2008 Nissan Armada Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2008 Armada most often report brake problems: the brake warning light comes on, the pedal feels soft or travels to the floor, and braking power drops sharply with grinding and vibration, often clearing after a restart. The next most common theme is interior trim — the overhead console and related moldings cracking and falling from the headliner. Electrical complaints (no-start with a flashing key warning, inoperative windows, door locks) and fuel gauge inaccuracy also appear in the sampled complaints.

1. 1
   Brakes

   Brake light on with loss of braking power

   • 60 complaints (37%)
   • median 90,000 mi at 6.7 yrs old (57 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $829 (median of 7 quotes)
   • filed 2010–2021

   Owners describe the brake warning light coming on while driving, sometimes with ABS or VDC lights, followed by a pedal that feels soft or sinks to the floor and reduced stopping ability. Many report grinding, vibration, or a spring-like noise when applying the brakes. Several say the condition resets after switching the ignition off and restarting, and some dealers noted ABS codes or suggested brake booster or master cylinder replacement. Reported across a wide mileage range, from under 20,000 miles to well over 150,000 miles, at both city and highway speeds.

   Recall 10V0720001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the brake pedal pivot pin recall work was completed, and have the ABS and brake booster system scanned for stored codes, especially C1179. A test drive should include hard stops to check for grinding, pedal drop, or warning lights.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was stopped in the carpool lane at my son's school; in park. Carpool lane began to move so I placed my car in gear. Slowly moving up and I heard a noise. Startled, placed my car back in park. Then noticed that my emergency brake light was on as well as my slip & vdc lights. Picked-up my son and I was driving away from the school and headed to a stop light. I found that I literally had to stand on my brakes to stop the car. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10577527, filed 2014-04, 72,000 miles

   “My wife was driving my children on the highway at approximately 55mph and the 'brake' icon suddenly flashed red on the dash. My wife attempted to apply the brakes and they did not function or respond other than by making a grinding noise. The pedal was able to go to the floor but with no braking accomplished. To stop the vehicle she had to downshift and let it coast to a stop in a parking lot that was fortunately on her path of travel. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11270569, filed 2019-10, 174,000 miles
2. 2
   Body and structure

   Overhead console falls from headliner

   • 41 complaints (25%)
   • median 84,309 mi at 5.8 yrs old (33 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,000 (median of 8 quotes)
   • filed 2012–2022

   Owners report the rear or front overhead console — the molding holding the DVD player, rear air controls, and lights — cracking at its mounting points and dropping down, sometimes hanging by its wiring. Several say it fell while driving or onto passengers, and that the plastic around the screws crumbles. According to the complaints, dealers often quoted a full console assembly replacement, and some said the failure was common or not covered by warranty. Mostly reported between about 35,000 and 100,000 miles, in vehicles parked in hot climates, with some failures noted while parked or at low speed.

   What to check: Inspect both overhead consoles for cracks or gaps around the mounting screws and check that they are firmly attached. Ask whether either console has been replaced or re-secured.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The rear overhead console broke off. Luckily it did not occur while we were driving as it would have startled us greatly and an accident could have easily occurred. Also it is right above where my children sit and could have caused harm to their head, neck or eye which are all very critical areas of the body especially for a developing child.”

   NHTSA complaint #11022758, filed 2017-09, 84,309 miles

   “Nissan Armada 2008: went out to get something out of my truck, found the whole center roof panel down hanging on by wiring. Since it was the holiday I called Nissan dealership the following day for replacement part. I was given cost $2600.00. I tried just getting plastic shell, but told plastic shell isn't sold separate. This part was made with a cheap plastic clamps that broke with screws still in place.”

   NHTSA complaint #11003196, filed 2017-07, 82,000 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Intermittent no-start and electrical faults

   • 10 complaints (6%)
   • median 70,000 mi at 5.6 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2010–2023

   Owners describe the engine failing to start with the key warning light flashing and needing repeated turning of the ignition; a dealer inspection and diagnostic fee were reported. Others report electrical oddities such as front windows lowering on their own, a steering wheel that locks and prevents starting, a rear door that will not open, and climate control stuck on max. Some owners link these to unrelated warning lights and accessory failures. Reported from roughly 60,000 to 180,000 miles, typically as intermittent faults.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Start the vehicle several times and watch for a flashing key or security light, and test all windows, door locks, and the rear liftgate. A scan for stored CAN and body codes is worthwhile before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “For unknown reasons the front windows (driver and passenger) will let themselves down. Have asked Nissan dealer about this several times and they said we must have hit the remote key. I don't buy this as this occurred while keys to the vehicle was in spouses purse and purse was on floor some 50 yards away. This is not first time this has occurred. This has occurred several times and we have inquired at dealer and always get same answer-someone hit the key. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10485029, filed 2012-11, 61,000 miles

   “Last night ready to leave and load family into vehicle. My husband opens the back door to load a stroller but the door did not open. He kept locking it and unlocking with the control and door hinge and window hinge were stuck. In order to open door he had to climb inside vehicle pull the plastic cap of and pull lever to manually open back door. We can hear it lock but it wont open. The levels feel rough and stuck when you pull to try and open door and window.”

   NHTSA complaint #10553605, filed 2013-11, 62,000 miles
4. 4
   Fuel system

   Fuel gauge reads higher than actual fuel level

   • 11 complaints (7%)
   • median 126,600 mi at 9.9 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2010–2023

   Owners report the fuel gauge and distance-to-empty display overstating how much fuel remains, so the vehicle runs out of gas while the gauge still shows fuel. Some describe stalling or losing power steering and brakes as a result. Several mention being told the fuel level sensor recall had already been performed or had expired on their vehicle. Reported from very low mileage up to about 180,000 miles, typically noticed at or below a quarter tank.

   Recall 10V074000

   What to check: Ask whether the fuel level sensor recall was completed and, if uncertain, compare the gauge reading against a fill-up the buyer performs. Note the displayed distance-to-empty against actual miles driven.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Fuel gauge and miles to go are both incorrect. I've this vehicle almost 2 years! The miles to go may show anywhere from 40 to estimated 100 then all of a sudden the car dies. I lose all control of steering, brakes, flasher does not work. Every time this has happened I've nearly gotten hit and of course stranded until someone can help me. I was told by Nissan there was a recall for this same issue in 2010 but it expired! This issue is really dangerous and whether or not recall is expired, I'm not gonna be so lucky in the end! …”

   NHTSA complaint #11279853, filed 2019-11, 97 miles

   “Within the last two months the ABS light will appear on the dash accompanied by a loud vibration and a loss of braking power. I had the brakes replaced and that did not fix the problem. This is dangerous and could lead to a loss of braking ability on corners and at highway speeds leading to a crash. Also within the past few months the fuel guage has started to show more fuel in the tank than what is actually in the tank. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11220680, filed 2019-06, 180,000 miles

Buying note. On a 2008 Armada, prioritize a brake system inspection with a code scan and a hard-stop test drive, and confirm the brake pedal and fuel gauge recalls were completed. Check the headliner-mounted consoles for cracks and verify all electrical accessories work, since these are the areas owners most often describe.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.