2005 Nissan Armada

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2005 Nissan Armada
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Complaints
373
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 2005

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

60% of complaints

Complaints per year

2004: 464 complaints 2005: 373 complaints 2005 373 2006: 266 complaints 2007: 86 complaints 2008: 161 complaints 2009: 23 complaints 2010: 48 complaints 2010 2011: 40 complaints 2012: 17 complaints 2013: 17 complaints 2013 2014: 12 complaints 2015: 21 complaints 2016: 1 complaint 2016 2017: 81 complaints 2018: 75 complaints 2019: 77 complaints 2019 2020: 27 complaints 2021: 13 complaints 2022: 8 complaints 2022 2023: 5 complaints 2024: 4 complaints 2025: 20 complaints 2025 2026: 8 complaints
2004: 464 complaints 2005: 373 complaints 2005 373 2006: 266 complaints 2007: 86 complaints 2008: 161 complaints 2008 2009: 23 complaints 2010: 48 complaints 2010 2011: 40 complaints 2012: 17 complaints 2012 2013: 17 complaints 2014: 12 complaints 2014 2015: 21 complaints 2016: 1 complaint 2016 2017: 81 complaints 2018: 75 complaints 2018 2019: 77 complaints 2020: 27 complaints 2020 2021: 13 complaints 2022: 8 complaints 2022 2023: 5 complaints 2024: 4 complaints 2024 2025: 20 complaints 2026: 8 complaints 2026
2004: 464 complaints 2004 2005: 373 complaints 2005 373 2006: 266 complaints 2006 2007: 86 complaints 2007 2008: 161 complaints 2008 2009: 23 complaints 2009 2010: 48 complaints 2010 2011: 40 complaints 2011 2012: 17 complaints 2012 2013: 17 complaints 2013 2014: 12 complaints 2014 2015: 21 complaints 2015 2016: 1 complaint 2016 2017: 81 complaints 2017 2018: 75 complaints 2018 2019: 77 complaints 2019 2020: 27 complaints 2020 2021: 13 complaints 2021 2022: 8 complaints 2022 2023: 5 complaints 2023 2024: 4 complaints 2024 2025: 20 complaints 2025 2026: 8 complaints 2026

2005: 373 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
2004464
2005373
2006266
200786
2008161
200923
201048
201140
201217
201317
201412
201521
20161
201781
201875
201977
202027
202113
20228
20235
20244
202520
20268

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Service brakes

60% · 225 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The brakes light comes on frequently and brakes stop working properly when going over a bump in the road decrease speed then engine fails. Has to be turned off then on to start engine.

NHTSA ODI report, 2022-10-08

We bought this car in 2010 and had been very happy with it. 2-3 times over the first 3 years of ownership this happened, but always at very slow speed right after leaving our driveway. Problem was corrected by turning the car off and back on.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-09-18

My breaking system has a malfunction that comes on and off. Sometimes the brakes automatically stop working and start grinding as if I have no brakes, but when I brought it to be looked at they couldn't find the problem.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-03-05

Also filed under Seat belts

Fuel/propulsion system

12% · 43 reports
CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

For several years now since I received this car from a family member gas gauge has been not working I contacted Nissan they said my year or VIN number was it affected but that's not accurate because it is so what can I…

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-04-01

Air bags

9% · 34 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owned a 2005 Nissan Armada. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, his steering wheel was locked without warning. Due to the failure, the contact veered off the road and hit two parked vehicles.

NHTSA ODI report, 2021-08-17

Also filed under Steering

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 Nissan Armada. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the contact's vehicle was involved in a head-on collision. The vehicle was not able to be driven and the air bags failed to deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2007-06-25

Engine and engine cooling

8% · 29 reports

Most commonly citing engine and manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe.

Fuel system, gasoline

6% · 24 reports

Most commonly citing fuel pump.

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2005Complaint volume 373 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2007-08-17Equipment07E046000 Certain hopkins aftermarket trailer brake control connection harnesses sold for use on certain models of Nissan vehicles which are listed above. The internal part numbers within hopkins are…

    Remedy: Hopkins will notify owners and replace the original harness with a revised harness free of charge. The recall began August 17, 2007. Owners can contact hopkins at 800-835-0129.

  3. I
    2008-01-25Preliminary evaluationClosed 2008-05-30 Side air bag non-deployment
  4. I
    2008-05-30Preliminary evaluationClosed 2008-08-25 Engine compartment fire
  5. R
    2008-08-02Equipment08V284000 Nissan is recalling 180,664 my 2005-2006 Titan, Armada and infinity QX56 vehicles manufactured after March 17, 2005, that are equipped with a visteon air conditioning condenser fan motor. The fan…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a 'thermal protector kit' and test the air conditioning condenser fan motor and replace it if necessary. The recall began on August 2, 2008. Owners may contact Nissan at…

  6. R
    2010-03-22Fuel system, other10V074000 Nissan is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Titan, Armada, and Infiniti QX56 vehicles. The instrument panel fuel gauge may inaccurately display that the vehicle still has some fuel, typically…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel sender unit inside the fuel tank with a new improved sender card. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on March 22, 2010. Owners…

  7. R
    2010-07-12Suspension10E019000 Nissan is recalling certain front and rear lower links, p/nos. 54501ZQ00A, 54500ZQ00A, 551A1ZQ00A, 551A0ZQ00A , 54501EA00A, 54500EA00A, 551A1EA500, 551A0EA500, 54501ZR00A, and 54500ZR00A, sold…

    Remedy: Nissan will notify owners and dealers will replace any affected lower link free of charge. The safety recall began on July 12, 2010. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

  8. R
    2010-12-06Engine and engine cooling10V517000 Nissan is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 Armada, Titan, Infiniti QX56 and model year 2005-2006 Frontier, Pathfinder and Xterra vehicles. The intelligent power distribution module (Ipdm)…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the ECM relay inside the ipdm assembly. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on December 6, 2010. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

Buy-smart checklist

2005 Nissan Armada — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 225 reports on file for this year.
  • Fuel/propulsion system: 43 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 34 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 07E046000 · Equipment
  • Recall 08V284000 · Equipment
  • Recall 10V074000 · Fuel system, other
  • Recall 10E019000 · Suspension
  • Recall 10V517000 · Engine and engine cooling

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years2 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2005 Nissan Armada reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2005 Nissan Armada is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Nissan Armada?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 60% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2005 Nissan Armada have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.