Is the 2004 Nissan Armada a bad year?
464 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Armada years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2004 Nissan Armada are in line with other Armada years. Brakes stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2004 Armada owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 60,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 315 (68%) | 12k–99k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Fuel system | 36 (8%) | 53k–147k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Electrical system | 29 (6%) | 37k–124k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Suspension | 27 (6%) | 60k–182k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Air bags | 23 (5%) | 57k–113k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 25 (5%) | 70k–132k miles · ahead | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 19 (4%) | 68k–128k miles · ahead | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Body structure | 15 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Equipment | 13 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 13 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 12 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 10 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Stability control | 9 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exhaust | 8 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 60,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 464 complaints: 21 mention a crash · 2 mention a fire · 10 report an injury · 4 say the car was towed.
2 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Aug 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
I was driving on wednesday the 19, 2009. My truck stalled on a major road. I was almost rearended with my children in the car.
My cats are going bad after I just spent $600 to get a whole new exhaust system! The car chokes up when I accelerate and almost feels like it will lose power.
I was driving on the freeway with my family at approx. 70 MPH, when the engine shut down instantaneously. This was a very potentially dangerous situation, with cars going by all around us at 70+ mph.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 60,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2004 Nissan Armada: 3
The intelligent power distribution module (Ipdm) assembly contains an engine control module (ECM) relay that has a diode for electrical current noise reduction. This could cause engine stalling increasing the risk of a crash.
The lower control link assembly has two cylindrical collars forming the inboard attachment points to the chassis. Due to an improper welding process some collars may contain welds that do not meet strength specifications. If the collar weld separates, the vehicle handling will deteriorate, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Certain hopkins aftermarket trailer brake control connection harnesses sold for use on certain models of Nissan vehicles which are listed above. The internal part numbers within hopkins are: 1010476025, 1040376025, 1110476025, 1170376025, 1290376025, 1010476035, 1040376035, 1110476035, 1170376035, and 1290376035. This harness would result in power from the trailer brake controller going to the towing vehicle dash light circuit rather than the trailer brakes.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Nissan: 46
Repair instructions Nissan sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2004 Nissan Armada. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Engine oil leak at right side block ball plug
Replacement 5-speed rear wheel drive Automatic Transmission (A/T) assemblies and replacement control valves…
When diagnosing possible power steering gear (rack and pinion steering rack, or steering rack) leak issues…
Clicking noise from rear axles during take-off/acceleration
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Side air bag non-deployment
Neighbouring years
2005 Armada: 373 complaints, keep it.
Every Nissan Armada year
2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Armada years side by side
Other Nissan models: Nissan 350Z · Nissan 370Z · Nissan Altima · Nissan Cube · Nissan Frontier · Nissan Juke · Nissan Kicks · Nissan Leaf · Nissan Maxima · Nissan Murano · Nissan Pathfinder · Nissan Quest · Nissan Rogue · Nissan Rogue Sport · Nissan Sentra · Nissan Titan · Nissan Titan XD · Nissan Versa · Nissan Versa Note · Nissan Xterra. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2004 Nissan Armada a bad year?
464 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Armada years. At 60,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Nissan Armada?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: brakes (315), fuel system (36), electrical system (29), suspension (27), air bags (23).
How many recalls does the 2004 Nissan Armada have?
3 recall campaigns list this model year: Engine (NHTSA 10V-517), Suspension (NHTSA 10E019000), Equipment (NHTSA 07E046000). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.