Last updated: 2026-10-10

RELIABILITY SCORE: 74/100 (GOOD)

2021 Nissan Armada Reliability Report

The 2021 Nissan Armada rates good and above average for 2021 SUVs, though owners report battery drain, stalling and transmission failures.

Full Breakdown Compare Models

Recalls

Complaints

Complaint Rate

5.3per 10,000 sold

Est. Repair Cost

$550

Annual Fuel Cost

$4,650–$4,950

Detailed Score Breakdown

Complaint Severity71/100

Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume

Repair Costs70/100

Independent repair cost ratings

Recall Impact80/100

Recall count weighted by severity

Issue Diversity78/100

Breadth of reported problem categories

The Verdict

Consider

Mid-pack among Armada years, with fewer complaints than 2020 but more than 2022, and owner reports centered on batteries, stalling and transmissions.

Top Issues to Watch

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (3)
ENGINE (3)
POWER TRAIN (2)

Generation & Refresh (US)

Refresh Year

2021 received a 2021 refresh update for the Second generation (Y62).

Changes: Redesigned front end; Larger grille and LED headlights; Updated interior with wider infotainment screen; Standard Safety Shield 360.
Year 5 in this generation (2017–2024).
2nd generation Armada (US).

What this means for buyers

Refresh years bring updates but can also introduce new issues. Check early recall data before buying.

2017: Second generation (Y62) Launch

Generation start — new platform.

2021: This Model Year (Refresh)

2021 received a 2021 refresh update for the Second generation (Y62).

Should You Buy the 2021 Nissan Armada?

Good reliability, and a sensible used buy. Against other 2021 SUVs it rates above average, and independent repair-cost data puts yearly repairs near $550, compared with $784 for the class. Among the Armada's nine scored years it lands in the middle, and the 2020 and 2022 years rate about the same.

Owners filed 12 complaints, few but serious. Batteries drain and strand the SUV, and replacements did not always cure it. One owner saw the screens go black and the parking sensors brake hard without warning, starting around 10,000 miles. Engine reports describe bucking, stalling and rough idle, with a faulty fuel pump suspected in one stall while merging onto an interstate. Two transmissions needed full replacement, one at 100,000 miles. Federal recall records list 2 recalls, covering equipment and the fuel system.

Ask for battery and electrical service records, any fuel pump work, and proof that both recalls were done. On the test drive, watch for jerking or weak acceleration.

Compared to the 2022 Nissan Armada, which scored 1 points higher. See also the 2020 Nissan Armada for an earlier comparison.

Pros

+Acceptable reliability score
+$234 cheaper to maintain than avg fullsize SUVs
+Low major repair risk (13%)
+Low recall count

Cons

−ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: Batteries drain and leave the SUV stranded, and replacing them does not always... (3 complaints)
−ENGINE: Bucking, sputtering and stalling lead the complaints (3 complaints)

Compare 2021 Nissan Armada With

2021 Chevrolet Tahoe

Reliability: 58/100

Mixed

2021 Ford Expedition

Reliability: 57/100

Mixed

2021 Toyota Sequoia

Reliability: 72/100

Good

2021 GMC Yukon

Reliability: 55/100

Mixed

2021 Lincoln Navigator

Reliability: 60/100

Good

Common Problem Categories

Safety

LOW RISK

2 manufacturer recalls issued

Other

HIGH RISK

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (3)
ENGINE (3)

See detailed breakdown by component ↓

Recall Overview

recalls on record

The 2021 Nissan Armada carries 2 recalls — a low count. Authorized dealers repair any open recall free of charge, regardless of warranty status.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

5.3

per 10,000 sold

Segment avg: 16.7

LowAvgHigh

Low

Safety Incidents

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.

2021 Nissan Armada Recall Details

2 recalls have been issued for the 2021 Nissan Armada. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.

26V4550002026-07-15

EQUIPMENT

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Nissan Armada, 2011-2013 Infiniti QX56, and 2014-2027 QX80 vehicles equipped with 22" wheels. The Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) listed on the certification label is incorrect, which can allow the vehicle to be overloaded. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Consequence

An overloaded vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will install new labels, free of charge. Additionally, Nissan will mail replacement labels to owners. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 4, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's numbers for this recall are R26B1 and R26B2. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 16, 2026.

