2017 Nissan Armada Complaints

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 06/08/2026

Half of the speedometer lights as well as dash lights go out while driving. Lights are full lit when vehicle is started but then fail.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 09/01/2025

Dashboard lights for speedometer blink and half the side has gone dark

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LANE DEPARTURE — Filed 07/09/2025

Unknown

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 08/01/2025

I own a 2017 Nissan Armada with factory paint color QAB Pearl White. The paint has begun peeling and separating from the primer in multiple areas despite normal use and proper care. This appears to be a premature paint failure or manufacturing defect, not normal wear. I am requesting Nissan review this issue for goodwill repair or extended paint warranty consideration.

BACK OVER PREVENTION,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — Filed 11/11/2025

BCI MALFUNCTION LIGHT COMES ON AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT ONE MILE AND WILL STAY LIKE THAT TILL THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT WORK DURING THIS TIME. ON OTHER ONLINE FORUM A LOT OF NISSAN OWNERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE BUT NISSAN DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS. I DID PURCHASE NEW BRAKE SWITCHES BOTH OF THEM AND IT GOT WORSE. A BUNCH OF OTHER LIGHTS COME ON AND THE CAR WILL NOT START AT ALL. I REMOVED THE NEW BRAKE SWITCHES AND CLEANED THE OLD ONES. PUT THEM BACK AND IS DOING THE SAME THING WERE AFTER ONE MILE THE BCI LIGHT WILL COME ON.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 04/04/2025

I’ve had my 2017 armada since 2018 and have had issues from the beginning. My GPS antenna has never worked and I assumed it was just a settings issue but after many attempts at resetting them and even purchasing the updated maps CD from the Nissan website it never fixed the issue. When I am driving you can feel the car jerk and slip. We have replaced the battery maybe 3 times in the last year. When I try to start my car it will turn on all the dash lights, shake, then shut off and sometimes if I wait it starts back up and other times it doesn’t. My car is running lean as well. I have kept up with the maintenance of my car and about 6 months ago I paid $3,000 to do repairs on it not related to these issues. These are all TSBs, but for some reason no recalls have been done. My car has become very unreliable.

AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE — Filed 11/13/2025

I’ve had to replace the battery three times in three years that I’ve owned the vehicle I purchased it used. The transmission jerks like it’s slipping. It has done this ever since I purchased it no recalls on transmission. The side door airbag sensor is defective. The airbag light flashes on the dashboard took it to the new Nissan dealership was gonna cost five to $7000 for the sensor so that airbag will not deploy in the driver side door. I had a 2010 Nissan Armada airbag sensor went out and the steering wheel and it was outrageous to replace that airbag sensor no recalls I will never buy a Nissan Armada again.. I have had all maintenance and upkeep completed at the dealership on my vehicle. Why is there not a transmission recall an airbag recalls on these vehicles?

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 03/23/2025

BCI Malfunction has occurred twice with the vehicle. I almost always have my children in the car with me. The first time it wouldn’t start again after I shut the engine off. Now the malfunction lights remain on. The brake switch was replaced and isn’t the issue. I’m afraid of this happening more often and am afraid of the potential risk for sudden braking.

BACK OVER PREVENTION,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — Filed 03/26/2025

BCI malfunction indication comes on while driving and the car intermittently doesn’t start. According to Nissan this issue has caused recalls but my vehicle is not listed with any recalls. It is causing safety concerns while driving, as well as caused me to be stuck places sometime for hours at a time due to the vehicle not starting. I have taken it to the shop and they have been unable to recreate this issues as it typically happens while driving and then once it doesn’t start the proper way for a full day it starts just fine.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE — Filed 02/22/2025

The middle section of lights in the instrument panel has been blinking on/off intermittently for about two weeks. This makes it difficult to see your speed while driving at night and it's distracting, which causes me to take my eyes off the road for longer than I consider safe. Also, intermittently the truck hesitates to start, today it had to be towed to the dealer. After the diagnosis, I was told the Instrument Cluster Assembly should be replaced to resolve the light panel issue and the starter needs to be replaced. I find it surprising that the instrument panel would go out so soon. I wonder if this is connected to the previous intermittent BCI (Backup Collision Intervention) malfunction lights on the dash issue I had a few years ago. Additionally, I've had to replace the battery in the truck three times in the last four years since I purchased it (pre-owned). Which is not normal at all. We could not figure out what was causing the batteries to keep draining. The last battery I got was replaced by Nissan (free of charge) and I haven't had any issues with it dying since then. With so many complaints about this instrument Cluster Assembly I've been reading that have been reported over the last few years how many does it take to be considered a recall?

