Which Years Of Used Nissan Armadas Are Most Reliable?
The Nissan Armada is the company’s biggest SUV, accommodating seven to eight passengers. The Armada is one of the few real SUVs – not a crossover – with robust body-on-frame construction and potent engines. It’s also worth noting that the Armada is mechanically similar to the Infiniti QX80 with a more value-oriented focus.
With that said, the Nissan Armada isn’t the most popular SUV in the segment. Despite that, many people love Nissan’s full-size SUV, which is why Nissan keeps making it. If you plan to buy a used model, you’re probably wondering which is the most reliable year for Nissan Armada.
For today’s post, we highlight the two generations of the Armada SUV and determine which models are worth buying as a used vehicle or not. Let’s check it out.
2004-2015 Nissan Armada (First Generation)
Nissan’s answer to the full-size SUV leaders like Chevrolet Tahoe and Toyota Sequoia is the Armada which debuted in 2004. The first-generation Armada had a decade-long run which frustrated many fans. Below, we highlight some of this generation’s most and least reliable Armada.
NOT JUST FOR CAR SHOPPING
The CoPilot app isn’t just for buying a car - our new CoPilot for Owning tool will help you keep track of recalls and gives you advice on which scheduled maintenance tasks are most important.
Avoid: 2004 Nissan Armada
Unfortunately, the very first Armada model needed to be more reliable. According to CarComplaints.com, the 2004 Armada had over 600 complaints and three recalls. One of its top reliability issues is sudden unintended acceleration, where the SUV would suddenly accelerate, although the drivers report that they had their foot on the brake pedal.
In addition, the 2004 Armada was also known for its brake problems, which reared its ugly head at around 90,000+ miles. When using the brakes, drivers would hear grinding and knocking noises, and the brakes would refuse to engage. Obviously, this was a significant safety issue as it can cause accidents or even death.
Avoid: 2005 Nissan Armada
The following year of the Armada isn’t better either. It accumulated more than 500 user complaints and five recalls under its belt. With that said the 2005 Armada also struggled with brake problems. Specifically, drivers reported the ABS light would come on, and the brakes would create grinding noises – like the previous year, the brakes simply refused to work.
Although the brakes alone are a dealbreaker for this model, other reliability concerns exist, such as engine stalling and cooling problems. This used Armada model year is not worth the investment.
Avoid: 2008 Nissan Armada
The 2008 Nissan Armada is much better than the previous two models above regarding reliability. However, it does have its fair share of issues and reliability concerns that it’s hard to recommend buying it as a used unit. Continuing the tradition of faulty brake systems, the 2008 Armada struggled with brake booster failure that triggered the ABS. Once again, the brakes created grinding noises and eventually stopped working.
Another noteworthy issue with the 2008 Armada is that the overhead console tends to fall down. According to one user, the “cheap plastic roof console” is held together by plastic clips. This plastic console reportedly cracked at about 45,000 miles before it eventually fell.
THE BEST USED SUVS UNDER $10,000
We looked into price, reliability, features, and more to create this list of the best used SUVs under $10k on the market today. Take a look - some of the best used SUVs have gone mostly overlooked or forgotten.
Buy: 2009 Nissan Armada
Finally, Nissan could keep its bearings together and launched an Armada SUV with acceptable reliability ratings. The 2009 Nissan Armada received an “Awesome” seal of approval from CarComplaints.com with only 40 complaints and four recalls.
While the 2009 version brought virtually no significant changes to the lineup, it had a 5.6-liter V8 engine that cranked 317 hp and 385 lb-ft of torque. Also, it had a towing capacity of 9,000 lbs, making it a versatile full-size SUV. With a price range of $6,725 - $9,250, the 2009 is one of the best older SUVs you can get for cheap.
Buy: 2010 Nissan Armada
Nissan continues its reliability streak with the 2010 Armada. It’s mechanically similar to the 2009 model since the lineup had no significant upgrades or changes. With only 56 NHTSA complaints and five recalls, the 2010 Armada was also a proud recipient of CarComplaints’ “Awesome” seal award.
As for reliability issues, the 2010 year received a complaint about a faulty actuator, but it’s only a single complaint – so take that with a grain of salt. Overall, the 2010 version is undoubtedly the most reliable year for Nissan Armada in this generation. However, the Armada needed a significant redesign at this point, but it never happened until a few years ago.
THE BEST USED MINIVANS ON THE MARKET
When it comes to hauling a lot of people and cargo, the minivan is hard to beat. We’ve factored in reliability, affordability, and functionality to create this curated list of the 8 best used minivans on the market today.
Buy: 2011-2015 Nissan Armada
Thankfully, the rest of the models from the first generation are solid in terms of reliability and value proposition – so you can buy any of these models with confidence. For instance, the 2011 Nissan Armada also received positive feedback from CarComplaints.com, with only 62 complaints and a single recall.
The 2012 model year is another standout, claiming the “Awesome” seal of approval and receiving only 21 NHTSA complaints and one recall. However, the SUV does have some body integrity issues, like peeling paint.
2017-Present Nissan Armada (Second Generation)
Avoid: 2017 Nissan Armada
Buy: 2018 Nissan Armada
The 2018 Armada models are reliable, with very few NHTSA complaints, and most reported issues are relatively minor. Also, both models share the problem with the transmission, with many drivers claiming that it doesn’t shift properly.
THE NISSAN ARMADA YEARS TO AVOID
Although the Nissan Armada is a formidable entry in the SUV market, not every year model is great. With that being said, here are the Nissan Armada years to avoid.
Buy: 2019 Nissan Armada
If you want to buy a newer Armada model, the 2019 is easy to recommend, thanks to its beefy engine, composed handling, and upscale interior. It has a powerful 5.6-liter V8 engine that produces 390 hp, so that power won’t be an issue with this model year.
Despite the improvements, the 2019 also had some issues, such as the “back-up collision intervention system false error,” where the system returns some egregious errors and takes away the control from the driver. Overall, the 2019 version is an excellent option if you want the most reliable year for Nissan Armada and a newer model.
Although the Armada has improved over the years, it’s not exactly the best-selling large SUV in the market. Many folks believe that the upgrades are too little, too late for Nissan. Regardless, the Armada remains a reliable and capable full-size worth buying as used.
Get a Curated List of the Best Used Cars Near You
The CoPilot car shopping app is the easiest way to buy a car. Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll search the inventories of every dealership in your area to make you a personalized list of the best car listings in your area.
Only looking for newer models? CoPilot Compare is the search engine for nearly-new cars. Only see cars five years or newer with low mileage — CoPilot Compare is the best way to find off-lease, early trade-in, and CPO cars.
The best part? CoPilot is built using the same technology that dealerships use to buy and sell their inventories, so we have more info on each vehicle than competitors. CoPilot doesn’t work with dealerships, so there are no sponsored posts or other shady practices — just the most info on the best cars. Check out our About Us page to see how CoPilot works.
