Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 161 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Nissan Armada, and it carries 7 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 45 | 28% |
| Structure | 33 | 20% |
| Unknown or other | 10 | 6% |
| Service brakes | 9 | 6% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 5 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 5 | 3% |
| Air bags | 4 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 4 | 2% |
| Suspension | 4 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
It just stop shifting and won't come out of park and won't go into reverse or drive
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
I made an appointment with the dealership peoria nissan for 8:15am on the morning of 4/18/26. I confirmed the recall and brought the vehicle in early they received it told me it should be done by lunch. At 3:45 pm they m
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
My son & I took the car out two days after I bought it. Wanted to see how things looked at night. I took an unfamiliar rd ,( why,I dont know) Enjoying the ride and all the dash lights and bright headlights. Coming up to
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
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
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Armada. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, she heard a knocking sound coming from the vehicle and the air bag warning light was blinking. Additionally, the check engine warning light
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
While driving, the unit that houses the TV and stereo and air vents (center console on roof) decided to break and fall on my child who was in her car seat, almost resulting in me crashing my vehicle. This is a hazard
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
The fuel system failed while I was driving in traffic. The vehicle shutoff and would not restart. Safety is was in flowing traffic my vehicle all of sudden stopped forward motion. The vehicle has not been inspected by an
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2008 Nissan Armada. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT AND REAR LOWER LINKS, P/NOS. 54501ZQ00A, 54500ZQ00A, 551A1ZQ00A, 551A0ZQ00A , 54501EA00A, 54500EA00A, 551A1EA500, 551A0EA500, 54501ZR00A, AND 54500ZR00A, SOLD BETWEEN NOVEMBER 25, 2009 AND MAY 14, 2010 AS REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2010 TITAN, ARM
Risk: IF THE COLLAR WELD SEPARATES, THE VEHICLE HANDLING WILL DETERIORATE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY AFFECTED LOWER LINK FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 TITAN, ARMADA, AND INFINITI QX56, AND MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 NISSAN QUEST VEHICLES. THE BRAKE PEDAL PIVOT PIN END WAS NOT SPIN-FORMED TO SPECIFICATION DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS OF THE BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY. THE PIVOT PIN COULD SLIDE AND CAUSE TH
Risk: THE DRIVER WILL EXPERIENCE UNUSUAL AND NOTICEABLE LOOSENESS IN THE PEDAL AND A REDUCTION IN BRAKING FORCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT TO SEE IF THE PIVOT PIN HAD BEEN FORMED PROPERLY AND WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 22, 2010. OWNERS MAY CON
NISSAN IS RECALLING 1,126 MY 2008 QUEST, TITAN AND ARMADA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL ADJUSTMENT FRONT SEATS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS." THE SEAT TRACK ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFI
Risk: THIS MAY RESULT IN THE MANUAL SEAT PAWL NOT FULLY ENGAGING INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURIES IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEAT TRACK ASSEMBLY ON THE DRIVER'S AND FRONT PASSENGER SEATS AND REPLACE THE ENTIRE SEAT ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISS
NISSAN IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2008 NISSAN ARMADA AND INFINITI QX56 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 7, 2007 THROUGH FEBRUARY 14, 2007. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION
Risk: INCORRECT INFLATION OF THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO A VEHICLE OCCUPANT IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH REQUIRING DEPLOYMENT OF THAT AIR BAG.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT FRONT PILLAR FINISHERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 16, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
| Reliability raw | 61 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 67 | good |
| Maintenance | 76 | good |
| Depreciation | 47 | below average |
| Performance | 79 | good |
| Efficiency | 27 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 161 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 45 of them (28%). There are 7 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 61/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 67/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2008 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 62/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.