CarBrief

Brakes are the biggest complaint area for the 2006 Armada, named in 192 of its 266 NHTSA complaints[1][2]. It also has three recalls on file and a 14 mpg combined EPA rating[3][4].

266owner complaints[1]
3recalls[3]
14MPG combined (EPA)[4]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 266 owner complaints on file for the 2006 Armada[1]. Of those, 14 mention a crash, 13 a fire and 12 an injury, and none report a death[1]. These are unverified reports from owners. One complaint can name several parts, so the groups below overlap.

Component group Complaints Crashes Fires Injuries
Brakes[2] 192 10 2 10
Electrical system[5] 24 1 7 1
Air bags[6] 22 7 0 7
Engine[7] 18 0 3 0

Brakes. Brakes are named in 192 complaints, with a median mileage at failure of 80,000[2]. In a sample of complaints we read, owners describe an ABS or brake warning light coming on while braking feels uneven, pulsing or weak. Some say the problem goes away after they switch the engine off and on again. A few describe pads, rotors or calipers wearing out quickly[2]. A brake that behaves differently from one stop to the next is worth a test drive and a close look from a mechanic.

Electrical system. This group has 24 complaints and the most fires of any group, 7[5]. The median mileage at failure is 118,000[5]. In the sample we read, some owners describe melted or burned wiring, smoke or a fire. Two describe stalling that a dealer traced to the power distribution module[5].

Air bags. There are 22 complaints, with a median mileage of 124,000[6]. In the sample we read, owners describe an air bag warning light that stays on or flashes. A few say the air bags did not go off in a collision[6].

Engine. There are 18 complaints, including 3 fires, with a median mileage of 86,350[7]. Owners in the sample describe the engine stalling while driving. Some link it to recall 10V517, and a few say their vehicle was not covered or stalled again after the repair. Others describe cracked exhaust manifolds or a catalytic converter that was replaced and failed again[7].

Smaller groups include power train with 9 complaints[8], unknown or other with 9[9], structure with 8[10] and electronic stability control with 7[11]. That is too few to call any of them a pattern.

Recalls

NHTSA lists three recalls for this model year[3]. Newest first:

Check a specific vehicle by VIN on the NHTSA recall site, since a recall covers certain vehicles and not every Armada.

Fuel economy

The EPA rates the 2006 Armada at 12 mpg city, 17 highway and 14 combined[4]. That is the same for the 2WD version[4] and the 4WD version[15]. Both have a 5.6L 8-cylinder engine, an Automatic 5-spd and take regular fuel[4][15].

The EPA estimates annual fuel cost at $4,800 for both, using its current fuel price assumptions rather than prices from when the car was new[4][15]. Your own cost depends on how far you drive and local gas prices.

Safety ratings

Our data has one NHTSA 5-Star rating for the 2006 Armada[16]. The 4-door RWD/AWD version earned 3 stars for rollover, with a rollover risk of 21.9%[16]. We have no front or side crash star ratings for this model year.

Engine and size

The EPA lists a 5.6L 8-cylinder engine[4][15]. Size figures below come from Canadian-market specifications for the 4-door AWD SE/LE and can differ slightly from US models[17].

Measure Value
Length[17] 207 in
Width[17] 79 in
Height[17] 79 in
Wheelbase[17] 123 in
Curb weight[17] 5,540 lb

How 2006 compares with other years

2005: 373 complaints, 3 recalls20052006: 266 complaints, 3 recalls26620062007: 86 complaints, 2 recalls20072008: 161 complaints, 6 recalls2009: 23 complaints, 3 recalls20092010: 48 complaints, 4 recalls2011: 40 complaints, 1 recalls20112012: 17 complaints, 1 recalls2013: 17 complaints, 2 recalls20132014: 12 complaints, 1 recalls2015: 21 complaints, 3 recalls20152017: 81 complaints, 0 recalls2018: 75 complaints, 1 recalls20182019: 79 complaints, 1 recalls2020: 27 complaints, 2 recalls20202021: 13 complaints, 2 recalls2022: 9 complaints, 1 recalls20222023: 5 complaints, 1 recalls2024: 4 complaints, 1 recalls20242025: 21 complaints, 2 recalls2026: 9 complaints, 2 recalls2026
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Armada model year. The 2006 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20053733
20062663
2007862
20081616
2009233
2010484
2011401
2012171
2013172
2014121
2015213
2017810
2018751
2019791
2020272
2021132
202291
202351
202441
2025212
202692

Among the Armada model years in NHTSA data, 2006 has the second-highest complaint count at 266[3]. Only 2005 is higher, with 373[3]. The 2008 model year has 161 and 2007 has 86, and every later year has 81 or fewer[3].

For recalls, 2006 has 3[3]. That is fewer than 2008 with 6 and 2010 with 4[3]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, so compare only within the Armada.

Should you buy a used 2006 Armada?

The 2006 Armada has a heavy complaint record for its brakes, with 192 of its 266 complaints naming that group[1][2]. It also has three recalls on file[3]. If you are considering one, ask for proof that the recall repairs were done, and check by VIN. Test the brakes carefully, and have a mechanic look at the wiring and brake system. Budget for fuel as well, since the EPA estimate is $4,800 a year at 14 combined mpg[4]. The complaint themes here come from a small sample and the counts are unverified, so they point to what to inspect and do not predict what will fail.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2006 Nissan Armada?
Brakes are named in 192 of the 266 NHTSA complaints[1][2]. Electrical system has 24[5], air bags 22[6] and engine 18[7]. These are unverified owner reports.
Has the 2006 Nissan Armada been recalled?
NHTSA lists three recalls: 10V517 for engine stalling from a relay[12], 10V074 for a fuel gauge that can read wrong[13] and 08V284 for an A/C fan motor fire risk[14]. The listed remedies are dealer repairs, and the fuel gauge and relay repairs are free[12][13].
What gas mileage does a 2006 Nissan Armada get?
The EPA rates it at 12 city, 17 highway and 14 combined mpg for both 2WD and 4WD[4][15].
Is the 2006 Armada worse than other model years?
By complaint count it is second to 2005, which has 373 against 266 for 2006[3]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.
How did the 2006 Nissan Armada do in safety ratings?
Our data shows 3 stars for rollover, with a rollover risk of 21.9%[16].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 266 owner complaints on file for the 2006 Nissan Armada (14 mention a crash, 13 a fire, 12 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 192 complaints name the brakes component group (10 crashes, 2 fires, 10 injuries, median mileage at failure 80,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Nissan Armada model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. EPA rating for Armada 2WD, 5.6L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 12 city / 17 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. 24 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 7 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 118,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 22 complaints name the air bags component group (7 crashes, 0 fires, 7 injuries, median mileage at failure 124,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 18 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 86,350). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 9 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 89,273). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 9 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 123,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 8 complaints name the structure component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 118,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 7 complaints name the electronic stability control (esc) component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 105,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. Recall 10V517, filed October 28, 2010: Engine And Engine Cooling. NHTSA recall database
  13. Recall 10V074, filed March 3, 2010: Fuel System, Other › Storage › Fuel Gauge System. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 08V284, filed June 27, 2008: Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner. NHTSA recall database
  15. EPA rating for Armada 4WD, 5.6L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 12 city / 17 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR RWD/AWD: rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 21.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
  17. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ARMADA 4DR SUV AWD SE/LE: length 207 in, width 79 in, height 79 in, wheelbase 123 in, curb weight 5,540 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.