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 40 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Nissan Armada, and it carries 1 recall. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 6 | 15% |
| Service brakes | 4 | 10% |
| Air bags | 3 | 8% |
| Structure | 2 | 5% |
| Tires | 2 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 3% |
| Suspension | 1 | 3% |
| Steering | 1 | 3% |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 3% |
| Steering | 1 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Armada. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal burning odor coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that one day, upon exiting the vehicle with t
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The rear crossmember subframe on my vehicle is completely rusted out which caused serious suspension issue and cause the control arm to be in contact with the fuel tank. It didnt go through the tank because i found the i
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
My 2011 Nissan Armada started shaking very badly 8 months ago. Around that same time I had all 4 tires replaced. I took the car back to the place that put my new tires on (National Tire and Battery) and was told that the
NHTSA complaint: Steering
On a short drive back home on a sunny warm day and was going relatively slow (~20 MPH) and tried to slow down to make a turn. The pedal went to the ground and braking was ineffective (slowed down 2 or 3 mph every time
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
This is a structural issue. The panel on the side between the windshield and the front door windows are too wide. It causes a blindspot. If pedestrians are standing a just the right position of where this panel blocks th
NHTSA complaint: Visibility/wiper
Cracked exhaust manifolds, as a safety issue, Exhaust gasses can enter the drivers compartment. Nissan has know about this issue for years, it is a defect, it is a very big issue with a very large percent of vehicles wi
NHTSA complaint: Engine
The Electrical components went out in the steering wheel. 1st the radio and controls went out and then the horn eventually stopped working, had to pay $300 for the part itself and even the dealership didnt have it I had
NHTSA complaint: Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN ARMADA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLAMP WAS NOT PROPERLY SEALED ALLOWING MOISTURE AND WATER TO ENTER THE HEADLAMP HOUSING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO #1 COCHRAN NISSAN OF SOUTH HILLS
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2011 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 North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2008-2011 Titan, Frontier, Xterra, Pathfinder, Armada, and 2008-2009 Quest vehicles. The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may develop cracks and detach during air bag deployment.
Risk: A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
Fix: Dealers will replace the drivers airbag cover. Owner letters were mailed December 8, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall are PC944
| Reliability raw | 77 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 75 | good |
| Maintenance | 76 | good |
| Depreciation | 47 | below average |
| Performance | 73 | good |
| Efficiency | 29 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 40 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine is the most reported area with 6 of them (15%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 77/100 (good) 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 75/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2011 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 67/100. 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.