Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2008 Nissan ArmadaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 161 owner complaints for the 2008 Nissan Armada. Most complaints involve service brakes (57) and structure (39). The EPA rates it 14 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
14mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
7campaigns
Latest Feb 2023
Owner complaints
161
Top: service brakes
Fuel cost / yr
$4,600est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Air bags: frontal

Free remedy

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2008-2011 Titan, Frontier, Xterra, Pathfinder, Armada, and 2008-2009 Quest vehicles. The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may develop cracks and detach during air bag deployment.

Air bagsReported Feb 10, 2023NHTSA 23V067000

Air bags: side

Free remedy

NISSAN IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2008 NISSAN ARMADA AND INFINITI QX56 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 7, 2007 THROUGH FEBRUARY 14, 2007. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION A-PILLAR FINISHER MIGHT IMPEDE THE CORRECT INFLATION OF THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG NEAR THE UPPER PORTION OF THE B-PILLAR.

Air bagsReported Jul 22, 2010NHTSA 10V349000

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
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

161 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2008 – Jul 2026
  1. Service brakes57
  2. Structure39
  3. Electrical system23
  4. Fuel/propulsion system12
  5. Air bags11
  6. Suspension11
  7. Service brakes, hydraulic9
  8. Visibility4
  9. Fuel system, gasoline3

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
201979
202010
202113
202210
20235
20244
202521
20269
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
7
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Service brakes

57 reports
“WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION DURING HIGHWAY TRAVEL AND CITY TRAVEL BRAKE LIGHT ON THE CONTROL PANEL WILL COME RANDOMLY COME ON. WHEN APPLYING BRAKES AFTER LIGHT HAS ILLUMINATED THERE WILL BE SEVERE VIBRATION AND GRINDING WHEN YOU PRESS THE BRAKES. THIS BEHAVIOR IN THE VEHICLE WILL CONTINUE UNTIL THE IGNITION HAS BEEN TURNED OFF AND THEN RESTARTED WHICH SEEMS TO RESET THE BRAKES, DISCONTINUE THE LIGHT AND RESUMES NORMAL OPERATION. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE LIGHT HAS COME ON WHILE VEHICLE IS PARKED BUT STILL RUNNING. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 28, 2021Service brakesODI 11414223

Structure

39 reports
“BOTH INTERIOR OVERHEAD CONSOLES ARE CRACKED AND NOW THE REAR SIDE OVERHEAD CONSOLE COMPLETELY CRACKED AND NOW THE CONSOLE AS WELL IT CRACKED. THE PLASTIC IS MADE LIKE SAND, IF YOU JUST TOUCH IT, IT WILL BREAK OFF.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 21, 2019StructureODI 11269966

Electrical system

23 reports1 fire
“THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FUEL GAUGE IS INACCURATELY DISPLAYING THAT THE VEHICLE STILL HAS SOME FUEL, TYPICALLY ABOUT ONE QUARTER TANK, WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS EMPTY. It is the same as the recall for Nissan Armada’s with other VIN numbers, however it doesn’t cover mine, despite matching the year of manufacture, description, and diagnosis of issue. I am asking that the VIN numbers be updated to include mine. Also, under the “status” panel of my electronic display, it’s shows 70-80~ miles left of driving range before running out of fuel.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 4, 2023Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11553590
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 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 Oct 27, 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, 5.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
121814$4,600635
Armada 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.6 L, RNG390 · Rear-Wheel Drive
121814$4,600635
Armada 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.6 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
121714$4,600635
Armada 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.6 L, RNG390 · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
121714$4,600635
  • Armada 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.6 L
    12 city · 18 hwy · $4,600/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
  • Armada 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.6 L, RNG390
    12 city · 18 hwy · $4,600/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
  • Armada 4WD
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.6 L
    12 city · 17 hwy · $4,600/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
  • Armada 4WD
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.6 L, RNG390
    12 city · 17 hwy · $4,600/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 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 2008 Nissan Armada as of Oct 27, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 2676
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

2008 Armada questions

How many recalls does the 2008 Nissan Armada have?

7 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 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 2008 Nissan Armada problems?

Owners filed 161 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes (57), structure (39), electrical system (23). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2008 Nissan Armada get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Nissan Armada at 14 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026