Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2011 Nissan ArmadaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 40 owner complaints for the 2011 Nissan Armada. Most complaints involve engine (9) and electrical system (6). The EPA rates it 14–15 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
14–15mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Feb 2023
Owner complaints
40
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$4,150est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · 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
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

40 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2011 – Mar 2025
  1. Engine9
  2. Electrical system6
  3. Service brakes6
  4. Suspension5
  5. Wheels4
  6. Steering4
  7. Air bags4
  8. Seats3
  9. Structure2

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
2
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
1
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

Engine

9 reports
“Cracked exhaust manifolds, as a safety issue, Exhaust gasses can enter the drivers compartment. Nissan has know about this issue for years, it is a defect, it is a very big issue with a very large percent of vehicles with this issue. Please issue a recall, so the manufacture pays for it and not the owner.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 14, 2022EngineODI 11484519

Electrical system

6 reports1 fire
“The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Armada. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal burning odor coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that one day, upon exiting the vehicle with the engine running, there was heavy black smoke coming from the front passenger’s seat. The contact alerted the business at her location about the failure and obtained buckets of water to assist the contact. The contact used a knife to cut out parts of the seat and poured water directly on the smoke. Once the Fire Department arrived at the scene, the smoke was extinguished, and the vehicle was inspected to ensure that there was no presence of a fire. No injuries were reported. The contact was not informed if a fire report was filed. The contact stated that the driver’s side seat warmer was activated at the time of the failure; however, the passenger’s side seat was not occupied, and the seat warmer should not have been activated. Despite the failure, the contact resumed normal operation of the vehicle. The contact called the dealer and was referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 19, 2025Electrical system, SeatsODI 11649223

Service brakes

6 reports2 crashes
“My 2011 Nissan Armada started shaking very badly 8 months ago. Around that same time I had all 4 tires replaced. I took the car back to the place that put my new tires on (National Tire and Battery) and was told that the rack and pinion assembly needed to be replaced. They wanted $800-900 for the repair and to leave my car for 3 days which I could not do due to having only one vehicle. I took my car to a mechanic that dealt with electrical issues as well (Motions Automotive). They did what I felt like was a quick fix because the owner told the mechanic what he needed to do but the mechanic did a ride along with me, vocally stated what he wanted to do and reassured me he would do his best but the owner took precedence. Something was done to my air compressor(s) and it lasted a little over a week then went back to violently shaking every time I hit a bump or pot hole as well as the car taking a while to come to a complete stop. That happened from the beginning and I took it to the Nissan dealership twice and was told that’s normal. I have to stop far off from a stop sign or light to stop in time or just fly through. All of the recalls that the 2010 Armada has is…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 27, 2024Steering, Suspension, Service brakesODI 11574145
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 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 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, 5.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
131915$4,150592
Armada 2WD FFV
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
131915$4,150592
Armada 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.6 L · 4-Wheel Drive
121814$4,450635
Armada 4WD FFV
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.6 L · 4-Wheel Drive
121814$4,450635
  • Armada 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.6 L
    13 city · 19 hwy · $4,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • Armada 2WD FFV
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.6 L
    13 city · 19 hwy · $4,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • Armada 4WD
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.6 L
    12 city · 18 hwy · $4,450/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
  • Armada 4WD FFV
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.6 L
    12 city · 18 hwy · $4,450/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
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

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2011 Nissan Armada as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 668Vehicle 360
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

2011 Armada questions

How many recalls does the 2011 Nissan Armada have?

1 safety recall 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 2011 Nissan Armada problems?

Owners filed 40 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (9), electrical system (6), service brakes (6). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2011 Nissan Armada get?

The EPA rates the 2011 Nissan Armada at 14–15 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026