VehicleVerdict

2020 Nissan Armada problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2020 Nissan Armada sits mid-pack among Armada years: 38 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 38, with a single recall and no defect investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (8), other (7), and brakes (6), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

38

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

5

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2020 compare to other Armada years?

Armada NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 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, 2020 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Armada years to avoid →

What are the most common 2020 Nissan Armada problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System821%
Other718%
Brakes616%
Driver Assistance616%
Engine411%
Fuel System38%
Lighting25%
Suspension13%
Airbags13%

Does the 2020 Nissan Armada have recalls?

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

21V373000Fuel SystemMay 20, 2021 · 24,140 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 4, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R21A2. Owners may contact INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200. INFINITI's number for this recall is R21A3.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“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. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 15, 2024

“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. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · April 15, 2024

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 29, 2023

“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. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · April 29, 2024

“On multiple occasions, when I stop on stop sign or light and then start hitting gas the car won’t move , engine turn off almost to the point where no sounds come off the engine. This happened on multiple occasions on high ways, in town and keeps happening. I took to Nissan service and I was told…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 27, 2022

2020 Nissan Armada — common questions

Is the 2020 Nissan Armada reliable?

It is close to typical for the Armada: 38 NHTSA complaints, 1 recall, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2020 Armada problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (8 complaints), other (7 complaints), brakes (6 complaints).

Does the 2020 Nissan Armada have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2020 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 2020 Nissan Armada?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2020 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.