer you may get for them. If you are wondering what are the worst Nissan Armada years, the worst Armada years are 2008 and 2017, but here’s a complete list:

• 2004
• 2005
• 2006
• 2008
• 2017
• 2018

Now that we’ve gone through the main issues making these model years so bad reliability-wise, it’s time to get to thorough explanations of each:

First-generation Armada (2004-2006 and 2008 model years)

The first generation of Nissan Armadas began with many problems, making its early models Armadas you should avoid at all costs if you want to get value with use. The first two models have the most serious reported problems among all Armada models. And the primary problem they had was brake issues.

After 90,000 miles or less, the brakes on the first two models ceased to work, and this could happen anytime. Because of this issue, some drivers were unfortunate enough to get into accidents or crash their cars. They also had many cases of engine failure and other engine-related problems.

The 2006 Armada inherited most of the problems of the 2005 model, especially the brake problem. It is relatively safer than the 2004 and 2005 models with fewer problems, but it is best to avoid it, too, as the brake issue can be life-threatening in the wrong places and time.

Nissan attempted a facelift for their first generation Armadas, of which the 2008 model is included. Though the model did not have many life-threatening issues that impacted drivability, the problem it had was also an ingredient for accidents. It had a design problem that caused the overhead console to fall.

Many drivers reported that the overhead console fell right on them. For those who were deep in a ride when the console fell, it was startling and shocking enough to make them lose concentration on the road for a bit, putting them at risk of getting involved in an accident.

Fixing this issue of a falling overheat console cost about $2,000, making it an expensive fix and defeating the purpose of the vehicle’s relatively low price.

Second-generation Armada (2017 model year)

Nissan improved a lot on the second generation of Armadas. However, you should avoid the 2017 Armada model year.

It does not have too many problems, but one major complaint is severe. Transmission problems are not ones to be taken lightly. Drivers reported that the 2017 transmission malfunctions and does not shift correctly.

In the wrong situation, such a problem is a clear recipe for disaster. It is best to avoid buying the 2017 Nissan Armada to prevent danger.

What are the best Nissan Armada years to buy?

The Nissan Armada compares favorably with other competitors in the market. Some models give good value for your money, whether you buy it factory fresh or from the used market. These models are:

• 2007
• 2009
• 2010
• 2011
• 2012
• 2013
• 2014
• 2015
• 2016
• 2018
• 2019
• 2020

These models are dependable and far above average on the reliability scale. They have fewer complaints and are safer. Out of all these, the absolute best model is the 2016 Armada.

2016 Nissan Armada

The 2016 Nissan Armada is one of the best options out there due to its low number of complaints and excellent reliability score overall. It didn’t have any particular issues concerning the engine and transmission, and the only few reports of complaints we’ve found on NHTSA include minor issues like faulty seatbelts.

We are not saying these aren’t serious for your driving safety, but at least they could be easily fixed. The 2016 model also has a sturdy construction capable of off-road driving and a palette of engine options that each last more than 200,000 miles with proper maintenance.

Is the Nissan Armada worth buying?

The Nissan Armada is one of the least expensive large SUVs in the market. It is not the best, but it is a good purchase if you are tight on budget. It delivers incredible performance with a high-end interior, standard tech, and driver-assist features.

If you see cars as investments, the Nissan Armada’sArmada’s resale value is just about average. There are other better and more popular options available in the market. It is best for personal use as it is reliable, costs little to maintain, and lasts between 250,000 to 300,000 miles on average.

If you’re considering full-size SUVs check our articles like Toyota Sequoia years to avoid, Chevy Tahoe years to avoid, and Ford Expedition years to avoid. Our articles aim to identify the model years that might be best to avoid, drawing on a combination of reliability data, owner feedback, and recall records.