The Lemon Index
200420061st generation
Avoid · most complaints: brakes
59 owner complaints, first 3 years 14 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2005 Chevrolet Tahoe 712005 Ford Expedition 582005 Chevrolet Suburban 86
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2005 Nissan Armada
- Engine stalling42 complaintsmostly at 75,000–139,000 miles (121,000–224,000 km)
- Brake booster / hard pedal31 complaintsmostly at 54,000–103,000 miles (87,000–166,000 km)
- Airbag light / sensor12 complaintsmostly at 58,000–85,000 miles (93,000–138,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 373 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Nissan Armada (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 3,500 and 32,000 miles (5,600–52,000 km) (the middle half of the 52 complaints, of all 59 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 10V517000 (engine), 10E019000 (suspension) and 10V074000 (fuel system, other) done? It has 5 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Nissan sent dealers 95 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “IF YOU CONFRIM An oil leak at the right side block ball plug behind the alternator”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Nissan's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 59 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 3K to 32K miles (6K to 52K km) on the car (52 of all 59 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
2005 Nissan Armada brakes shake when applying the breaks. The rotors are warped. Shaking is getting worse.
2005 Nissan Armada owner · NHTSA complaint 10156568
More owner reports
When applying brakes there is vibration in steering.
NHTSA complaint 10142153
Brake failure incident when suv failed to stop at a red light. Brake pedal was completely depressed, but suv continued to move forward.
NHTSA complaint 10158437
Problems Nissan told dealers about
Nissan sent dealers 95 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- IF YOU CONFRIM An oil leak at the right side block ball plug behind the alternator
- The 12 volt battery is an important part of the vehicle electrical system and is required to stay
- SERVICE INFORMATION Information necessary to service the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 5
- Engine · recall issued 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 ARMADA, TITAN, INFINITI QX56 AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 FRONTIER, PATHFINDER AND XTERRA VEHICLES.
- Suspension · recall issued 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT AND REAR LOWER LINKS, P/NOS. 54501ZQ00A, 54500ZQ00A, 551A1ZQ00A, 551A0ZQ00A , 54501EA00A, 54500EA00A, 551A1EA500, 551A0EA500, 54501ZR00A, AND 54500ZR00A, SOLD BETWEEN NOVEMBER 25, 2009 A…
- Fuel system, other · recall issued 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2009 TITAN, ARMADA, AND INFINITI QX56 VEHICLES.
Show all 5 recalls
- Equipment · recall issued 2008
NISSAN IS RECALLING 180,664 MY 2005-2006 TITAN, ARMADA AND INFINITY QX56 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED AFTER MARCH 17, 2005, THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH A VISTEON AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER FAN MOTOR.
- Equipment · recall issued 2007
CERTAIN HOPKINS AFTERMARKET TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL CONNECTION HARNESSES SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN MODELS OF NISSAN VEHICLES WHICH ARE LISTED ABOVE.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedSide air bag non-deployment2008
- ClosedEngine compartment fire2008
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front — · side — · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $4,300 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 5.6L 8-cyl.
Every Nissan Armada year. 2005 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score.
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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/nissan-armada/?y=2005" title="Nissan Armada reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="353" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/nissan-armada/2005/">Lemon Index</a> (2005 Nissan Armada reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2005 Nissan Armada reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew about twice the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 216; 100 is average, lower is better). 2005 is one of the weaker years of a model that usually draws about three-quarters as many complaints as the average car. The Nissan Armada year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2017.
What are the most common 2005 Nissan Armada problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (63%), electrical (12%) and brakes (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 Nissan Armada have?
5 safety recalls (latest: engine). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Nissan Armada get?
14 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2005 Nissan Armada problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 3,500 and 32,000 miles (5,600–52,000 km) (the middle half of the 52 complaints, of all 59 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2005 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2005 Nissan Armada have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2005 Nissan Armada cost in fuel a year?
About $4,300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 Nissan Armada have?
5.6L 8-cyl.
What Nissan Armada year is better than the 2005?
No year within 3 model years of it drew fewer complaints. Across every year, 2017 drew the fewest (about half as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works