2018 Nissan Armada Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2018 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
- Electrical4040.4%
- Engine1414.1%
- Brakes1414.1%
- Driver assistance77.1%
- Powertrain (other)77.1%
- Exterior lighting66.1%
- Fuel system44.0%
- Visibility22.0%
- Airbags22.0%
- Body & structure11.0%
- Suspension11.0%
- Interior & seats11.0%
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
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
My 2018 Nissan Armada has had SO MANY issues (probably 15-20) with not starting when cranked. Something is draining its battery. We have had to change the battery so many times (usually 2-3 times every year or two.) This happens without any notice! We have been stranded in other cities, stores, &/or at work. We have tried having it checked out by different repair shops, replacing batteries in key fob, replacing battery MANY TIMES, and checking the brake pedal switch. We are at our Witt’s end with Nissans!
See attached document for complaint.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
My 2018 Nissan Armada has had SO MANY issues (probably 15-20) with not starting when cranked. Something is draining its battery. We have had to change the battery so many times (usually 2-3 times every year or two.) This happens without any notice! We have been stranded in other cities, stores, &/or at work. We have tried having it checked out by different repair shops, replacing batteries in key fob, replacing battery MANY TIMES, and checking the brake pedal switch. We are at our Witt’s end with Nissans!
UNKNOWN - engine developed knock that could potentially lead to catastrophic engine failure during normal driving conditions, causing loss of control or inability to stop. NTB19-057a is a technical service bulletin issued by manufacturer - cylinder 7 scuffing with a short block or complete engine replacement as the fix. Manufacturer will not replace engine outside of vehicle warranty period, even with documented maintenance proving engine failure is not due to lack of being maintained.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
There is a common known issue with the Armadas that Nissan has not addressed, where you will randomly get a "BCI Malfunction" warning, sometimes corresponding to a warning about the ABS System. The car will not shift out of the current gear when this happens, until you turn it off and back on again. If you are really unlucky, like I am, this will progress to the car randomly applying the brakes and initiating hard stops, in traffic. This happened to me two days ago in traffic and I narrowly escaped an accident. I had to get the car towed home and it still intermittently does this. The brakes locked up so badly that the car was covered in smoke and appeared to be on fire. This is terribly unsafe, and Nissan needs to fix it, because it is more likely that an Armada owner WILL encounter this, than that they won't, and people are going to be injured and/or killed, if they have not already. This is very serious. Please help.
No start, no codes. Have replaced brake switch several times and it fixes it for a bit and then happens again. I have read several forums and it seems to be a commen issue but no recalls for fault. 2018 nissan armada platinum. Shouldn't have to keep replacing switch.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
BCI (Back-up Collision Intervention) Malfunction. It's random when this comes up on the dashboard warning lights. It lights up several other things as well. It doesn't allow you to use the cruise control, or the 4-wheel drive. It disables the ABS and traction control. I don't know how this is not a recall, because I see several forums talking about this issue for this vehicle specifically in this year. We took it to the dealership, and they brushed it off, and claimed they didn't know how to fix it. It has caused multiple problems and has put my family at harms risk due to it disabling the safety features.
Camera/navigation randomly cycling, not dependable with alerts and crash detection. Has caused several close calls.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
TCC slips, RPMs are all over the place at light throttle between 15-40mph. Believed to be an issue with the torque converter, known to Nissan.
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Armada. The contact stated that while shifted in reverse, the vehicle failed to respond; however, the vehicle was able to drive forward. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The mechanic, who was a former mechanic with Nissan, informed the contact that it was known failure with the Nissan transmission, and that the shifter was unable to shift into reverse. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the transmission replacement was not covered under warranty or recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
The dashboard instrument panel lighting has begun to go dark. It started with a section of the odometer going dark and has since spread to a lot of the instrument panel. After researching it further it is a known issue among other Armada owners. It poses a safety risk as you can no longer glance at the panel to get information, but instead must look for a longer period of time to see the gauges. Below is a link to others who have experienced the same issue. I wrote Nissan about the issue and have not received a response. Thanks for your time and attention. Sincerely, [XXX] https://www.clubarmada.com/threads/speedometer-lights-from-0-20mph-out.86969/page-2 INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Parts of the dash lights are not illuminated. Seems to be a trend on the 2017-2018 models according to forms I have read. Dash replacements are roughly $1200 not including labor. Kind of steep to expect customers to pay with as many customers having the same issue.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
Well wife was driving car on her way to work and it shut off in the middle of traffic. Was no sure what was wrong until I brought it home and started reading the codes. It gave me P0087 P0090 low fuel pressure regulater circuit open and P119C. So I changed out the sensor the in tank fuel pump, high pressure fuel pump and sensor on the evap can. Car still will not start. So I bought a wiring diagram to see were everything was routed and found out the have a built in fuel relay so I bought a new PCM that didn't work so then I found out it there was a fuel pump controller module so change that and still not cranking. Fuel pump flows fuel for a second then shuts off. Now I am not sure what to do now. Truck has been down for 3 weeks now. And been have to renting a car since then.
