Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Nissan Armada owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
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 high. Both of these issues are known & are listed as recalls that I will be making a service appointment with my local Nissan dealer to research, correct & fix. There are numerous reports of similar & exact known issues online. Most recently in November 15' I was picking my children up from school in the rain. I was traveling home when I had to apply my breaks, but they did not perform as they should. The breaks made a spring sound, the brake peddle had little to no resistance when I applied my foot to stop & the break light came on. …
Purchased vehicle used in May 2015, my trusted mechanic checked it out September 2015 and reported back it was in good condition with no issues. July 2016 experienced break failure at 15 miles an hour. Again my mechanic troubleshooted the issues and said the power break booster needed to be replaced. He then referred me to Nissan for possible replacement since it is a safety issue. I spoke with corporate Nissan who advised me to take it to our local Nissan dealership to prove the issue existed, for any potential compensation. After taking the vehicle to Nissan they concluded reprogramming the delta stroke sensor would resolve the problem; which I had to pay $300 to have this done. On October 2016 inoperable break failure occurred again at 65 miles an hour while on the interstate, as I was approaching an exit ramp. This same issue occurred twice in one day, just a week later. …
I recently learned of the safety recall 10v-074 that described the exact situation I encountered in 2014. I was driving on expressway at 70 MPH when engine died. Luckily I was able to coast over to side of road, but was between an on ramp and off ramp--very dangerous. Fuel gauge showed 1/3 of a tank. Roadside assistance added a couple gallons of gas. I was able to start and drive to dealer. No recalls were identified for my VIN at the time so I was charged nearly $1000 to replace fuel pump/sender. I am bringing this to your attention because I have so far been unsuccessful in negotiating reimbursement from Nissan. Based on the number of complaints I see on your website, I believe a non-VIN specific safety recall campaign must be initiated because this problem will most likely continue since these vehicles can last a long time--my Armada had 154,000 miles on it at that time.
On Saturday morning at 845 am at a laundry place my vehicle was parked. Next thing we hear a loud noise coming from outside the laundrymat place.. My vehicle was smoking from the hood toward the dash board and then I could not even open the door with the key or the alarm button..so a friend broke the driver window and then tried to stop the fire from spreading but was not successful..I tried to get my belongs but either. My vehicle has been maintain in good service at the Nissan dealer. I only had it for aprox 1yr nothing was wrong with my car until that day for some reason I don't know it caught on fire.. I think these vehicle need to be check out..cause maybe if my kids where inside I believe they would have some burn scars on them ,because the stupid door could not be open with the or the alarm key...
I was driving my '05 Nissan Armada (27,000 miles) with my 2 yr old son and smelled a strong odor, thinking it was from a truck driving next to me. I picked up my daughter, put both children in their car seats and started the ignition. Two puffs of smoke came out on either side of the engine. I quickly unbuckled my children, ran them into the school and smoke started billowing out of the engine. The fire dept was called & school was evacuated. Within 15 min, the engine area was engulfed in flames. The vehicle was a total loss. I had multiple problems with the battery. Nissan has refused to assist me in any way.
Dt*: the contact stated while sitting in the parked vehicle smoke was noticed coming from under the steering column, immediately followed by the automatic door locks engaging. The passenger door was ajar allowing the occupants to escape the vehicle prior to it engulfing in flames. While exiting the vehicle both occupants sustained minor injuries. The fire and police departments were alerted and reports filed. The vehicle is currently being inspected by the insurance company. The manufacturer has been alerted. Updated 5/2/2006 -
On three different occasions starting July 2011 and ending March 2015, the brakes failed after vdc/ABS/slip warning lights were illuminated on a 2005 Nissan Armada. On one of the occasions, while attempting to stop, the brake pedal was depressed to the floor with little resistance. The vehicle failed to stop causing it to go through a busy intersection and just missed being struck by a tractor trailer. Spent over $2000.00 in repairs and the problems persist. I no longer feel save in driving the vehicle and finally sold it at a lost.
The windows and locks and truck stop working periodically sometimes for days. Have replace the manifold/pass catylcataylic converter replacement 920$$ and was told the drivers side would soon follow at 920$ also. Ridiculous. Seatbelt stays on
The incident has happened twice already once while driving and going about 35 miles per hour. The 2nd while sitting in a drive thru. While slowing down for the light, it felt as the brakes gave out. The brake pedal did not have any pressure in them and gave this loud crunching sound. Also sounded like a spring moaning. Immediately the brake light came on as if I had my emergency brakes on. I was in a panic and swerved to the side of the road not to rear end the car in front of me. This continued until after I completely turned off the car, let it sit then turned it back on. The light went off and the brakes worked as normal. The 2nd time I was in a drive thru moving forward and the brakes seem to give out. Crunching sound, brake light and only went away when I turned the Armada completely off and then on again. …
NHTSA investigations
Engine compartment fire
On May 30, 2008, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation based on consumer complaints alleging that smoke and/or fire erupted in the engine compartment of model year (my) 2005-2006 Nissan armada and titan vehicles.by letter dated June 24, 2008, Nissan notified the national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) that it will conduct a safety recall (NHTSA #08V284) for…
Electrical complaints in other Armada years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2005 Nissan Armada?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the electrical system of the 2005 Nissan Armada, 6% of the model year's 373 complaints. The component named most often is instrument cluster/panel (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Nissan Armada electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2005 Nissan Armada, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2005 Nissan Armada electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 91,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 5 fires and 2 injuries to electrical system 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.