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 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.
The fuel shows that I have a quarter of a tank or a bit more left and the number mileage on the screen shows the same. My vehicle randomly stops without warning. This has happened 3 times. I had the vehicle repaired last year for the same reason and here I am again. I see there is a recall and my car was not included. I called Nissan and the representative told me told contact NHTSA to be more effective.....he acknowledged the problem with the trucks. I feel as though it is a definite safety hazard. We were lucky this time. My air bag light will not shut off either and he mentioned this was another recall.. Why did this VIN miss the recalls. It clearly has those issues. They want me to go to a dealer and I cannot afford to do that. The dealers are more expensive. Hopefully there is assistance. There is a rattle with the A/C fan. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Nissan Armada. While driving 70 MPH, smoke appeared from the engine compartment and the vehicle stalled. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that a pipe burst. The pipe was replaced. Several days later, while driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle lost power and the service engine and other warning indicators illuminated. The contact stated that the fuel gauge displayed between 1/4 to empty. The vehicle restarted once the contact placed fuel in the tank. The contact also stated that the front passenger seat air bag warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired for the air bag warning indicator or the fuel gauge misreading. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Nissan Armada. On several occasions, while driving approximately 40 MPH and making a turn, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle stalled. Also, while traversing a hill on more than one occasion, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle failed to respond. Furthermore, while in tow mode and accelerating above 2,000 rpms, the vehicle stalled on several occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 10V517000 (engine and engine cooling). The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Nissan Armada. The contact stated that the muffler had been replaced 3 times due to it cracking around the header. The contact stated that the muffler damaged wiring harness and the computer system, which caused the vehicle to stall. Hummel's Nissan (4770 merle hay rd, des moines, ia 50322) was made aware of the failure. The muffler was replaced twice by the dealer however, the muffler failure recurred. The muffler was replaced a third time by an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 68,000.
Nissan states there are no recalls open for this VIN although nets states this make model and year has a recall out for the the fuel gauge. My gas tank incorrectly reads the gas which caused me to stall on the highway! I can drive around all day and will still show its full. Engine is also very loud during acceleration and overheats the car. Passenger airbag light will also not turn off, not sure if this is a recall, but car indicates no passenger is sitting when there is and shows the airbag will not deploy of a crash happens.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Nissan Armada. While driving various speeds, the vehicle made an abnormal noise and there was an exhaust odor in the vehicle. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Several years prior to the failure, both exhaust manifolds were replaced on the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000 the VIN was not provided. Updated 06/13/17
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Nissan Armada. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle went in to limp mode. In addition, the contact stated that the coolant from the radiator leaked in to the transmission and the transmission failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed to the contacts residence. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 132,000.
I've called sterling mccall Nissan of houston in fort bend county [phone]. I have been waiting for two weeks for the recall parts to come in. Why does it take so long for parts to come in. I'm told that there is no estimated time of arrive which is ridiculous. Thanks, [redacted]
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Nissan Armada. While driving 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The dealer diagnosed that the exhaust manifold fractured and caused the air fuel sensor to place the vehicle in limp mode. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 91,227.
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 2005 Nissan Armada?
NHTSA has 40 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2005 Nissan Armada, 11% of the model year's 373 complaints. The component named most often is engine (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 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 2005 Nissan Armada engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires 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.