The Lemon Index
201220141st generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 14,383 in the U.S. in 2013 (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
2013 Chevrolet Tahoe 532013 Ford Expedition 462013 Chevrolet Suburban 45
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 6 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 20V188000 (airbags) and 13V451000 (brakes) done? 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?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Do all the seat belts latch and retract?
- Nissan sent dealers 113 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “SERVICE INFORMATION - This bulletin is to assist you in responding to customer questions about…”?
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 2K to 15K miles (4K to 25K km) on the car (6 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.
Problems Nissan told dealers about
Nissan sent dealers 113 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- SERVICE INFORMATION - This bulletin is to assist you in responding to customer questions about…
- On some vehicles, when replacing left side transmission to radiator cooler hose, for any…
- SERVICE INFORMATION If a customer describes lack of power or poor acceleration, perform the…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 2
- Airbags · recall issued 2020
Due to a manufacturing issue, the air bag inflator may not function properly or may rupture during deployment.
- Brakes · recall issued 2013
The affected vehicles have a brake master cylinder which may intermittently reduce the pressure supplied to the front brakes.
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 RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★☆☆ |
| Nissan Armada SUV 4WD | 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. 2013 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 2013 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/nissan-armada/?y=2013" 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/2013/">Lemon Index</a> (2013 Nissan Armada reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2013 Nissan Armada reliable?
We can't score it: only 14,383 were sold in the U.S. in 2013 (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 2013 Nissan Armada problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (29%), transmission & drivetrain (29%) and seat belts (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2013 Nissan Armada have?
2 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 2013 Nissan Armada get?
14 to 15 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2013 Nissan Armada have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 29% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2013 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 2013 Nissan Armada have?
5.6L 8-cyl.
What Nissan Armada year is better than the 2013?
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