What 40 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Nissan Armada

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 the engine running, there was heavy black smoke coming from the front passenger’s seat. The contact alerted the business at her location about the failure and obtained buckets of water to assist the contact. The contact used a knife to cut out parts of the seat and poured water directly on the smoke. Once the Fire Department arrived at the scene, the smoke was extinguished, and the vehicle was inspected to ensure that there was no presence of a fire. No injuries were reported. The contact was not informed if a fire report was filed. The contact stated that the driver’s side seat warmer was activated at the time of the failure; however, the passenger’s side seat was not occupied, and the seat warmer should not have been activated. Despite the failure, the contact resumed normal operation of the vehicle. The contact called the dealer and was referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired; however, the front passenger’s seat was removed from the vehicle. The failure mileage was 200,000.

NHTSA ODI 11649223

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 issue on time and stopped driving the vehicle but it caused damage to the tank. If I didnt stop driving the car it was just a matter of time before the control arm perforated the tank, which could have been a lot worse with a risk of fire. This looks to be a common issue with Nissan cars so I’m not sure how there is no recall for it. I keep the vehicle maintained properly and bring it to the dealer for repairs. The dealer also performed a lot of work on the rear suspension of my car a couple of years ago but never mentioned anything to me about this major rust on the crossmember subframe.

NHTSA ODI 11577091

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 rack and pinion assembly needed to be replaced. They wanted $800-900 for the repair and to leave my car for 3 days which I could not do due to having only one vehicle. I took my car to a mechanic that dealt with electrical issues as well (Motions Automotive). They did what I felt like was a quick fix because the owner told the mechanic what he needed to do but the mechanic did a ride along with me, vocally stated what he wanted to do and reassured me he would do his best but the owner took precedence. Something was done to my air compressor(s) and it lasted a little over a week then went back to violently shaking every time I hit a bump or pot hole as well as the car taking a while to come to a complete stop. That happened from the beginning and I took it to the Nissan dealership twice and was told that’s normal. I have to stop far off from a stop sign or light to stop in time or just fly through. All of the recalls that the 2010 Armada has is all of the same issues I’m having which are very dangerous and life threatening. My suspension, rack and pinion, and brakes are all severely affected. I have 3 children and we love that car but as a single mother it fit my budget and family needs perfectly. I forgot to add that no warning lights are on nor were they ever on which worried me the most. I hope that someone can add the 2011 Nissan Armada to the 2010 Nissan Armada recalls. Thank you for your time!

NHTSA ODI 11574145

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 I hit the brakes). Seems like the ABS was kicking in, even though we were not sliding. I was just trying to slow down. I was finally able to slow down and stop the vehicle and I pulled off the side of the road to inspect. The "BRAKE" light was illuminated even though the parking brake was off, so I thought there must be a trouble code. I had my code reader with me. I read the code reported from the vehicle. Which was C1179, a malfunction with the delta sensor. I looked over the vehicle and brake fluid looked good. Brakes were not hot, no signs of any brake problems. I did not clear any codes or reset anything but the car drove normally the rest of the way home. No problems the next day either. This issue must be intermittent but it is scary. If these brakes had failed at a higher speed or on a mountain pass it could have been much worse!

NHTSA ODI 11538350

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 the pedestrians can not be seen. Every time before turning I have to physically lean forward to lean back to see if someone is in the blindspot. On 3 occasions, I came very close to hitting pedestrians who were in the blindspot and I could not see. One of which were 3 people one being a child. I am not able to see them until I begin my turn and then have to slam on the brakes once they are in my view.

NHTSA ODI 11509778

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 with this issue. Please issue a recall, so the manufacture pays for it and not the owner.

NHTSA ODI 11484519

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 to order from a specialty shop. Took all day to repair. The airbag light is constantly on but there is nothing wrong with the air bag and has been reset but it stays on. The driver side window wont roll up half the time the electrical component has went out. Sometimes it rolls down by itself. Headlights have water in them and hard to keep out after replacing them. After only having it a few months had to replace the engine bc it kept smoking. Thank goodness for warranties and at 1st they wasnt going to replace it.

NHTSA ODI 11419900

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 (3200 W. LIBERTY AVE, PITTSBURGH, PA 15216, (412) 245-4540) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE FRONT HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 51,000.

