Total Complaints
60 filings
NISSAN ARMADA · model year
60 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash reports, and 1 recall campaign listed for this cohort. A VIN lookup is required to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2011NISSANARMADA carries 60 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 4 crashes, 4 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall Not Rated/5 rating, with Not Rated/5 front crash, Not Rated/5 side crash, and 3/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.
The most frequently selected component label in reports for the 2011 ARMADA is engine with 9 filings, followed by electrical system (6) and service brakes (6). Complaint categories reflect owner reports and intake categorization; they do not establish a defect pattern or cause. This cohort has 1 NHTSA recall campaign listed below. Enter a VIN in NHTSA's official recall lookup to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
NHTSA currently has 55 investigation files overlapping the 2011 ARMADA, and 6 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should read the complaint-by-year trend as report volume, not a causal diagnosis. Use the related-complaint feed and the official recall lookup when researching a specific vehicle.
Total Complaints
60 filings
Crashes Reported
4 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ENGINE | 9 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 6 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 6 |
| SUSPENSION | 5 |
| WHEELS | 4 |
| STEERING | 4 |
| AIR BAGS | 4 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 3 |
| POWER TRAIN | 2 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 2 |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER | 2 |
| VISIBILITY | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 1 |
| PARKING BRAKE:DRIVELINE:HYDRAULIC:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | 1 |
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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.
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 re
Mileage: 200,000
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 re
Mileage: 200,000
The rear crossmember subframe on my vehicle is completely rusted out which caused serious suspension issue and cause the control arm to be in contact with the fuel tank. It didnt go through the tank because i found the issue on time and stopped driving the vehicle but it caused damage to the tank. If I didnt stop driving the car it was just a matter of time before the control arm perforated the tank, which could have been a lot worse with a risk of fire. This looks to be a common issue with Nissan cars so I’m not sure how there is no recall for it. I keep the vehicle maintained properly and bring it to the dealer for repairs. The dealer also performed a lot of work on the rear suspension of my car a couple of years ago but never mentioned anything to me about this major rust on the crossmember subframe.
The rear crossmember subframe on my vehicle is completely rusted out which caused serious suspension issue and cause the control arm to be in contact with the fuel tank. It didnt go through the tank because i found the issue on time and stopped driving the vehicle but it caused damage to the tank. If I didnt stop driving the car it was just a matter of time before the control arm perforated the tank, which could have been a lot worse with a risk of fire. This looks to be a common issue with Nissan cars so I’m not sure how there is no recall for it. I keep the vehicle maintained properly and bring it to the dealer for repairs. The dealer also performed a lot of work on the rear suspension of my car a couple of years ago but never mentioned anything to me about this major rust on the crossmember subframe.
The rear crossmember subframe on my vehicle is completely rusted out which caused serious suspension issue and cause the control arm to be in contact with the fuel tank. It didnt go through the tank because i found the issue on time and stopped driving the vehicle but it caused damage to the tank. If I didnt stop driving the car it was just a matter of time before the control arm perforated the tank, which could have been a lot worse with a risk of fire. This looks to be a common issue with Nissan cars so I’m not sure how there is no recall for it. I keep the vehicle maintained properly and bring it to the dealer for repairs. The dealer also performed a lot of work on the rear suspension of my car a couple of years ago but never mentioned anything to me about this major rust on the crossmember subframe.
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
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
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
On a short drive back home on a sunny warm day and was going relatively slow (~20 MPH) and tried to slow down to make a turn. The pedal went to the ground and braking was ineffective (slowed down 2 or 3 mph every time I hit the brakes). Seems like the ABS was kicking in, even though we were not sliding. I was just trying to slow down. I was finally able to slow down and stop the vehicle and I pulled off the side of the road to inspect. The "BRAKE" light was illuminated even though the parking brake was off, so I thought there must be a trouble code. I had my code reader with me. I read the code reported from the vehicle. Which was C1179, a malfunction with the delta sensor. I looked over the vehicle and brake fluid looked good. Brakes were not hot, no signs of any brake problems. I did not clear any codes or reset anything but the car drove normally the rest of the way home. No problems the next day either. This issue must be intermittent but it is scary. If these br
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.
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.
The Electrical components went out in the steering wheel. 1st the radio and controls went out and then the horn eventually stopped working, had to pay $300 for the part itself and even the dealership didnt have it I had to order from a specialty shop. Took all day to repair. The airbag light is constantly on but there is nothing wrong with the air bag and has been reset but it stays on. The driver side window wont roll up half the time the electrical component has went out. Sometimes it rolls down by itself. Headlights have water in them and hard to keep out after replacing them. After only having it a few months had to replace the engine bc it kept smoking. Thank goodness for warranties and at 1st they wasnt going to replace it.
The Electrical components went out in the steering wheel. 1st the radio and controls went out and then the horn eventually stopped working, had to pay $300 for the part itself and even the dealership didnt have it I had to order from a specialty shop. Took all day to repair. The airbag light is constantly on but there is nothing wrong with the air bag and has been reset but it stays on. The driver side window wont roll up half the time the electrical component has went out. Sometimes it rolls down by itself. Headlights have water in them and hard to keep out after replacing them. After only having it a few months had to replace the engine bc it kept smoking. Thank goodness for warranties and at 1st they wasnt going to replace it.
The Electrical components went out in the steering wheel. 1st the radio and controls went out and then the horn eventually stopped working, had to pay $300 for the part itself and even the dealership didnt have it I had to order from a specialty shop. Took all day to repair. The airbag light is constantly on but there is nothing wrong with the air bag and has been reset but it stays on. The driver side window wont roll up half the time the electrical component has went out. Sometimes it rolls down by itself. Headlights have water in them and hard to keep out after replacing them. After only having it a few months had to replace the engine bc it kept smoking. Thank goodness for warranties and at 1st they wasnt going to replace it.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN ARMADA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLAMP WAS NOT PROPERLY SEALED ALLOWING MOISTURE AND WATER TO ENTER THE HEADLAMP HOUSING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO #1 COCHRAN NISSAN OF SOUTH HILLS (3200 W. LIBERTY AVE, PITTSBURGH, PA 15216, (412) 245-4540) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE FRONT HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 51,000.
Mileage: 51,000
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.
Mileage: 170,000
ENGINE MAKING A TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE RIGHT SIDE. BELIEVE IT'S THE MANIFOLD BEING CRACKED
MY VEHICLE WILL NOT START ( SOMETIMES) IF MY FRONT WHEELS ARE TURNED LEFT OR RIGHT WHEN PARKED. FORCING THE STEERING WHEEL TO ALIGN WHEELS STRAIGHT AHEAD IT WILL START.
Mileage: 80,000
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.
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.
Mileage: 140,000
Fuel smell and loss of motive power
Driver Airbag Inflator Rupture
Inner Tie Rod Failures
Side curtain air bags may deploy inadvertently
Reduced Power After Engine Stall
Data vintage: August 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Every figure on PlainCars is rendered directly from NHTSA complaint and safety data, no number is typed in by an editor. This year-specific record is rendered from NHTSA ODI, recall, and NCAP rows for the 2011 NISSAN ARMADA; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.