Is the 2018 Nissan ARMADA reliable?

The 2018 Nissan ARMADA has 115 complaints filed with NHTSA (4.3x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: ELECTRICAL problems.

What are common problems with the 2018 Nissan ARMADA?

Top problems: ELECTRICAL (40 complaints, avg repair $500); BRAKES (14 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (14 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2018 Nissan ARMADA?

Yes, there are 1 recall(s): BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA. Contact any Nissan dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Nissan ARMADA?

The 2018 Nissan ARMADA gets 16 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $3000. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2018 Nissan ARMADA?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2018 Nissan ARMADA is approximately $1,723/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2018 Nissan ARMADA

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2018 Nissan ARMADA has 115 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 4.3x the segment average of 27. The most common issue is electrical problems (35% of all complaints), specifically: i went out to my vehicle which unlocked with my pod i went to start it and all the dash board lights came on but the vehicle would not start. i jumped the battery and it started instantly so i took the vehicle to an auto store to check the battery which they stated was a great battery with a high ch. There is 1 recall issued for this model year.

3 crash reports 1 injury

115

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

4.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ELECTRICAL

40 complaints

35%

• I WENT OUT TO MY VEHICLE WHICH UNLOCKED WITH MY POD I WENT TO START IT AND ALL THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS CAME ON BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. I JUMPED THE BATTERY AND IT STARTED INSTANTLY SO I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTO STORE TO CHECK THE BATTERY WHICH THEY STATED WAS A GREAT BATTERY WITH A HIGH CH
• 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.
• THE ENGINE LOSES POWER SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY (CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON). WITH THE LOSS OF POWER, VEHICLE LOSES SPEED AND ACCELERATION. THIS SITUATION HAS HAPPENED ON FOUR DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. IN ALL CASES THE LOSS OF POWER HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING, THREE OF THE TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON A MAJOR HI

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“I WENT OUT TO MY VEHICLE WHICH UNLOCKED WITH MY POD I WENT TO START IT AND ALL THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS CAME ON BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. I JUMPED THE BATTERY AND IT STARTED INSTANTLY SO I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTO STORE TO CHECK THE BATTERY WHICH THEY STATED WAS A GREAT BATTERY WITH A HIGH CH”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2018 Nissan ARMADA

Based on 40 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 45K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

Reported earliermedian 48K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 43K mi · 12 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 32K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (1)

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA12/09/2019

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Risk: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2018 Nissan ARMADA

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$3,001

Per month

$250

Per mile

25.0¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$3,429/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$2,527/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2018 Nissan ARMADA

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,723

Full coverage / month

$144

Liability only / year

$626

vs US avg

+3%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.98x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1723

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Nissan ARMADA Service Intervals

Oil change

5K mi / 6 mo

Tire rotation

5K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

105K mi

Spark plugs

105K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

CVT-equipped models (Altima, Sentra, Rogue, Pathfinder) MUST use Nissan NS-3 CVT fluid, not conventional ATF. Frequent CVT service extends life significantly.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Nissan New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Nissan. If you're buying a used 2018 ARMADA, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Nissan dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 115 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: I WENT OUT TO MY VEHICLE WHICH UNLOCKED WITH MY POD I WENT TO START IT AND ALL THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS CAME ON BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. I JUMPED THE BATTERY AND IT STARTED INSTANTLY SO I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTO STORE TO CHECK THE BATTERY WHICH THEY STATED WAS A GREAT BATTERY WITH A HIGH CH
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: VEHICLE SUDDENLY WOULD NOT START ON 12/21/2019, THUS LEAVING MY FAMILY AND I STRANDED IN A BRAND NEW VEHICLE. (REPORTED TO NISSAN ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE) BCI MALFUNCTION WARNING (SEE PHOTO) AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO AUTOMATICALLY APPLY THE BRAKE AS I WAS DRIVING AND I COULD NOT OVERRIDE IT. I FEEL THIS
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: CODE FOUND :P0138 (02), CODE FOUND :P0138 (PD) 02
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: BOUGHT A NEW 2018 NISSAN ARMADA IN DEC 2018 IN THE EVENING. NOT THINKING MUCH ABOUT IT PURCHASED MY NEW SUV AND DROVE HOME. SHORTLY AFTER MY PURCHASE I NOTICED IN THE SUN THAT MY TRUCK PAINT DIDN'T LOOK QUITE RIGHT. AFTER WASHING I NOTICED A COUPLE PAINT CHIPS AROUND THE DOOR AREA THAT WERE QUITE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Nissan dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)