CarBrief

NHTSA has 81 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Nissan Armada and counts no recalls for this model year[1][2]. EPA fuel economy depends on whether you choose 2WD or 4WD[3][4].

81owner complaints[1]
15–16MPG combined (EPA)[3]

Reported problems

NHTSA lists 81 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Three mention a crash, one a fire and four an injury. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part, so the group counts below add up to more than 81[1].

Component group Complaints Median miles at failure
Electrical system[5] 33 47,000
Power train[6] 17 36,000
Engine[7] 16 47,500
Brakes[8] 13 45,000
Air bags[9] 12 not listed
Unknown or other[10] 8 not listed
Back over prevention[11] 7 not listed
Exterior lighting[12] 4 not listed

Electrical. This group lists the only fire in the table, plus 1 injury[5]. In a sample of electrical complaint texts we read, In a sample of electrical complaint texts we read, 3 of 12 describe a BCI malfunction warning on the dash together with a car that is hard to start or will not start[5].[5]. Two of the 12 describe instrument panel lights going dark[5]. One text describes a heated seat that burned the owner's clothing[5].

Power train. In a sample of 10 different complaint texts, 8 describe odd shifting, engine speed that flutters or hunts, or hesitation when pulling away or merging[6].[6]. The group has no crashes, fires or injuries[6].

Brakes. In a sample of 12 texts, 9 mention a brake switch problem or a BCI warning[8]. Some of those owners describe a car that will not start or brakes that apply suddenly[8]. The group has no crashes, fires or injuries[8].

Engine. In a sample of 12 texts, 2 describe noise or a misfire in cylinder 7 that led to an engine replacement[7]. The group has no crashes, fires or injuries[7].

Air bags. This group has 12 complaints, 3 crashes and 2 injuries[9]. We have no complaint texts for it, so we cannot say what owners describe.

Recalls

NHTSA's model-year count shows 0 recalls for the 2017 Armada[2]. That is a count only. Our data has no recall details to report. Before you buy, enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup to see the current status of that exact vehicle.

Fuel economy

Both versions use a 5.6L 8-cylinder engine with an Automatic (S7) and take regular fuel[3][4].

Version City Highway Combined EPA annual fuel cost
Armada 2WD, rear-wheel drive[3] 14 19 16 $4,200
Armada 4WD, 4-wheel drive[4] 13 18 15 $4,450

EPA's annual cost uses its current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new[3][4].

Safety ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings are listed as not rated for the SUV AWD and the SUV RWD versions of this model year[13][14]. That means there is no star score to compare, not that the car scored poorly.

Engine and size

The 5.6L 8-cylinder engine is rated at 381 hp in the EPA test car list[15]. The size figures below are Canadian-market specifications for the 4-door SUV and can differ slightly from US models[16].

Measure Value
Length[16] 209 in
Width[16] 80 in
Height[16] 76 in
Wheelbase[16] 121 in
Curb weight[16] 5,917 lb

How 2017 compares with other years

2005: 373 complaints, 3 recalls20052006: 266 complaints, 3 recalls2007: 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 recalls8120172018: 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 2017 is highlighted[2].
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 21 model years in NHTSA's list, 2017 has the fifth highest complaint count with 81[2]. Four years are higher: 2005 with 373, 2006 with 266, 2008 with 161 and 2007 with 86[2]. The two years after 2017 are close, with 75 complaints for 2018 and 79 for 2019[2]. 2017 is the only year in the list with 0 recalls[2].

Counts are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, so treat them as a rough guide[2].

Should you buy a used 2017 Armada?

The complaint count of 81 is the fifth highest of the 21 years listed for this model, and the data shows no deaths[1][2]. The largest group is electrical, so check how the car starts, whether any dash warnings appear, and whether the instrument lights work[5]. Ask about shifting and brake switch repairs, since owners in the samples we read describe both[6][8]. EPA estimates fuel costs at $4,200 or $4,450 a year[3][4].[3][4]. Run the VIN through NHTSA for recalls before you sign.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2017 Nissan Armada?
NHTSA lists 81 complaints[1]. The largest groups are electrical with 33, power train with 17 and engine with 16[1][5][6][7].
Does the 2017 Nissan Armada have any recalls?
NHTSA's model-year count shows 0 recalls for 2017[2]. Check the VIN for current status.
How many miles per gallon does a 2017 Nissan Armada get?
EPA rates the 2WD at 14 city, 19 highway and 16 combined MPG, and the 4WD at 13, 18 and 15[3][4].
How much horsepower does the 2017 Armada have?
The 5.6L 8-cylinder is rated at 381 hp[15].
Did the 2017 Armada get a NHTSA safety rating?
NHTSA lists the 5-Star Safety Ratings as not rated for both the SUV AWD and SUV RWD versions[13][14].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 81 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Nissan Armada (3 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 4 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Nissan Armada model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. EPA rating for Armada 2WD, 5.6L 8-cyl, Automatic (S7), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 19 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  4. EPA rating for Armada 4WD, 5.6L 8-cyl, Automatic (S7), Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 18 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. 33 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 47,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 17 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 36,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 16 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 47,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 13 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 45,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 12 complaints name the air bags component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 8 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 7 complaints name the back over prevention component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 4 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  14. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV RWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  15. EPA Test Car List, 2017 Nissan Armada with 5.6L 8-cylinder: rated 381 hp. www.epa.gov
  16. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ARMADA 4DR SUV: length 209 in, width 80 in, height 76 in, wheelbase 121 in, curb weight 5,917 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.