NISSAN ARMADA · model year

2020 NISSAN ARMADA

36 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

4 / 5 ★

New Car Assessment Program

The 2020NISSANARMADA carries 36 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 4/5 rating, with 3/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 3/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2020 ARMADA is unknown or other with 7 filings, followed by electrical system (7) and service brakes (6). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 54 investigation files overlapping the 2020 ARMADA, and 5 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

36
Complaints
3
Crashes
0
Fires
5
Injuries
0
Deaths
2020 NISSAN ARMADA — NHTSA crash-test profile NHTSA NCAP crash-test star ratings for the 2020 NISSAN ARMADA. Overall composite: 4.0 of 5 stars across 3 safety dimensions. Front CrashSide CrashRollover 4.0 NHTSA NCAP of 5 stars
  • Front Crash 3.0 ★
  • Side Crash 5.0 ★
  • Rollover 3.0 ★
NHTSA overall 4.0/5 stars, with front-crash, side-crash and rollover ratings from standardized NCAP barrier and dynamic tests.

Total Complaints

36 filings

Crashes Reported

3 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: 4/5 — Strong NCAP rating · Front: 3/5 · Side: 5/5 · Rollover: 3/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
UNKNOWN OR OTHER7
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM7
SERVICE BRAKES6
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING5
ENGINE4
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING1
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS1
SUSPENSION1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1
AIR BAGS1

Recalls (1)

21V37300020/05/2021

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP:CONTROL/DRIVE MODULE

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.

Recent Complaints

20251218CrashAIR BAGS

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.

20250802ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Here’s a full response you can paste into the NHTSA.gov form text box that directly answers all of the questions shown in your screenshot: ⸻ Component/System: The battery and electrical charging system on my 2020 Nissan Armada have repeatedly failed. The vehicle experiences sudden and unexplained battery drain even after regular driving. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: This issue has caused my vehicle to fail to start on at least five separate occasions over the past month. I have been stranded in public places, including with my children, and now must carry a battery jump starter at all times. This is a safety concern, especially if the failure happens at night, in a remote location, during extreme weather, or in an emergency. The vehicle cannot be trusted to start reliably, putting me and others at risk. Confirmed by Dealer or Service Center: Not yet. I have not reported this specific battery issue to the dealership yet, as I have been track

20250802FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Absolutely. Here is the revised, anonymous version of your NHTSA complaint about the acceleration and incline issue—with all identifying info removed: ⸻ Component/System: Engine performance and drivetrain. My 2020 Nissan Armada experiences repeated loss of power when accelerating, especially on inclines or under load. The RPMs spike erratically, but the vehicle does not gain speed and often slows down unexpectedly. This condition has persisted despite a prior repair and continues to occur. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. ⸻ Safety Risk: This issue places me and my children at serious risk while driving. The vehicle slows down when acceleration is needed most—such as when merging onto highways or climbing hills—creating a real danger of rear-end collisions or failed merges. The erratic RPM surges add instability and make it unsafe to rely on the vehicle in critical traffic situations like passing or freeway driving. ⸻ Confirmed by Dealer or Service

20250725ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The electrical system and battery/charging system of my 2020 Nissan Armada have repeatedly failed. The vehicle experiences unexplained battery drain, even after extended driving. The issue is ongoing and the vehicle is currently connected to a trickle charger in my garage to remain operational. I am willing to make the vehicle available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? This defect has caused my vehicle to become inoperable without warning, leaving me stranded multiple times, including once after work at night. I now must carry a portable jump starter at all times. This is a serious safety concern, especially if the battery failure were to occur in a remote area, during extreme weather, or in an emergency situation. I can no longer rely on my vehicle to start normally. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or indepen

20250724FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

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

20250724SERVICE BRAKES

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

20250724UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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

20250616UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Component/System: Ignition system (brake switch/start button malfunction) and power door locks Available for inspection: Yes, both issues are ongoing and can be demonstrated at any time. Description of the Problem: My 2020 Nissan Armada Platinum is experiencing two serious and well-documented issues that I believe pose a clear safety threat, especially to families like mine. First, the push-button start system regularly fails. Despite pressing the brake, the vehicle won’t start unless I exit the car, lock it, and use remote start. This is a ridiculous, repeated workaround that I’ve had to normalize—sometimes in public places or when I’m in a rush with my children in the car. After doing research, I discovered this is directly tied to a faulty brake switch—a widely reported issue among Armada owners. The problem began sporadically in late 2023 and has become more frequent since. There are no warning lights, no diagnostic codes, no notice. Dealers acknowledge the issue but Niss

20250601SUSPENSION

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.

20250509UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

20250305SERVICE BRAKES

BCI malfunction message, sudden braking, mulitple dashboard warnings lights

20250305FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

BCI malfunction message, sudden braking, mulitple dashboard warnings lights

20250305ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

BCI malfunction message, sudden braking, mulitple dashboard warnings lights

20240818ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

car solely runs on battery, and has no way to determan true state of how far battery is charge , reg car batterys are made to start run car and be charge not run on . so in 3 years battery will fail, now nissian will tell you put agm battery in car to solve probem, car was never built to support a agm battery , charing specks of car and rechargine specks of battery not compatable, but with 2019 recall wich my car was not part of but was built in 2019 , and has same computer, probem was never fix, they recoded the computer so this probem gose away for year or two then battery has be replace at 600.00 each unless u recharge it every two weeks manualy, the aulternaor stay off doing driveing, or if driven less 8 miles, if battery failes there no way control car as how ault works nissian cant tell no one it will run car, and it wont, i had car running in driveway unplug neg wire wile running car shut down, this now becomes huge consern , the ault needs be incress to 250 amps and wireing ha

20240430ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

20240430UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

20240429FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

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.

20230919ENGINE

The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Armada. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the charcoal canister purge valve. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to another dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the fuel pump and O-ring. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who determined that the fuel cap needed to be replaced. The failure reoccurred, with the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer to be diagnosed. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that there was a failure with the battery. The contact was informed that a larger battery was required. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was 74,000.

Mileage: 74,000

20230729FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

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.

20230729ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

Compare 2020NISSANARMADA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 5 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2020 NISSAN ARMADA have?
The 2020 NISSAN ARMADA has 36 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2020 NISSAN ARMADA?
The 2020 NISSAN ARMADA received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 4/5, front crash rating of 3/5, side crash rating of 5/5, and rollover rating of 3/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2020 NISSAN ARMADA?
Yes, the 2020 NISSAN ARMADA has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP:CONTROL/DRIVE MODULE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 NISSAN ARMADA?
The most-complained component for the 2020 NISSAN ARMADA is UNKNOWN OR OTHER with 7 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and SERVICE BRAKES.
Is the 2020 NISSAN ARMADA safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2020 NISSAN ARMADA has an NHTSA safety rating of 4/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. 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.