NHTSA ODI 11399898

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN ARMADA. THE CONTACT'S WIFE STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION AND WHEN SHE PROCEEDED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL TWISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WELL WAS RUSTED. THE CONTROL ARM WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OVER THE WARRANTY AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA ODI 11398422

ENGINE MAKING A TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE RIGHT SIDE. BELIEVE IT'S THE MANIFOLD BEING CRACKED

NHTSA ODI 11390805

MY VEHICLE WILL NOT START ( SOMETIMES) IF MY FRONT WHEELS ARE TURNED LEFT OR RIGHT WHEN PARKED. FORCING THE STEERING WHEEL TO ALIGN WHEELS STRAIGHT AHEAD IT WILL START.

NHTSA ODI 11319366

THE VEHICLE AIRBAG LIGHT IS FLASHING ON THE DASH. THE DEALERSHIP FOUND AN ERROR CODE 'B1054' WHICH INDICATES A DRIVER AIRBAG MODULE PROBLEM. SERVICE DEPARTMENT CLEARED THE CODE BUT IT HAS SINCE RETURNED. REPAIR HAS NOT BEEN PERFORMED BUT SERVICE NOTES INDICATE A POSSIBLE CLOCK SPRING/SPIRAL CABLE REPLACEMENT. THIS A $900 PART + $400 LABOR FEES THE CONSUMER IS LEFT TO PAY FOR A SAFETY FEATURE THAT IS SUPPOSED TO COME WITH THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11290708

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN ARMADA. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, A TICKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. ALSO, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY AND STALLED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NISSAN OF LAKE NORMAN (18615 STATESVILLE RD, CORNELIUS, NC) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED. THE MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.

NHTSA ODI 11280775

BOTH OF THE EXHAUST MANIFOLDS AND CATALYTIC CONVERTERS IN OUR 2011 NISSAN ARMADA HAVE CRACKED. AS A RESULT, EXHAUST FUMES WERE LEAKING INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT CREATING A POTENTIALLY DEADLY CONCENTRATION OF C02 FUMES IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THIS IS A KNOWN DESIGN/ENGINEERING DEFECT ON ALL V8 NISSAN ARMADA AND NISSAN TITAN ENGINES FOR AT LEAST 10 YEARS. NISSAN WILL ONLY COVER THE FEDERALLY MANDATED 8 YEAR/80,000 EMISSIONS WARRANTY. C02 INHALATION CAUSES HUNDREDS OF DEATHS PER YEAR IN THE US. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT IS KNOWN TO THE MANUFACTURER AND WELL DOCUMENTED IN THOUSANDS OF CASES. AS SUCH IT SHOULD BE COVERED IN FULL BY THE MANUFACTURER. THIS REPAIR COST US $2439.36. NISSAN SHOULD REIMBURSE US IN FULL FOR THE REPAIRS.

NHTSA ODI 11221089

DURING A FAMILY CAMPING TRIP, TOWING A CAMPER, AT ~54,000 MILES THE EXHAUST BROKE OFF THE VEHICLE AT THE MOUNTING FLANGE JUST BEHIND THE MUFFLER. THIS CAUSED EXHAUST TO HEAT THE FLOORBOARDS JUST AT THE 3RD ROW SEATS, MELTING THE PLASTIC COVER TO THE MOUNTING BOLTS OF THE SEAT TO THE FLOOR, AND MELTING THE CARPET IN THE SAME AREA, AND FILLING THE CAB WITH MELTING PLASTIC FUMES. IT ALSO MELTED THE REAR AIR-RIDE SUSPENSION AIR LINE, CAUSING THE SYSTEM TO BE IN-OPERABLE WHILE TOWING AND OFF BALANCE LOADING WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI 11109723

THE AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUES TO FLASH. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THE COST TO LOOK AT IT IS $150.00 AND THE REPAIR COST CAN BE UP TO $1800.00.

