2004 Nissan Armada Problems & Complaints

Avoid9.0× as many complaints as a typical year of the Armada at the same age

Owners have filed 464 complaints about the 2004 Nissan Armada with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is 9.0× as many as a typical Armada model year at the same age, which makes the 2004 one of the Armada years to avoid. The most reported problem area is the brakes (317 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles). One recall covers this model year.

464complaints
1recalls
21crashes
2fires
15injuries
0deaths

Most common 2004 Nissan Armada problems

  • Brakes~60,000 miles
    31768%
  • 368%
  • Engine & cooling~80,000 miles
    347%
  • Electrical system~88,000 miles
    296%
  • Suspension~116,000 miles
    276%
  • Air bags~83,000 miles
    235%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~89,000 miles
    194%
  • Body & structure~58,000 miles
    153%
  • Steering~65,000 miles
    133%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroof~6,000 miles
    123%
  • Other / not specified~75,000 miles
    123%
  • Wheels & tires~52,000 miles
    112%
  • Speed control & acceleration~80,000 miles
    102%
  • Stability & traction control~93,000 miles
    92%
  • Seat belts~7,000 miles
    72%
  • Equipment & accessories~5,000 miles
    61%
  • Seats~3,000 miles
    51%
  • Locks & latches~42,000 miles
    51%
  • A/C & heater~60,000 miles
    41%
  • Lights~168,000 miles
    31%
  • Driver assistance~45,000 miles
    10%

Share of the 464 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Nissan Armada complaints by model year

’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’25’264643732668616123484017171221817579271395219
Owner complaints per model year, Nissan Armada. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best Armada years: 2014, 2012, 2013. Years to avoid: 2025, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2004. Compare all years →

2004 Nissan Armada recalls (1)

Engine and engine cooling

NHTSA recall 10V-517 · Oct 28, 2010 · 747,480 vehicles

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.

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.

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2004 Nissan Armada:

Side air bag non-deployment

NHTSA investigation PE08004 · opened Jan 25, 2008 · closed May 30, 2008

The subject vehicles are equipped with optional seat-mounted side air bags.all vehicles are equipped with standard frontal air bags and side air curtains.installation of the incorrect SRS diagnosis sensor unit does not impair deployment of the frontal air bag and side air curtain in the event of a crash.no reports of non-deployment of the subject seat-mounted side air bags have been received by the manufacturer or…

What 2004 Nissan Armada owners say

Brakes all 317 →

As I was driving through the canyon at 55 mph I pressed on my brakes to begin to slow down for the construction zone coming up and they felt like air no pressure then there was a grinding sound like something was breaking underneath my vehicle as I let off my brakes the brake light came on and it sounded like a spring releasing under my vehicle. I attempted to use my brakes almost a dozen times attempting to stop with the same grinding and spring sound happening. Once I was finally able to come to a safe stop I turned my vehicle off and once I turned it back on the brake light was off and the pressure was back in my brakes

Jul 2021

This issue had been going on for years with my 2004 Nissan Armada. Driving down the freeway at approximately 70mph and the brake light comes on out of no where. When this happens there us no way to safe stop the vehicle because the brakes will not engage. There is this rattling and grinding sound that happens each time. The only way to safely continue is turn the truck off and back on. This needs to be corrected immediately before there is a fatal because of brake failure. Nissan refuse to research all the complaints.

Mar 2022

Fuel & propulsion system all 36 →

We just keep having endless safety issues. We would be on freeway and all of a sudden it would stop while driving on Freeway!and car going really fast,and almost hitting us my whole family terrified..once in a heavey under pass where supper busy of big rigs almost hitting us one of the most terrifying things you can feel of almost being hit,and this vehicle is super heavey,and cannot push by my self with back injury and my wife with really bad Heart condion , at times it would only go 25 to 35 miles per hour.. my widows keep falling my lightingi I have done everything possible and replaced almost everything, then another problem we depend on what we have and need for our doctors appointment and sometimes don't start and when it is turn off it dose this noise.. etc can you help me, I don't have money to keep spending on this car moo put something is very wrong

Jun 2024

Bought a 2004 Nissan Armada 08/08/2016 the second day I had to go to the dealers and pay close to 4xx to have a computer hooked up to it because my brake light came on and didnt have any brakes, it then happened the second week of owning the vehicle, called Nissan north America at first I was told I would be reimbursed and my problem fixed then was told its out of warranty. Regardless it was not my fault Nissan does not no how to make vehicle or fix there fauly problems. Then today I went out to start my truck and it will turn over all day long but will not start, I have a 2 year old special needs child and was heading to get his medication which can be very serious if hes without, contacted nna yet again with no luck. On top of the list of other problems iv had with this vehicle.

0 miles · Aug 2016

Engine & cooling all 34 →

The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Armada. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 10E019000 (Suspension) and 10V517000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was taken to the dealer for recall repairs; however, the dealer only completed the recall repair for 10V517000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that the collar weld of the vehicle was separating. The contact also stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a second dealer - Jim Bone Nissan (1275 Santa Rosa Ave, Santa Rosa, CA 95404) who advised the contact that she would be responsible for the cost of the repair because the VIN was not included in a recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. …

205,000 miles · Sep 2021

We just keep having endless safety issues. We would be on freeway and all of a sudden it would stop while driving on Freeway!and car going really fast,and almost hitting us my whole family terrified..once in a heavey under pass where supper busy of big rigs almost hitting us one of the most terrifying things you can feel of almost being hit,and this vehicle is super heavey,and cannot push by my self with back injury and my wife with really bad Heart condion , at times it would only go 25 to 35 miles per hour.. my widows keep falling my lightingi I have done everything possible and replaced almost everything, then another problem we depend on what we have and need for our doctors appointment and sometimes don't start and when it is turn off it dose this noise.. etc can you help me, I don't have money to keep spending on this car moo put something is very wrong

Jun 2024

2004 Nissan Armada engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
5.6L 8-cyl5-speed automaticRWD12 / 18 / 14
5.6L 8-cyl5-speed automatic4WD/AWD12 / 17 / 14

EPA ratings. Class: SUV.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2004 Nissan Armada a good car?

Based on 464 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2004 Armada rates avoid: 9.0× as many complaints as a typical year of the Armada at the same age. It is one of the Armada years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 2004 Nissan Armada?

The brakes — 317 complaints, 68% of all complaints for this model year, most often about foundation components › disc › rotor. Next are the fuel & propulsion system (36) and engine & cooling (34).

How many recalls does the 2004 Nissan Armada have?

There is 1 recall for the 2004 Nissan Armada, the most recent from October 28, 2010 (engine and engine cooling). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the Nissan Armada?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2014, 2012 and 2013. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2025, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2004. See the full Nissan Armada years comparison.

At what mileage do 2004 Nissan Armada problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 67,000 miles; 40% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.