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Armada. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled several times after refueling. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the fuel pump was faulty and needed to be replaced. The fuel pump was replaced. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The contact was informed that the year, make, and model were not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V676000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 157,000.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Armada. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the multi-AV display control unit would not display an image, and the driver was unable to control the front windshield defroster. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the control unit was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.
We have a Nissan Armada that the Multi AV unit / computer has failed (Part # given to us is 283876GY4D). The vehicle is barely 4 years old. We were quoted a $3,800 repair and Nissan has told us there is no help they can provide. Despite having purchased a 7 year 100,000 mile limited warranty this part isn't covered. Investigating online into the issue we have found that this component is problematic in many vehicles and has service bulletins associated with it. Nissan is stating that because it is GPS, Radio, and cabin comfort it is not a safety issue. HOWEVER, it goes beyond that. We have stated several times to Nissan, that as this unit continuously reboots and malfunctions the windshield defrost / fog clearing aspect of the vehicle does not work. We have had several instances where we've had to pull over in less than desirable locations in order to manually clear our windshield. As the windshield fogs up, you can't see. Given our climate and terrain, the windshield inside can fog up instantly and without warning. If the defrost isn't working, we have to clear the windshield with a towel. This generally is a multi-stop event as it does not stay cleared very well without proper airflow. ALSO, the constant rebooting of the display unit is a serious distraction to the driver. The screen continuously cycles through multiple screens and the day night recognition function does not work. So if it is night time, the bright screen continuously reboots in front of your face. It is unacceptable in a 4 year old vehicle to have these issues and Nissan offer NOTHING and not acknowledge the fact that their vehicles have a serious safety issue. This part is a problem and no amount of "normal wear and tear" explains its failure. It is simply a faulty component from the manufacturer. My wife regularly has our 3 children in the car with her. It is not a good situation. Even if Nissan offered to pay for the part and I the labor I would be happy. To acknowledge nothing is unacceptable
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Armada. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the air bag warning light continually blinked off and on. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously service for the same failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.
Unknow
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
BOUGHT A NEW 2018 NISSAN ARMADA IN DEC 2018 IN THE EVENING. NOT THINKING MUCH ABOUT IT PURCHASED MY NEW SUV AND DROVE HOME. SHORTLY AFTER MY PURCHASE I NOTICED IN THE SUN THAT MY TRUCK PAINT DIDN'T LOOK QUITE RIGHT. AFTER WASHING I NOTICED A COUPLE PAINT CHIPS AROUND THE DOOR AREA THAT WERE QUITE SIGNIFICANT. CONTACTED NISSAN PROMPTLY ABOUT THIS ISSUE. AFTER TAKING TO A NISSAN COLLISION CENTER AND BEING TOLD ITS A BAD QUALITY PAINT AND WILL ONLY BE CORRECT WITH BEING STRIPPED DOWN TO THE METAL AND REDONE, THIS WAS COMPLETELY DISREGARDED BY NISSAN. THEY THEN SENT ME A "SPECIALIST" WHO TOLD ME THAT PAINT CHIPS ARE COMMON AND THAT MY ORANGE PEEL IS IN THE NEW BLACK ARMADA IS TO HELP HIDE IMPERFECTIONS. NISSAN WILL NOT WARRANTY ANYTHING. NISSAN IS SELLING AUTOS WITH INFERIOR PAINT QUALITY. I AM SEEKING LEGAL ADVICE AND THIS IS A LESSON LEARNED ABOUT NISSAN PRODUCTS.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
While traveling w/b on I78 into Pennsylvania I noticed my car suddenly veering to the left. I stopped at a toll booth to proceed to the next exit to check on the problem and as I accelerated out of the toll booth the car began to fishtail wildly. After being able to bring the car under control I pulled off to the shoulder expecting, from the sound of the scraping metal, to find a blown tire. When I checked on the r/r tire I noticed it seemed to have collapsed and that the lower control arm had broken from the frame of the car leaving the car inoperable. I had the car taken on a flatbed to the nearest Nissan dealership.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
See attached document for complaint.
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
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .