RoadVitals

2012 Nissan Armada Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
17
Latest Jun 12, 2025
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
10
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2012 Nissan Armada, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Body & structure418.2%
  • Brakes418.2%
  • Fuel system418.2%
  • Electrical313.6%
  • Airbags29.1%
  • Driver assistance14.5%
  • Other / unspecified14.5%
  • Powertrain (other)14.5%
  • Suspension14.5%
  • Visibility14.5%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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.

NHTSA ID 11666584 · filed Jun 12, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID 11385710 · filed Dec 30, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 11329232 · filed Jun 16, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID 11186178 · filed Mar 12, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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.

NHTSA ID 11666584 · filed Jun 12, 2025

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

NHTSA ID 11654089 · filed Apr 11, 2025

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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.

NHTSA ID 11084195 · filed Apr 9, 2018

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?

NHTSA ID 11062336 · filed Jan 12, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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.

NHTSA ID 11516850 · filed Apr 13, 2023

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

NHTSA ID 11042877 · filed Nov 3, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 11329232 · filed Jun 16, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 10621277 · filed Aug 11, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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.

NHTSA ID 10726326 · filed Jun 20, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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.

NHTSA ID 11666584 · filed Jun 12, 2025

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 10621277 · filed Aug 11, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .