2020 Nissan Armada: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 27 owner complaints on record; most reports concern electrical system; the 2021 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · 2 new complaints in the last 90 days · latest recall Jul 2026
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 27 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“In the 35 months that I have owned this vehicle I have had to replace a faulty brake light switch 9 times. I find this extremely unsafe as brake lights are a major saftey feature. This problem has been reproduced and confirmed by the dealer. I do not know if the component has been inspected by the manufacturer. There were warning lights with the vehicle forward looking radar for cruise control and swerve control. This first happened on August 9, 2023.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jun 2026
“Purchased this vehicle in August 2024. A month later car wouldn't start and the battery died. The dealership replaced it. 14 months later (October 2025) the car wouldn't start again. Engine light came on. We took it to warranty approved shop and they told us the battery had died. Again. 7 months later the car won't start. Engine light turned on. Took it to warranty approved shop and they said the battery had died again. The shop owner said it was related to a smart battery charger and it was draining our battery even when off. He mentioned this was common for 2020 Nissan Armada and the only solution was to keep replacing batteries every few months.”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2026
“on 12/13/25 at 2:30pm our vehicle slid on ice and we crashed into the front of a barrier. No deployment of airbags occurred but the impact was so severe it damaged the frame/suspension/radiator. Our insurance adjusted/police and tow yard were surprised that the airbags did not deploy.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2025
Show 7 more owner reports
“When driving home from work my car disengage cruise controlle and started flashing in my center concel BCI Malfunction. Since I makes it hard to start my car from time to time and it will randomly continue to flash BCI Malfunction”Owner report · Forward Collision Avoidance · Jun 2025
“No warning messages or signs. It has happened twice now. The rear suspension airbag leveling system has blown out. Two separate times. The suspension is now out on the rear of the vehicle which is a safety concern. Also, when the air bag does blow, it is loud and startling. When driving and it blows up, it is very startling and then you are driving with a trailer connected and a compromised rear suspension. The airbag had been replaced once. It is possibly being over inflated making the pump the problem potentially.”Owner report · Suspension · Jun 2025
“BCI Malfunction light has come on and is causing multiple other dash lights to appear as well. Turning the vehicle on/off doesn't work to reset it.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · May 2025
“I have had this issue more than 5 times. When I am driving my breaks will lock up like it detects something in the road. I have had cars stop and almost rear end me multiple times. It happens at speeds higher than 20. I am very worried for my safety and my children's safety in this vehicle.”Owner report · Forward Collision Avoidance · Apr 2024
“BCI Malfunction light will occasionally come on and dealer unable to explain why and when they have its led to brake swich. Twice in two years this has also led to them replacing the Brake switch in under 40K miles. now at 53 k miles brake switch is causing issues for the third time.”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2024
“BCI Malfunction out of nowhere on a newly dealer-purchased 2020 Nissan Armada with less than 80,000 miles, which is a KNOWN AND FREQUENT ISSUE on Nissan Armadas...and causes unsafe conditions such as random braking, failure to start, rough engine, rough shifting...and lights up the dashboard with BCI malfunction light, intelligent key warning light, vehicle dynamic control indicator light, BSI light, forward emergency braking warning light.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2023
“On multiple occasions, when I stop on stop sign or light and then start hitting gas the car won't move , engine turn off almost to the point where no sounds come off the engine. This happened on multiple occasions on high ways, in town and keeps happening. I took to Nissan service and I was told everything is fine . Then it keeps happening creating huge safety risks .”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2022
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Nissan Armada and 2020-2021 INFINITI QX80 vehicles equipped with V8 engines. The impeller can swell and bind within the fuel pump module, causing it to fail.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 4, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R21A2. Owners may contact INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200. INFINITI's number for this recall is R21A3.
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Nissan Armada, 2011-2013 Infiniti QX56, and 2014-2027 QX80 vehicles equipped with 22" wheels. The Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) listed on the certification label is incorrect, which can allow the vehicle to be overloaded. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Remedy: Dealers will install new labels, free of charge. Additionally, Nissan will mail replacement labels to owners. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed August 21, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's numbers for this recall are R26B1 and P6A13/4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 16, 2026.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2020 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 2020 Nissan Armada reliable?
NHTSA has 27 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2020 Nissan Armada. The most complained-about area is electrical system.
Does the 2020 Nissan Armada have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump:control/drive module. 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.