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 81 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Nissan Armada, and it carries no 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 14 | 17% |
| Power train | 11 | 14% |
| Air bags | 8 | 10% |
| Unknown or other | 3 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 4% |
| Power train | 3 | 4% |
| Back over prevention | 2 | 2% |
| Engine | 2 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
Dashboard lights for speedometer blink and half the side has gone dark
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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 f
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
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
NHTSA complaint: Back over prevention
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 upda
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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 brak
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
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 w
NHTSA complaint: Back over prevention
| Reliability raw | 81 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 76 | good |
| Maintenance | 76 | good |
| Depreciation | 47 | below average |
| Performance | 79 | good |
| Efficiency | 29 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 81 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 14 of them (17%). No recalls are on record for it.
AVOIR scores its reliability 81/100 (excellent) 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 76/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2017 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 69/100. 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.