2011 Nissan Armada: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 40 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine (16% of complaints); the 2009 and 2012 and 2013 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Feb 2023
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 40 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“This is a structural issue. The panel on the side between the windshield and the front door windows are too wide. It causes a blindspot. If pedestrians are standing a just the right position of where this panel blocks the pedestrians can not be seen. Every time before turning I have to physically lean forward to lean back to see if someone is in the blindspot. On 3 occasions, I came very close to hitting pedestrians who were in the blindspot and I could not see. One of which were 3 people one being a child. I am not able to see them until I begin my turn and then have to slam on the brakes once they are in my view.”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Mar 2023
“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 report · Engine · Mar 2022
“Tl* the contact owns a 2011 nissan armada. The contact's wife stopped at an intersection and when she proceeded to drive the vehicle, the rear driver's side wheel twisted. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact stated that the rear driver's side wheel well was rusted. The control arm was replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but informed that the vehicle was over the warranty and offered no assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.”Owner report · Structure · Feb 2021
Show 7 more owner reports
“The vehicle airbag light is flashing on the dash. The dealership found an error code 'b1054' which indicates a driver airbag module problem. Service department cleared the code but it has since returned. Repair has not been performed but service notes indicate a possible clock spring/spiral cable replacement. This a $900 part + $400 labor fees the consumer is left to pay for a safety feature that is supposed to come with the vehicle.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2019
“During a family camping trip, towing a camper, at ~54,000 miles the exhaust broke off the vehicle at the mounting flange just behind the muffler. This caused exhaust to heat the floorboards just at the 3rd row seats, melting the plastic cover to the mounting bolts of the seat to the floor, and melting the carpet in the same area, and filling the cab with melting plastic fumes. It also melted the rear air-ride suspension air line, causing the system to be in-operable while towing and off balance loading while driving.”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2018
“My nissan armada caught fire. My front driver seat got very hot to the point of burning. Pulled over to get an application for my child's daycare. Pulled my son or to go with me and left my daughter in the car watching a movie while I went in by the time I reached the door I hear my kids yelling. I turned and looked the car was filed with smoke. Thank god for good hearted people that help me get the kid's out the car. I'm contacting a lawyer about this.”Owner report · Seats · Feb 2018
“The air bag light continues to flash. I called the dealer and they said that the cost to look at it is $150.00 and the repair cost can be up to $1800.00.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2017
“Ac motor blower failing. Transmission failure on highway 35n radiator leak to transmission. Smell transmission oils engine light on rpm high/35 to 40 mph nissan armada 2011 /79000 mile”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2011 nissan armada. After starting the vehicle, a ticking noise was heard coming from the engine compartment. Also, the vehicle would not accelerate properly and stalled on multiple occasions. The vehicle was taken to nissan of lake norman (18615 statesville rd, cornelius, nc) to be diagnosed, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the exhaust manifold was cracked. The manifold was replaced, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000. The VIN was invalid.”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2017
“Steering wheel controls for radio have not worked in 5yrs, the cruise control stopped working last yrs. 2016 and the horn works when it wants to, most of the time it does not work.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2017
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's airbag cover. Owner letters were mailed December 8, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall are PC944, PC945, and PC946.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2011 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Armada by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2011 Nissan Armada reliable?
NHTSA has 40 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2011 Nissan Armada. The most complained-about area is engine (16% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2011 Nissan Armada problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 55,000 miles or less.
Does the 2011 Nissan Armada have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.