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 2008 Nissan Armada owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FUEL GAUGE IS INACCURATELY DISPLAYING THAT THE VEHICLE STILL HAS SOME FUEL, TYPICALLY ABOUT ONE QUARTER TANK, WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS EMPTY. It is the same as the recall for Nissan Armada's with other VIN numbers, however it doesn't cover mine, despite matching the year of manufacture, description, and diagnosis of issue. I am asking that the VIN numbers be updated to include mine. Also, under the "status" panel of my electronic display, it's shows 70-80~ miles left of driving range before running out of fuel.
For the past couple of years my 2008 Nissan Armada has been giving me issues with the gas gauge not reading accurately, it has progressed over time. It started out happening around a quarter of a tank with anywhere from 25 to 60 miles to empty according to the reading on the screen display. There has been no warning of running out of gas, it just happens while driving, the vehicle starts to shut down & the steering wheel eventually locks up, I do not have very long to find a driveway or parking lot to coast into before the vehicle completely shuts down. Over time it has happened at different intervals indicating I still have gas according to the gauge & the screen display, one time it showed as much as 147 miles to empty. My husband & I researched what may need to be checked or replaced to remedy the issue, everything led to changing the fuel pump which we did in August 2022. …
The passenger side front seat adjuster motor caught the under side of the seat on fire while no one touched the seat adjuster. For some reason the adjuster motor heated up and when my wife, child, and mother had to pull off of the interstate due to smoke, I was luckily behind them and got the family out of the car and then looked under the seat and saw 3 inch flames coming out of one of the adjuster motors. I was able to pull the motor out from under the seat after I poured a water bottle over the motor and used two pairs of gloves to keep from burning my hands. From looking at the adjuster motor after pulled from the vehicle one end was completely gone as it melted and burned off the plastic cover. It also burned a couple of holes in the carpet under the seat. …
Numerous times since January 2013 when we have been driving on the highway, roadways and parking lots the red brake light comes on and the brake pedal goes to the floor and makes noises. The car is very hard to stop and has almost caused accidents. One of the times it happened I took the car to Firestone to see what was going on but when I turned off the car it stopped doing it but they did have code c1179/ABS control unit come up. We contacted Nissan and left our car at suntrup Nissan for a month. They told us they could not find anything even when I gave them the code. We met with a Nissan specialist who told us the problem was the brake booster and gave us a price of just over $1,000 to fix it. …
The rear overhead console became loose and fell while I was at work one day, when I came out to my vehicle the whole console was hanging by one of the wires that connects to the ac and radio in the ceiling. I have 3 young children that sit in the second seat of my vehicle where the console had fallen, thank goodness they were not sitting there that day! I had asked my mechanic to attempt to fix the console, he was not able to and suggested that I bring it to my local Nissan dealership. From the multiple complaints that I have read online regarding this issue, Nissan is not considering it a recall item .... Why not??? It is obviously a bad design, it is too big, it is not attached to the ceiling securely enough for such a big console and once the plastic becomes older and brittle .... It breaks! …
I purchased this vehicle and within the first 3 days of having it noticed what sounded like an exhaust leak. I was assured it would be taken care of not to worry. Five months later it is still not fixed and the problem is that the exhaust manifold is cracked. Not just one side but both sides. I am sure that the problem existed when I purchased the vehicle. How is this possible? And why isnt there a recall seeing as there have been so many complaints of this issue. Also, on several occassions I have been locked out of the rear hatch of the vehicle unable to open it even though the vehicle is unlocked. I even crawled from the front to the back to try the emergency latch and nothing would allow it to open. I purchased this vehicle with 138K miles and seemed to be in excellent condition...I guess the old saying "looks can be deceiving"
My husband and I were driving through atlanta, ga (grady curve) at 75mph and the front, center console fell and hit my husband who was driving. The plastic had broken and literally shattered into pieces but the electrical wires were holding on to what was left of the structure. I took the car to the dealership and was charged almost $1000 to fix it. Nissan America said there was no recall and I had to pay for it if I wanted it fixed. A couple months later the exact same thing happened to the back, center console. The plastic that was left was suspended by the electrical components. We brought the car back to the dealership and they removed part of it so the kids could sit in the backseat without the plastic splinters falling on their heads. I was quoted over $1000 to fix it and still no recall on this faulty plastic.
Multiple occurrences - while driving, the brakes begin to grind, stutter, and stop working. I had to downshift in order to slow the vehicle, and pull over. The brake light will illuminate as this occurs. After stopping the vehicle, it must be completely turned off for a few moments, and then it will go back to "normal." this has also occurred while exiting the freeway - not safe! Airbag light is constantly on. Many of the electrical parts are not working. We thought Nissan would be the best vehicle to buy. But have had nothing but major problems. Please send recall for brakes and airbags
Within the last two months the ABS light will appear on the dash accompanied by a loud vibration and a loss of braking power. I had the brakes replaced and that did not fix the problem. This is dangerous and could lead to a loss of braking ability on corners and at highway speeds leading to a crash. Also within the past few months the fuel guage has started to show more fuel in the tank than what is actually in the tank. I called the dealership and provided the VIN and they said that the fuel level sensor recall service had already been performed on this VIN.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Nissan Armada. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start and the key warning indicator flashed continuously. The contact had to continuously attempt to turn the ignition switch in order for the engine to start. The contact called middletown Nissan (1153 newfield st, middletown, ct 06457, [phone]) and was informed that a diagnostic test was needed. The test would cost $160. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 130,000.
Electrical complaints in other Armada years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2008 Nissan Armada?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the electrical system of the 2008 Nissan Armada, 14% of the model year's 161 complaints. The component named most often is 12v/24v/48v battery (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Nissan Armada electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2008 Nissan Armada, though it has 6 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 2008 Nissan Armada electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 73,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 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.