Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Nissan Armada owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
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
Traveling up a slight hill at about 20 MPH the vehicle started losing power. The engine died resulting in a loss of power steering. I put the vehicle in park and shut off the ignition. I had no power and no power steering. After about a minute I tried and successfully started the vehicle. It attempted to die again, but I revved the engine and kept it running. It was frightening to think what would have happened if we were on a highway at 70 MPH and lost power. In my opinion this is a dangerous situation. Thankfully the incident was on a county road with no traffic as we had two of our grandchildren in the vehicle at the time of the incident.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Nissan Armada. The contact was driving approximately 10 MPH attempting to make a turn, and noticed smoke coming from the front end of the vehicle. The brake pedal was applied with force repeatedly and the vehicle continued to accelerate. The vehicle came to a stop when the emergency brake was engaged. The contact immediately stepped out of the vehicle. There were flames erupting underneath the hood within the engine compartment. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was completely destroyed and towed to the collision center. The failure mileage was 70,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Nissan Armada. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle made an abnormal sound and exhaust fumes emitted into the cabin. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the driver and passenger sides exhaust manifold needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was repaired under a manufacturers recall but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Nissan Armada. While driving 50 MPH and approaching a stop light, the vehicle stalled and the check engine and other unknown warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was restarted and when the gear shifter was placed in drive, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the crankshaft position sensor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and did not assist. The approximate failure mileage was 134,000.
10/28/09 right manifold and catalytic converter cracked between 3rd and 4th runners at 56K, 9/28/10 left side cracked at 67K. Both replace under warranty. 03/16, 135K kept complaining of exhaust in cab and being light headed. Brought to mechanic, right side is cracked again! I care for and transport our 2 year old granddaughter while our son is in the military and can't believe this isn't considered a manufacturer defect due to the safety issue. Have always had Nissan, love to get another one but not if Nissan doesn't back their product.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Nissan Armada. The contact stated that the check engine warning indicator illuminated after the vehicle was started. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that there was a leak in the exhaust manifold, but a remedy was not provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 154,000.
The radiator released transmission fluid all over my driveway, it was mixed with the coolant and now my gears are stripped. There were recalls about this on the 2005-2010 armadas but when I even went to key in the type of vehicle I have, it isnt recognized. There are no recalls on my car, please research.
The vehicle will start having erratic rpms, hesitation to accelerate, engine rpms will not go above 2000-2500 or below 1000-300 without severe hesitation, then sometimes it will just completely shut down everything no matter if stopped at a light or driving highway speeds. Total loss of vehicle control happens... No brakes, power steering, no acceleration. Every light turns on on dash and if your driving at the time you better hope that you can quickly throw it in neutral, crank the engine at least 2-4 times before it'll start up, then kick it back in drive to gain control of the vehicle again so you can pull over somewhere safe before you get into a serious wreck. Taking it to Nissan was pointless since after you get the Armada restarted, it doesn't retain any codes that the dealership can use to diagnose the problem nor can the mechanic replicate the issue on test drives. …
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling
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.
Engine complaints in other Armada years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2004 Nissan Armada?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2004 Nissan Armada, 7% of the model year's 464 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Nissan Armada engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 10V-517 (engine and engine cooling, Oct 28, 2010). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2004 Nissan Armada engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.