NHTSA ODI 11073111

MY NISSAN ARMADA CAUGHT FIRE. MY FRONT DRIVER SEAT GOT VERY HOT TO THE POINT OF BURNING. PULLED OVER TO GET AN APPLICATION FOR MY CHILD'S DAYCARE. PULLED MY SON OR TO GO WITH ME AND LEFT MY DAUGHTER IN THE CAR WATCHING A MOVIE WHILE I WENT IN BY THE TIME I REACHED THE DOOR I HEAR MY KIDS YELLING. I TURNED AND LOOKED THE CAR WAS FILED WITH SMOKE. THANK GOD FOR GOOD HEARTED PEOPLE THAT HELP ME GET THE KID'S OUT THE CAR. I'M CONTACTING A LAWYER ABOUT THIS.

NHTSA ODI 11071679

AC MOTOR BLOWER FAILING. TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON HIGHWAY 35N RADIATOR LEAK TO TRANSMISSION. SMELL TRANSMISSION OILS ENGINE LIGHT ON RPM HIGH/35 TO 40 MPH NISSAN ARMADA 2011 /79000 MILE

NHTSA ODI 11060986

THE FRONT ONLY DRIVER SIDE HEATING AND COOLING DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE PASSENGER SIDE AND BACK HEATING AND COOLING OPERATES AS EXPECTED. EXAMPLE: AT 90 ON HIGH HEAT, ALL AREAS OF THE VEHICLE WILL BE HOT EXCEPT THE DRIVER SIDE DASHBOARD AND FLOORBOARD AIR VENTS BLOW COOL AIR. EXACT THING HAPPENS (IN OPPOSITE) IN THE SUMMER WHEN RUNNING THE AC.

NHTSA ODI 11052069

STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS FOR RADIO HAVE NOT WORKED IN 5YRS, THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING LAST YRS. 2016 AND THE HORN WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TO, MOST OF THE TIME IT DOES NOT WORK.

NHTSA ODI 11014856

TIRES WEAR OUT ON ONE SIDE THEY SAID IT NEED ALIGNMENT. AFTER THE ALIGNMENT WAS DONE TEN THOUSAND MILES LATER SAME PROBLEM. NOW THEY SAID IT'S THE WAY WE DRIVE. I'M 48 YEARS OLD AND OWNED MANY CARS AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 11000663

FAULTY AIR MIX ACTUATOR. WHILE RUNNING AIR CONDITIONER, PASSENGER SIDE IS COLD WHILE DRIVER SIDE IS HOT. HAPPENS WHILE IN MOTION AS WELL AS WHEN STATIONARY ON ANY SURFACE. HAPPENED FIRST TIME JULY 2016 AND HAS HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY EVER SINCE. IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE IN 95 DEGREE WEATHER.

NHTSA ODI 10992121

THE OIL FILL SPOUT CAME OFF THE VALVE HEAD COVER RESULTING IN MASSIVE OIL SPILL. I WAS LUCKY I DISCOVERED IT AFTER A SHORT TRIP TO THE STORE. BOTH PIECES ARE MADE OF PLASTIC AND POORLY GLUED TOGETHER WITH SOMETHING THAT RESEMBLES SILICONE. IT HAD COMPLETELY DETERIORATED (THE CAR HAS 49,000 MILES ON IT) . VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT NISSAN WOULDN'T SPEND ANOTHER 15 CENTS AND HOLD THESE PIECES TOGETHER WITH A CLAMP OF SOME SORT. I HAD JUST COME BACK FROM A 650 MILE TRIP, IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE CEASED UP OR THE CAR MIGHT HAVE GONE UP IN FLAMES.

NHTSA ODI 10985847

2011 NISSAN ARMADA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE REPLACED DUE TO LACK OF LUBRICATION ISSUES. CORPORATE DENIES CLAIMS OF FRONT CAMSHAFT BRACKET BOLT AND CYLINDER BLOCK BALL PLUG OIL LEAKS TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS. *SMD ALSO, THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WOULD NOT STAY UP. *JB

NHTSA ODI 10904153

WHILE DRIVING AT 45-50 MILES PER HOUR, SKID AND BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON. IMMEDIATLY ALL TIRES LOOKED AND THE VEHICLE SKID OF THE ROAD. I WAS UNABLE TO BRAKE OR STOP THE VEHICLE, IT SLID AND OVER TURNED UNTIL IT CAME TO A STOP ON IT'S OWN. BEFORE THIS MY HEAT(A/C UNIT) WENT OUT ON IT'S OWN AS WELL AS THE WIPERS.

NHTSA ODI 10787798