AIR BAGS — Filed 02/04/2025

The passenger airbag occupancy sensor has failed. The passenger airbag will not deploy in the event of collision. The issue has not been easily able to accurately diagnose. The dealership recommends replacement of the entire passenger seat frame with built in sensors. This repair ranges between 4-7 thousand. If it repairs the issue. This is a significant portion of the value of the vehicle.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE — Filed 06/03/2024

When pressing button to start, car gets stuck mid turn on and shakes. Doesn’t fully turn on and continues shaking. Button stops working. After multiple presses eventually turns car back off. Sometimes happens twice in a row or will start after the shaking on off.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 09/20/2024

On [XXX] my vehicle engine would not turn over. It then lost complete power moments later. The battery was recharged and reinstalled. I attempted to start the vehicle again and it drained the battery. I installed a NEW battery on [XXX] and the vehicle worked properly. On [XXX] I attempted to start the vehicle and the it drained the battery. This time, I called Nissan Customer Service and was instructed nothing old be done until a NISSAN DEALERSHIP ran diagnostics on the vehicle. Obviously, I had to call for a tow because the battery was dead. The tow truck driver was able to jump the battery and I drove to Ron Marhofer Nissan in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio to have the diagnostics performed. After explaining the problems to the service technician, I was told that SOME Nissans (regardless of model or year), have been experiencing this problem, and the only fix was a battery saver update to the body control module. To date, I have not had any issues since the battery saver update was performed. The issues are, 1. This is a known problem affecting multiple Nissan models, 2. A Nissan Dealership is the only place this problem can be diagnosed or fixed, 3. The only way an owner becomes aware of this problem is after multiple battery issues, and ultimately, a trip to the Nissan Dealership, 4. Nissan is forcing owners to pay for this update that is necessary for their vehicle to run properly, 5. Nissan controls all aspects of the repair and has a monopoly over it INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,ENGINE — Filed 09/06/2024

Was driving on a smooth road when suddenly airbag light on dash came on flashing. All the steering wheel buttons are working. Brought car to mechanic's shop to scan obd2, no dtc codes. Mechanic says they don't know what it is without a code. Nissan has been shady lately with technical service bulletins TSB instead of recalls. TSB according to Nissan hq is a repair at the discretion of the dealer meaning that they do not have to repair it even while it was under warranty. I had some piston slapping noise and burning smell coming from engine bay while under warranty the dealer Mechanic said," the noise is normal that of a suv and the burnt smell was the peanut packing oil burning off the outside of the engine". There was a TSB put out a few months later saying that Nissan acknowledged a defective short block in the engine causing abnormal wear on the piston. I brought it into the dealer and they refused to replace the short block and damaged cylinder. NHTSA needs to up their game and force these auto companies to be accountable. Years back my first edition Honda accord v6 had failed brakes that made me have an accident totaling the car. Veered off side of highway to minimize harm to others. Three years after the accident a recall on that models brakes came up. I was never given money for the totalled car by Honda. They need to be held accountable. Please take action and force the recalls instead of waiting for more people to be injured. Just look at the complaints on this make and model, why hasn't an investigation even begun? Airbag should be a top priority in recalls. Especially a blinking light with no explanation is a ticking time bomb that can set off an airbag at any given notice worst yet not deploy when there is an actual accident.

ENGINE — Filed 09/06/2024

Timing chain oil leak from faulty gasket.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,BACK OVER PREVENTION — Filed 08/26/2024

My vehicle was having intermitten BCI (Backup Collision Intervention) malfunction lights on the dash. On one occurrence it caused my vehicle to slam on the brakes suddenly at 20mph, it is definitely a safety issue. I replaced both brake switches which solved it temporarily but now it is on constantly. It has been scanned with various Nissan scan tools and no errors are found. I have read endless forum posts of Armada owners having this problem and the dealerships are giving them the run around with no clear solution.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 05/29/2024

I have had to replace the brake switch twice in this vehicle and it is under 35k miles. Other Nissan models have had this recalled. Once it begins to fail, the car will not start because it doesn't detect the brake is depressed. It also sets off the BCI Malfunction warning randomly and while driving, which impacts cruise control and brake safety. I can send invoices of repairs from dealership if helpful.

AIR BAGS — Filed 04/19/2024

The red airbag warning light began flashing on my 2017 Nissan Armada on Friday, April 19, 2024. I took the vehicle to Wood Nissan of Lee's Summit for them to diagnose the issue. I was told the airbag control module had failed as well as the left side (driver side) curtain airbag. The dealership checked for recalls and found none. Non-moving vehicle components, like the airbag system, are designed to last the life of the vehicle and sudden and unexplainable failures like my vehicle experienced presented a risk not only to me, but potentially to other owners of the same model year vehicle. This vehicle has been well maintained with regular dealership visits and has never been in an accident of any kind as I am also the original owner. In searching for airbag system recalls, I found that there were various recalls on Nissan Armada model years just prior to and after my 2017 model and I am concerned there is a system issue that needs to be addressed directly by Nissan and the airbag manufacturer.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 04/15/2024

Although I have a brand new battery, there is a short in the system that causes it to drain entirely when turned off. At least twice a month, the battery will die because it won't hold a charge when not operating. This is especially challenging when it is very warm in the summer. Once the battery is jumped, I have to run the vehicle for 30 minutes to recharge and hope it is full. I've been told it's a known defect but not yet a recall, but I can cite many examples of how this creates a safety issue when I am unable to jump it repeatedly with my portable jumper. As it is an electrical issue, this needs to be addressed and cited as a recall to stop the insanity!

