The Lemon Index
200720091st generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 15,685 in the U.S. in 2008 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 21 complaints in its first 3 years.
21 owner complaints, first 3 years 14 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2008 Chevrolet Tahoe 712008 Ford Expedition 802008 Chevrolet Suburban 72
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2008 Nissan Armada
- Brake booster / hard pedal19 complaintsmostly at 50,000–105,000 miles (80,000–169,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 161 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 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 23,000 and 47,000 miles (37,000–76,000 km) (the middle half of the 20 complaints, of all 21 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 23V067000 (airbags), 10V349000 (airbags) and 10E019000 (suspension) done? It has 7 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?
- Do the wipers, washers, defrost and mirrors all work?
- Nissan sent dealers 93 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 21 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 23K to 47K miles (37K to 76K km) on the car (20 of all 21 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
Brake light came on at 35mph, seems abs engaged. Grinding, shuttering, decreased brake power. Turned vehicle off/on and brakes were good. Happened again while vehicle was stopped and again at 50 mph. Brake booster bad.
2008 Nissan Armada owner · NHTSA complaint 10434272
Problems Nissan told dealers about
Nissan sent dealers 93 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 7
- Airbags · recall issued 2023
The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may develop cracks and detach during air bag deployment.
- Airbags · recall issued 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2008 NISSAN ARMADA AND INFINITI QX56 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 7, 2007 THROUGH FEBRUARY 14, 2007.
- 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…
Show all 7 recalls
- Fuel system, other · recall issued 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2009 TITAN, ARMADA, AND INFINITI QX56 VEHICLES.
- Brakes · recall issued 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 TITAN, ARMADA, AND INFINITI QX56, AND MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 NISSAN QUEST VEHICLES.
- Seats · recall issued 2008
NISSAN IS RECALLING 1,126 MY 2008 QUEST, TITAN AND ARMADA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL ADJUSTMENT FRONT SEATS.
- Seat belts · recall issued 2007
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, 'SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES.' THE DRIVER'S SIDE THIRD ROW SEAT BELT UPPER ANCHOR BRACKET MAY BE CRA…
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
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. 2008 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=2008" 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/2008/">Lemon Index</a> (2008 Nissan Armada reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2008 Nissan Armada reliable?
We can't score it: only 15,685 were sold in the U.S. in 2008 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 21 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2008 Nissan Armada problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (24%), electrical (19%) and visibility (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Nissan Armada have?
7 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Nissan Armada get?
14 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 Nissan Armada problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 23,000 and 47,000 miles (37,000–76,000 km) (the middle half of the 20 complaints, of all 21 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2008 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 2008 Nissan Armada have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2008 Nissan Armada cost in fuel a year?
About $4,300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Nissan Armada have?
5.6L 8-cyl.
What Nissan Armada year is better than the 2008?
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