The Lemon Index
201720192nd generation
Better than average · most complaints: electrical
Better years to buy
23 owner complaints, first 3 years 15–16 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2018 Chevrolet Tahoe 302018 Ford Expedition 1362018 Chevrolet Suburban 41
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 18 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recall 19V654000 (back over prevention) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- 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.
- Nissan sent dealers 140 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT OR REAR AXLE DURING TAKE-OFF/ACCELERATION This bulletin has been…”?
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 23 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 20K to 50K miles (32K to 80K km) on the car (18 of all 23 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
Radio and display all went out while I was driving. Had to pull over, shut the vehicle all the way off, restart just to get everything to come back on. 2018 Nissan Armada, with roughly 68k miles.
2018 Nissan Armada owner · NHTSA complaint 11287239
More owner reports
Lighting for speed and RPM indication failed. Unable to read speed at night. Lighting is not individually replaceable. Entire cluster must be replaced.
NHTSA complaint 11438626
Problems Nissan told dealers about
Nissan sent dealers 140 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT OR REAR AXLE DURING TAKE-OFF/ACCELERATION This bulletin has been…
- VIBRATION DURING LIGHT OR MODERATE THROTTLE INPUT IF YOU CONFIRM A vibration during light or…
- DRIVE SHAFT BOOT SERVICE INFORMATION SERVICE INFORMATION If a Drive Shaft (Axle Shaft) Boot on…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 1
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2019
Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles.
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 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Nissan Armada SUV AWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,750–$4,000 (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. 2018 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.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2018 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/nissan-armada/?y=2018" 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/2018/">Lemon Index</a> (2018 Nissan Armada reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2018 Nissan Armada reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew a bit over half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 59; 100 is average, lower is better). The Nissan Armada year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2017.
What are the most common 2018 Nissan Armada problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (57%), brakes (30%) and transmission & drivetrain (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2018 Nissan Armada have?
1 safety recall (latest: back over prevention). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Nissan Armada get?
15 to 16 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2018 Nissan Armada safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
Does the 2018 Nissan Armada have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 17% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2018 Nissan Armada cost in fuel a year?
About $3,750 to $4,000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2018 Nissan Armada have?
5.6L 8-cyl.
What Nissan Armada year is better than the 2018?
Nearby, the 2017 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (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