AIR BAGS — Filed 04/12/2024

Left side driver air bag. Air bag light on. Repair to replace airbag needed at a cost of approximately $2,000 in order to get Massachusetts state inspection sticker. One week later, light back on, now estimate from dealer for $3,400 to replace the harness that the airbag sits in. We can't afford to get this second repair. Should manufacturers be responsible for a required safety feature such as an airbag? We won't be able to get it inspected next year with the blinking airbag light on. We will be driving around with a car with no left side airbag because we can't afford to replace and we will need to get a replacement car next year as the light flashing required to be fixed before Massachusetts will provide an inspection sticker.

AIR BAGS — Filed 05/18/2019

Airbag failure to deploy

AIR BAGS — Filed 12/26/2021

My husband and I were in 2 front end collisions in my 2017 Nissan Armada and were going at least 50+ mph when someone pulled out in front of us and we t-boned a full size pick up truck. The airbags failed to deploy both times which is extremely alarming to me. We both made it out okay but have severe back and leg pain and constant headaches. We were lucky. It could have been much worse but if airbags would have deployed, it wouldn’t have been so bad. This needs to be addressed asap.

AIR BAGS — Filed 08/08/2021

My wife was forced off the highway after dropping our 5 children at camp. She was forced off the highway and she hit a large tree at 50+MPH. She did have her seatbelt on, but all of her airbags failed to deploy. She has suffered multiple injuries to include whiplash, strained muscles, neurological compromised with burning, tingling into her upper extremities, headaches, and multiple other injuries. The vehicle was inspected and declared a total loss by USAA our insurance provider. The vehicle has also been inspected by Nissan Motor Corporation on 8/25/21. We have not received any feedback or report regarding their inspection to date. This vehicle was purchased new by us in 09/17, it has been serviced by our dealership since it was purchased, it did not have any warning lights or other symptoms of maintenance problems or failures prior to the accident. We have all the service records to attest to the maintenance status of the vehicle.

SEATS — Filed 11/12/2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 NISSAN ARMADA. WHEN THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER, THE SEAT BEGAN SMOKING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER LEFT PANTS LEG SUSTAINED A HOLE IN IT FROM THE HEATER. THERE WAS ALSO A BRUISE ON HER LEFT LEG THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUTHERLIN NISSAN MALL OF GEORGIA (3520 GA-20, BUFORD, GA 30519, (678) 714-1885) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS NOT A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND THE CONTACT CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,200. SEE ALSO ODI 11280222. *DSY *DT*DT *TR *DT*JB *AS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEATS — Filed 11/12/2019

I DRIVE A 2017 NISSAN ARMADA THAT CAUGHT FIRE!!! WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE MARCH OF THIS YEAR. MY HEATED SEAT MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUGHT MY PANTS AND MY SEAT ON FIRE WHILE I WAS DRIVING WITH TWO-2- SMALL CHILDREN!!! TUESDAY MORNING NOVEMBER 12TH, 2019 I WAS DRIVING MY 7 YEAR OLD TO SCHOOL WITH MY 3 YEAR OLD WITH US WHEN I STARTED TO FEEL A PAIN IN MY LEFT LEG. I LIFTED MY LEG WHICH THEN I SAW SMOKE AND COULD SMELL SOMETHING WAS BURNING. ALL THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING WITH 2 SMALL CHILDREN STRAPPED INTO THEIR CARSEATS. WHEN I NOTICED THE HOLE AND BLACK MARKS IN MY SWEATPANTS AND A HOLE IN MY DRIVER SEAT I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE HEATED SEAT BUTTON. WE COULD OF WRECKED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT MOST LIKELY WOULD OF HAD ANOTHER KID IN THE CAR. NOT ONLY WAS MY CHILDREN'S LIVES AND MY LIFE AT RISK BUT ALL THOSE PEOPLE'S LIVES AROUND ME TAKING THEIR KIDS TO SCHOOL, TOO. IT WAS ONE OF THE MOST SCARIEST DAYS OF MY LIFE. I AM TERRIFIED TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE NOW. WE COULD HAD DIED!!! I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE I WANTED HEATED SEATS, NOW I WILL NEVER USE HEATED SEATS AGAIN. I AM TRULY TRAUMATIZED FROM THIS EXPERIENCE. MY EXPERIENCE WITH NISSAN CORPORATION HAS NOT MADE THE SITUATION BETTER BUT WORSE. SEE ALSO ODI 11280207. *DSY *DT*DT*JB