Is the 2005 Nissan Armada a bad year?
373 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Armada years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2005 Nissan Armada are in line with other Armada years. Brakes and fuel system stand 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 2005 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 72,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 218 (58%) | 37k–108k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 77 (21%) | 97k–142k miles · ahead | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Air bags | 34 (9%) | 57k–115k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 24 (6%) | 37k–138k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 16 (4%) | 68k–128k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Suspension | 7 (2%) | 50k–153k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Body structure | 6 (2%) | 7k–100k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 31 (8%) | 75k–106k miles · ahead | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Equipment | 7 (2%) | 4k–68k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Seat belts | 10 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Parking brake | 8 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exhaust | 7 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Stability control | 7 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 5 (1%) | 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 72,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 373 complaints: 8 mention a crash · 5 mention a fire · 5 report an injury · 3 say the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Aug 2024.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
I have noticed the air compressor running intermittently, always trying to put air in the system. Went on a 200 mile trip and the car feels very unsafe at 70 mph.
Problem with car accelerating spontaneously when brake booster sensor fails at random times. Initial problem with brake peddle going soft and the anti-lock braking system gets activated when braking trying to do standard braking.
Check engine light remained on due to catalytic converter failure. Received warranty notice from Nissan of problem with catalytic failure, however, my mileage prevented free replacement.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 72,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2005 Nissan Armada: 5
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.
The instrument panel fuel gauge may inaccurately display that the vehicle still has some fuel, typically about one quarter tank, when the fuel tank is empty. This could cause the vehicle to run out of gas and stall on the highway, which could cause a crash.
The fan motor may not be properly sealed allowing excessive water intrusion and inadequate drainage of moisture. This could cause corrosion in the motor leading possibly to overheating and a fire.
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: 52
Repair instructions Nissan sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2005 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…
If a customer describes lack of power or poor acceleration, perform the following checks before attempting any repair: * Check for stored DTCs. * Check if…
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Engine compartment fire
Side air bag non-deployment
Neighbouring years
2004 Armada: 464 complaints, keep it · 2006 Armada: 266 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 2005 Nissan Armada a bad year?
373 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Armada years. At 72,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Nissan Armada?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: brakes (218), fuel system (77), air bags (34), electrical system (24), transmission and drivetrain (16).
How many recalls does the 2005 Nissan Armada have?
5 recall campaigns list this model year: Engine (NHTSA 10V-517), Suspension (NHTSA 10E019000), Fuel system (NHTSA 10V-074), Equipment (NHTSA 08V-284) and more. 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.