21V3730002021-05-20

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Nissan Armada and 2020-2021 INFINITI QX80 vehicles equipped with V8 engines. The impeller can swell and bind within the fuel pump module, causing it to fail.

Consequence

Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 4, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R21A2. Owners may contact INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200. INFINITI's number for this recall is R21A3.

VIN History Report

Buying a used 2021 Nissan Armada? Check its history first

Electrical system problems lead owner complaints about the 2021 Nissan Armada, and 2 recalls were issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.

Accidents
Open Recalls
Title History
Odometer Rollback

2021 Nissan Armada NHTSA Safety Ratings

Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)

Gas Powertrain

Rollover risk: 23.7%

Safety Technologies

Dynamic Head Restraints (Driver, Front Passenger)Head Restraint (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Advanced Belt Feature (Standard)Adjustable Upper Belt Anchorage (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Seat Belt Reminder System (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat, 3rd row)Frontal Air Bag (Driver, Front Passenger)Curtain (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat, 3rd row)Torso/Pelvis (Driver, Front Passenger)Knee (Driver, Front Passenger)Additional Air Bags (N/A)Meets Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Requirements (Yes)LATCH Locations (Rear Seat)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) (Not Available)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) locations (Not Available)

View full safety data on NHTSA.gov →

Nissan ArmadaRepair Costs & Maintenance

Maintenance Rating

3.5

Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.

Est. Annual Maintenance

$550

vs $784 avg for fullsize SUVs

vs $652 avg for all vehicles

Repair Frequency

0.4

unscheduled repair visits per year

Severe Repair Probability

13%

chance of a major repair

Annual Cost Comparison

Armada

$550

Category Avg

$784

All Vehicles

$652

Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.

MPG & Annual Running Costs

Gas

15–16 MPG

Running cost: $5,200–$5,500/yr

Fuel + repair

13–14 city / 18–19 hwy MPG

Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2021 EPA label cycle.

Gas trims

Trim	Drive	Trans.	City	Hwy	Comb	Fuel Cost
Armada 2WD 5.6L 8-cyl	Rear-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S7)	14	19	16	$4,650
Armada 4WD 5.6L 8-cyl	4-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S7)	13	18	15	$4,950
Armada 4WD 5.6L 8-cyl	4-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S7)	13	18	15	$4,950

Used Buying Checklist

Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2021 Nissan Armada.

Have the battery and charging system load-tested, and ask for records of repeated battery replacements.
Check the battery terminals and tray for corrosion or leaked acid residue.
Back up toward objects and drive at highway speed, watching for false hard braking or blacked-out screens.
Accelerate hard from a stop and on a highway merge, and walk away if the transmission jerks or hesitates.
Ask for transmission service records and have a mechanic check fluid condition and shift quality.
Scan for misfire codes, then restart the engine warm and listen for sputtering or a rough idle.
Confirm the vehicle was built for the US market before counting on NissanConnect Services.

2021 Nissan Armada Common Problems by Component

12 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (3)ENGINE (3)POWER TRAIN (2)UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2)FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (1)AIR BAGS (1)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

3 complaints

Batteries drain and leave the SUV stranded, and replacing them does not always fix it. Reports describe repeated battery swaps, acid leaking from a new battery, and a stall with overheating that a dealer traced to a low-voltage battery around 34,000 miles. Another complaint describes all the screens going black and the parking sensors braking the car hard without warning, starting around 10,000 miles. That false braking later spreads to highway speeds. Sudden hard braking in traffic creates a real crash risk.

3 complaints total

ENGINE

3 complaints

Bucking, sputtering and stalling lead the complaints. Some vehicles restart only to a rough idle and then die again. One stall happens while merging onto an interstate at night, a serious crash risk. A faulty fuel pump is the suspected cause, and the cost of a tow adds to the pump repair. Other reports describe a drained battery that keeps the vehicle from starting, and a loud engine noise while RPM swings rapidly between 1000 and 3000.

3 complaints total

POWER TRAIN

2 complaints

Transmissions fail outright and need full replacement. The first signs are jerking and slow acceleration, and switching to a higher fuel grade does not help. One failure comes at 100,000 miles on a vehicle described as properly maintained. Another appears shortly after a routine differential and transmission fluid service. Nissan's consumer affairs office offers no help in at least one case. Jerking and weak acceleration while driving are a safety concern.

