Research · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2018 Nissan ArmadaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 76 owner complaints for the 2018 Nissan Armada. Most complaints involve electrical system (41) and service brakes (15). The EPA rates it 15–16 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
15–16mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Sep 2019
Owner complaints
76
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,900est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Back over prevention: camera

Free remedy

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Back over preventionReported Sep 12, 2019NHTSA 19V654000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

76 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2017 – Oct 2026
  1. Electrical system41
  2. Service brakes15
  3. Engine14
  4. Power train7
  5. Exterior lighting6
  6. Back over prevention5
  7. Forward collision avoidance4
  8. Fuel system, gasoline3
  9. Air bags3

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
0
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

41 reports1 crash
“When starting vehicle, the AV screen turns on but the screen is black. The screen lighting still illuminates but no other functions appear. Camera still works and shows when reversing but no entertainment is available.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 27, 2026Electrical systemODI 11760137

Service brakes

15 reports2 crashes
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 24, 2025Service brakesODI 11682708

Engine

14 reports
“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!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 12, 2026Electrical system, EngineODI 11737392
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
5.6L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S7)
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 10, 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 (S7), 8 cyl, 5.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
141916$3,900555
Armada 4WD
Auto (S7), 8 cyl, 5.6 L · 4-Wheel Drive
131815$4,150587
  • Armada 2WD
    Auto (S7), 8 cyl, 5.6 L
    14 city · 19 hwy · $3,900/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Armada 4WD
    Auto (S7), 8 cyl, 5.6 L
    13 city · 18 hwy · $4,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Nissan Armada SUV RWD
Frontal crash
3 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
23.6%
Overall
4 / 5
Nissan Armada SUV AWD
Frontal crash
3 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
21.6%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 12622Vehicle 12621
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

2018 Armada questions

How many recalls does the 2018 Nissan Armada have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 10, 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 2018 Nissan Armada problems?

Owners filed 76 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (41), service brakes (15), engine (14). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2018 Nissan Armada get?

The EPA rates the 2018 Nissan Armada at 15–16 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2018 Nissan Armada?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2018 Nissan Armada 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026