VehicleVerdict

2018 Nissan Armada problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 115 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.0 times the median Armada year — the 2018 model ranks #6 of 23 Armada years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 41 reports (36% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

115

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2018 compare to other Armada years?

Armada NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted636 complaints2004: 636 complaints2005: 501 complaints2006: 329 complaints2007: 103 complaints2008: 206 complaints2009: 39 complaints2010: 63 complaints2011: 60 complaints2012: 24 complaints2013: 26 complaints2014: 17 complaints2015: 27 complaints2016: 3 complaints2017: 131 complaints2018: 115 complaints2019: 113 complaints2020: 38 complaints2021: 20 complaints2022: 14 complaints2023: 10 complaints2024: 8 complaints2025: 31 complaints2026: 11 complaints
Armada NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Armada years to avoid →

What are the most common 2018 Nissan Armada problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System4136%
Brakes1412%
Engine1412%
Other109%
Driver Assistance98%
Transmission76%
Lighting65%
Fuel System43%
Visibility & Wipers22%
Latches & Locks22%
Speed Control22%
Airbags22%
Body & Structure11%
Suspension11%

Does the 2018 Nissan Armada have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

19V654000Driver AssistanceSeptember 12, 2019 · 1,228,830 units

Defect

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Consequence

The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“BCI (Back-up Collision Intervention) Malfunction. It's random when this comes up on the dashboard warning lights. It lights up several other things as well. It doesn't allow you to use the cruise control, or the 4-wheel drive. It disables the ABS and traction control. I don't know how this is not a…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 15, 2023 · crash

“BCI (Back-up Collision Intervention) Malfunction. It's random when this comes up on the dashboard warning lights. It lights up several other things as well. It doesn't allow you to use the cruise control, or the 4-wheel drive. It disables the ABS and traction control. I don't know how this is not a…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · February 15, 2023 · crash

“The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Armada. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 18, 2024

“WHILE DRIVING, THE BRAKES WILL ENGAGE INVOLUNTARY AND MOST THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD LIGHT UP. A MESSAGE BCI MALFUNCTION APPEARS. CAR CAN NOT ACCELERATE AT A SAFE SPEED UNTIL CAR IS PARKED AND RESTARTED. SOMETIMES IT WILL NOT START UP IMMEDIATELY, LEAVING THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE STRANDED.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · August 2, 2020

“BCI (Back-up Collision Intervention) Malfunction. It's random when this comes up on the dashboard warning lights. It lights up several other things as well. It doesn't allow you to use the cruise control, or the 4-wheel drive. It disables the ABS and traction control. I don't know how this is not a…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · February 15, 2023 · crash

2018 Nissan Armada — common questions

Is the 2018 Nissan Armada reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 115 complaints put the 2018 model at #6 of 23 Armada years. It is one of the Armada years to avoid.

What are the most common 2018 Armada problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (41 complaints), engine (14 complaints), brakes (14 complaints).

Does the 2018 Nissan Armada have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2018 Nissan Armada. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.

How safe is the 2018 Nissan Armada?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2018 Nissan Armada earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

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.