Nissan Armada: 24 Consumer Complaints and More Reasons Why You Should Avoid This Model Year
Learning from the mistakes of other car owners can save you thousands when purchasing a used vehicle. That’s because some are so bad you should never buy them. One such horrendous ride is a particular Nissan Armada model year. With two dozen consumer complaints and a laundry list of other drawbacks, this Nissan Armada model is one you should avoid altogether.
Cars you should avoid at all costs
Forbes compiled a list of 32 vehicles consumers should steer clear of when car buying. The data comprises everything from outdated vehicle designs to reliability concerns. And the 2019 Nissan Armada appears in the roundup.
Forbes says to avoid this Armada model year for poor reliability, above-average ownership costs, and terrible fuel economy of only 13 mpg combined.
The Acura ILX, Fiat 500, and Dodge Caravan join the Nissan Armada on this not-so-hot list. A few luxury vehicles appear too, including the Lincoln MKS, Cadillac XTS, and Maserati Ghibli.
Sure, buying used is smart, but not if you get one of those vehicles.
These 2019 Nissan Armada problems make it an SUV to avoid
Forbes isn’t the only critic of the 2019 Nissan Armada. The team points to poor scores from Consumer Reports regarding owners’ quality and reliability concerns. And Edmunds says the third row is cramped for a full-size SUV, and it’s hard to lift anything into the Armada’s cargo area. Taking another hit, the 2019 model’s lack of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration is a dealbreaker for many consumers.
Car and Driver cites other imperfections 2019 Nissan Armada flaws, including imprecise steering. NHTSA crash test scores and ratings aren’t great either, with a 2-star front driver-side crash rating and a 3-star front passenger-side crash rating out of 5 stars. Rollover ratings are only 3 stars — not good considering many SUVs earn a 4- or 5-star rating.
Other big reasons to avoid the 2019 Nissan Armada are the 24 consumer complaints reported to the NHTSA. As recently as last month, owners have reported electrical system malfunctions, including the automatic emergency braking system engaging for no reason, the vehicle not starting or not shifting into gear, the battery draining quickly and leaving drivers stranded, and faulty software.
You should probably never buy the 2020 Nissan Armada either
The 2020 Armada isn’t earning any brownie points as the budget-friendly SUV Nissan classifies it. It’s just OK. It’s not revolutionary in any substantive way and is easily outshone by the Dodge Durango and Chevy Tahoe.
The 2020 Armada’s fuel economy is pretty dismal, with 14 mpg in the city and 19 mpg in the city. And as far as price goes, it’ll still set you back around $47,000 depending upon the trim, which isn’t that far off from the $49,000 Tahoe.
Critical reviews of the 2020 Armada include uncomfortable seating on long drives, stiff steering, and a bumpy and jostling ride. In addition, the tech isn’t as user-friendly as most infotainment systems these days. Overall, the Nissan Armada continues to be a sub-par SUV, according to reviewers.
Buying a large SUV can be less costly if you consider a used model that’s a year or two old. So before you commit to a new-to-you three-row SUV, take a close look at the critics’ reviews, consumer complaints, and official crash test scores. The 2019 Nissan Armada (and even the 2020 model) might be more hassle than it’s worth.
Of course, not every Armada translates to a lousy ownership experience. But you can learn from the lessons of others and maybe dodge a poor investment.