2 complaints total

UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2 complaints)

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2 complaints

Misfires and sputtering continue after a dealer replaces the mass air sensor, and the fuel pump is the suspected cause. A separate problem affects Armadas built for the Canadian market and sold in the US. Their built-in cellular hardware does not work here, so NissanConnect Services and its safety and convenience features cannot be activated. No replacement part exists to fix it, and Nissan USA and Nissan Canada each point to the other.

2 complaints total

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (1 complaints)

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

1 complaint

2026-03-30

My emergency breaking will come on and almost stop my vehicle driving down the road with no one near me. It’s very scary and it happens frequently. I will put my most recent incident below

AIR BAGS (1 complaints)

AIR BAGS

1 complaintSafety-related

2021-12-15Crash reported1 injury

I was driving a RENTED 2021 Nissan Armada. The brakes of this vehicle locked up when I was trying to avoid rear ending a car that had suddenly jumped in front of me. Instead of being able to control the braking, once I put the brake on, I tried to let up a little to see if I could stop the vehicle from skidding. However once I put my foot down on the brake it continued to stay depressed. I noticed that the vehicle was sliding and the steering wheel was also locked. I couldn't swerve to the left or right. I hit the van in front of me, the air bags deployed--driver's side air bag broke open and let out noxious gas. I have never driven a vehicle with such AEB troubles. If this is how the 2021 Nissan Armada acts, then other will find themselves not being able to avoid an accident as well. - Cheryl D., Frederick, MD, US

Best & Worst Nissan Armada Years

Best Nissan Armada Years to Buy

Based on reliability index score

Top Pick

Good

Nissan Armada Years to Avoid

No Nissan Armada years are statistical outliers in our data.

Scores stay between 70 and 75 across 9 scored model years.

See full Nissan Armada years-to-avoid analysis

Nissan Armada Reliability Score Trend

Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.

Nissan Armada reliability scores by year
Year	Score	Rating
2018	70/100	Good
2019	72/100	Good
2020	72/100	Good
2021	74/100	Good
2022	75/100	Good
2023	75/100	Good
2024	75/100	Good
2025	73/100	Good
2026	74/100	Good

Nissan Armada Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
Year	Score	vs Prior Year	Rating	Recalls	Complaints
2026	74/100	+1	Good	2	6
2025	73/100	-2	Good	2	19
2024	75/100	0	Good	1	4
2023	75/100	0	Good	1	5
2022	75/100	+1	Good	1	8
2021(selected)	74/100	+2	Good	2	12
2020	72/100	0	Good	2	26
2019	72/100	+2	Good	1	72
2018	70/100	—	Good	1	73

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2021 Nissan Armada reliable?

Yes, it holds a good reliability standing and rates above average among 2021 SUVs. Within the Armada's scored model years it sits in the middle. Owners filed 12 complaints, and independent repair-cost data shows lower yearly repair costs than the class average.

What are the most common problems with the 2021 Nissan Armada?

Complaints split evenly between the electrical system and the engine, with the power train close behind. Owners report draining batteries, bucking and stalling, and transmission failures that start with jerking and slow acceleration. One owner also described parking sensors braking the car hard without warning.

Does the 2021 Nissan Armada have battery problems?

Some owners say so. Batteries drained and left the SUV stranded, and replacing them did not always fix it. One report describes acid leaking from a new battery. Another traced a stall with overheating to a low-voltage battery at about 34,000 miles.

Does the 2021 Nissan Armada have transmission problems?

Two owners reported transmission failure needing full replacement. Jerking and slow acceleration came first, and higher fuel grades did not help. One failure came at 100,000 miles on a vehicle described as well maintained. The other followed a routine fluid service.

How much does it cost to repair a 2021 Nissan Armada?

Independent repair-cost data estimates about $550 a year for the Armada overall. That is below the $784 estimate for its class. The figure covers the model as a whole, not only this year, so individual repair bills can still run higher.

Don’t buy a 2021 Nissan Armada without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.

Look Up a VIN →

How we score the 2021 Nissan Armada

Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2021 Nissan Armada does best on recall impact (80/100) and worst on repair costs (70/100). Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.

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