Sign inCreate free garage
Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2005 Nissan ArmadaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 373 owner complaints for the 2005 Nissan Armada. Most complaints involve service brakes (109) and service brakes, hydraulic (94). The EPA rates it 14 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
14mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Oct 2010
Owner complaints
373
Top: service brakes
Fuel cost / yr
$4,450est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Engine and engine cooling

Free remedy

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 ARMADA, TITAN, INFINITI QX56 AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 FRONTIER, PATHFINDER AND XTERRA VEHICLES. THE INTELLIGENT POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULE (IPDM) ASSEMBLY CONTAINS AN ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) RELAY THAT HAS A DIODE FOR ELECTRICAL CURRENT NOISE REDUCTION. THE ECM RELAY MAY ALLOW SILICON VAPOR TO FORM AND, OVER TIME, THE SILICON EVAPORATES FROM THE DIODE MOLDING WHICH CAUSES SILICON OXIDE TO DEVELOP ON THE ECM RELAY CONTACT DUE TO ARCING.

Engine and engine coolingReported Oct 28, 2010NHTSA 10V517000

Suspension: lower arm

Free remedy

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT AND REAR LOWER LINKS, P/NOS. 54501ZQ00A, 54500ZQ00A, 551A1ZQ00A, 551A0ZQ00A , 54501EA00A, 54500EA00A, 551A1EA500, 551A0EA500, 54501ZR00A, AND 54500ZR00A, SOLD BETWEEN NOVEMBER 25, 2009 AND MAY 14, 2010 AS REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2010 TITAN, ARMADA, AND QX56, AND MODEL YEARS 2005 THROUGH 2010 FRONTIER, XTERRA, AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL LINK ASSEMBLY HAS TWO CYLINDRICAL COLLARS FORMING THE INBOARD ATTACHMENT POINTS TO THE CHASSIS. DUE TO AN IMPROPER WELDING PROCESS SOME COLLARS MAY CONTAIN WELDS THAT DO NOT MEET STRENGTH SPECIFICATIONS.

SuspensionReported May 20, 2010NHTSA 10E019000

Fuel system

Free remedy

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2009 TITAN, ARMADA, AND INFINITI QX56 VEHICLES. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FUEL GAUGE MAY INACCURATELY DISPLAY THAT THE VEHICLE STILL HAS SOME FUEL, TYPICALLY ABOUT ONE QUARTER TANK, WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS EMPTY.

Fuel system, otherReported Mar 3, 2010NHTSA 10V074000
See all 5 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

373 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2005 – Aug 2024
  1. Service brakes109
  2. Service brakes, hydraulic94
  3. Fuel/propulsion system43
  4. Air bags34
  5. Engine and engine cooling28
  6. Electrical system24
  7. Fuel system, gasoline24
  8. Power train16
  9. Fuel system, other13

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Armada model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2005373
2006266
200786
2008161
200923
201048
201140
201217
201317
201413
201521
201781
201876
201980
202010
202113
202210
20235
20244
202522
20269
Crashes reported
8
Fires reported
5
Injuries reported
7
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Service brakes

109 reports4 crashes1 fire
“My breaking system has a malfunction that comes on and off. Sometimes the brakes automatically stop working and start grinding as if I have no brakes, but when I brought it to be looked at they couldn't find the problem. I notice that when you turn the car off and turn it back on the problems of sides for a little while will eventually come back later. For someone to detect it, they cannot shut the car off at the time that is presenting itself.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 5, 2024Seat belts, Service brakesODI 11575580

Service brakes, hydraulic

94 reports
“ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS STARTING JULY 2011 AND ENDING MARCH 2015, THE BRAKES FAILED AFTER VDC/ABS/SLIP WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED ON A 2005 NISSAN ARMADA. ON ONE OF THE OCCASIONS, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR WITH LITTLE RESISTANCE. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP CAUSING IT TO GO THROUGH A BUSY INTERSECTION AND JUST MISSED BEING STRUCK BY A TRACTOR TRAILER. SPENT OVER $2000.00 IN REPAIRS AND THE PROBLEMS PERSIST. I NO LONGER FEEL SAVE IN DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND FINALLY SOLD IT AT A LOST. *JS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 23, 2015Service brakes, hydraulic, Electrical systemODI 10701580

Fuel/propulsion system

43 reports1 crash
“For several years now since I received this car from a family member gas gauge has been not working I contacted Nissan they said my year or VIN number was it affected but that's not accurate because it is so what can I do”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 1, 2024Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11580356
All 2005 Armada problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
5.6L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 5-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Armada 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.60 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
121814$4,450635
Armada 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.60 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
121714$4,450635
  • Armada 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.60 L
    12 city · 18 hwy · $4,450/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
  • Armada 4WD
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.60 L
    12 city · 17 hwy · $4,450/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2005 Nissan Armada as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 1425
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2005 Armada questions

How many recalls does the 2005 Nissan Armada have?

5 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2005 Nissan Armada problems?

Owners filed 373 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes (109), service brakes, hydraulic (94), fuel/propulsion system (43). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2005 Nissan Armada get?

The EPA rates the 2005 Nissan Armada at 14 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026