VehicleVerdict

2005 Nissan Armada problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 501 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 13.2 times the median Armada year — the 2005 model ranks #2 of 23 Armada years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 10 injuries in total across these filings.

The trouble concentrates in one system: brakes issues account for 47% of all reports (233 of 501), far ahead of fuel system at 80.

501

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

2

Investigations

12

Crash-involved

10

Fires reported

10

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other Armada years?

See all Armada years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Nissan Armada problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes23347%
Fuel System8016%
Engine418%
Airbags347%
Electrical System347%
Transmission163%
Other133%
Seat Belts102%
Suspension71%
Body & Structure61%
Steering51%
Tires & Wheels51%
Speed Control51%
Visibility & Wipers41%
Latches & Locks41%
Driver Assistance10%
Lighting10%
Child Seat10%
Seats10%

Does the 2005 Nissan Armada have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

10V517000EngineOctober 28, 2010 · 747,480 units

Defect

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) ASSEMBLY CONTAINS AN ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) RELAY THAT HAS A DIODE FOR ELECTRICAL CURRENT NOISE REDUCTION. THE ECM RELAY MAY ALLOW SILICON VAPOR TO FORM AND, OVER TIME, THE SILICON EVAPORATES FROM THE DIODE MOLDING WHICH CAUSES SILICON OXIDE TO DEVELOP ON THE ECM RELAY CONTACT DUE TO ARCING.

Consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE ENGINE STALLING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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.

10E019000SuspensionMay 20, 2010 · 1,873 units

Defect

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT AND REAR LOWER LINKS, P/NOS. 54501ZQ00A, 54500ZQ00A, 551A1ZQ00A, 551A0ZQ00A , 54501EA00A, 54500EA00A, 551A1EA500, 551A0EA500, 54501ZR00A, AND 54500ZR00A, SOLD BETWEEN NOVEMBER 25, 2009 AND MAY 14, 2010 AS REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2010 TITAN, ARMADA, AND QX56, AND MODEL YEARS 2005 THROUGH 2010 FRONTIER, XTERRA, AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL LINK ASSEMBLY HAS TWO CYLINDRICAL COLLARS FORMING THE INBOARD ATTACHMENT POINTS TO THE CHASSIS. DUE TO AN IMPROPER WELDING PROCESS SOME COLLARS MAY CONTAIN WELDS THAT DO NOT MEET STRENGTH SPECIFICATIONS.

Consequence

IF THE COLLAR WELD SEPARATES, THE VEHICLE HANDLING WILL DETERIORATE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

10V074000Fuel SystemMarch 3, 2010 · 340,000 units

Defect

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 ABOUT ONE QUARTER TANK, WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS EMPTY.

Consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF GAS AND STALL ON THE HIGHWAY, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH.

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 MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

08V284000Climate Control (A/C & Heat)June 27, 2008 · 180,664 units

Defect

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 MOTOR MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SEALED ALLOWING EXCESSIVE WATER INTRUSION AND INADEQUATE DRAINAGE OF MOISTURE.

Consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE CORROSION IN THE MOTOR LEADING POSSIBLY TO OVERHEATING AND A FIRE.

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 1-800-647-7261.

07E046000OtherJuly 3, 2007 · 3,500 units

Defect

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: 1010476025, 1040376025, 1110476025, 1170376025, 1290376025, 1010476035, 1040376035, 1110476035, 1170376035, AND 1290376035. A WIRE MAY HAVE BEEN PLACED IN AN INCORRECT POSITION IN THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR HOUSING. THIS RESULTS IN AN INCORRECT ROUTING OF WIRES BETWEEN THE TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER AND THE TOWING VEHICLE WIRING SYSTEM.

Consequence

THIS HARNESS WOULD RESULT IN POWER FROM THE TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER GOING TO THE TOWING VEHICLE DASH LIGHT CIRCUIT RATHER THAN THE TRAILER BRAKES. THIS RESULT WOULD BE THE LACK OF TRAILER BRAKING WHEN THE TOWING VEHICLE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. IT WOULD ALSO RESULT IN THE TOWING VEHICLES DASH LIGHTS BEING ACTIVATED WHEN THE VEHICLE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE FAILURE OF THE APPLICATION OF THE TRAILER BRAKE COULD RESULT IN REDUCED ABILITY TO STOP AND CONTRIBUTE TO A POSSIBLE CRASH.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

"TAKATA RECALL" I EXPERIENCE SURPRISE EXCELLERATION THREE TIMES, ONCE RESULTING IN A MINOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT WITH MINOR BODY DAMAGE. ALL THREE OCCURRED ON A CITY STREET WHILE IN STARTING MOTION GOING STRAIGHT AHEAD.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 1, 2016 · crash

I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES STARTING IN 13' WITH THE ECM BEING REPLACED AFTER 05' ARMADA STALLED ON HIGHWAY TRAVELING 70 MILES/HOUR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. RECENTLY IN EARLY 15' I RAN OUT OF GAS WHEN FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED A QUARTER TANK OF GAS AT A RED LIGHT. ALSO IN EARLY 15' MY A/C WILL ONLY WORK WHEN ON…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · November 18, 2015 · crash

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.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 1, 2022 · fire

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.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 1, 2022 · fire

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. SHE IS WORRIED BECAUSE THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, EVEN WITH THE AMOUNT OF FORCE OF THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · June 20, 2007 · crash

2005 Nissan Armada — common questions

Is the 2005 Nissan Armada reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 501 complaints put the 2005 model at #2 of 23 Armada years. It is one of the Armada years to avoid.

What are the most common 2005 Armada problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (233 complaints), fuel system (80 complaints), engine (41 complaints).

Does the 2005 Nissan Armada have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Nissan Armada. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2005 Nissan Armada under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Nissan Armada years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Armada years to avoid are 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2007, 2010, 2011. The cleanest record among Armada years belongs to 2016.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.