The Lemon Index
201120131st generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 18,072 in the U.S. in 2012 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 7 complaints in its first 3 years.
7 owner complaints, first 3 years 14–15 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2012 Chevrolet Tahoe 122012 Ford Expedition 442012 Chevrolet Suburban 40
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 7 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recall 12V143000 (equipment) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Do the wipers, washers, defrost and mirrors all work?
- Nissan sent dealers 104 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Door lock/unlock inoperative with intelligent key”?
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 7 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 8K to 37K miles (13K to 60K km) on the car (7 of all 7 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
Right rear parking brake cable bracket snapped. Cable dropped down on to right rear drive axle and a loud grinding noise was heard. Took vehicle to Nissan dealer and they claimed it was not a warranty repair.
2012 Nissan Armada owner · NHTSA complaint 10726326
Problems Nissan told dealers about
Nissan sent dealers 104 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Door lock/unlock inoperative with intelligent key
- 2004-2014 armada; power back door inoperative and bolt on power back door opener loose if you…
- IF YOU CONFIRM A refrigerant leak at a refrigerant pipe/hose joint location
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 1
- Equipment · recall issued 2012
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 TITAN AND ARMADA VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 12, 2011, THROUGH MARCH 13, 2012.
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 test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Armada SUV 4WD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★☆☆ |
| Nissan Armada SUV RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★☆☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $4,000–$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. 2012 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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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2012 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/nissan-armada/?y=2012" 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/2012/">Lemon Index</a> (2012 Nissan Armada reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2012 Nissan Armada reliable?
We can't score it: only 18,072 were sold in the U.S. in 2012 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 7 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2012 Nissan Armada problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are body structure (29%), brakes (29%) and visibility (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 Nissan Armada have?
1 safety recall (latest: equipment). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Nissan Armada get?
14 to 15 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2012 Nissan Armada have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2012 Nissan Armada cost in fuel a year?
About $4,000 to $4,300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2012 Nissan Armada have?
5.6L 8-cyl.
What Nissan Armada year is better than the 2012?
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