DecodedCars2005 Nissan Armada
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2005 models.
- Class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
- Engines
- 5.6L 8-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 14 combined · 12 city / 18 hwy
- Length
- –
- Curb weight
- –
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 2 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 14 MPG combined, 22% below the 2005 SUV - average of 18 MPG.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 43 similar 2005 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2005 Nissan Armada is a SUV - offered with a 5.6L 8-cyl engine and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 14 MPG combined (12 city / 18 highway), 22% worse than the 2005 SUV - average of 18 MPG, for an estimated $4,800 a year in fuel.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 100 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the service brakes.
Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Armada 2WD | 5.6L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 12 / 18 / 14 | -22% | $4,800 | 635 |
| Armada 4WD | 5.6L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 / 17 / 14 | -16% | $4,800 | 635 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2005 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2005 Nissan Armada under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2005 SUV -s
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 Nissan Armada (this car) | 14 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2005 Toyota Land Cruiser | 13 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2005 Toyota 4Runner | 18 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2005 Chevrolet Suburban | 15 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2005 Hyundai Tucson | 22 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2005 Toyota Highlander | 22 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 17 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
Recalls (2)
Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 28, 2010
NHTSA campaign 10V517000 · 747,480 vehicles
- Problem
- NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 ARMADA, TITAN, INFINITI QX56 AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 FRONTIER, PATHFINDER AND XTERRA VEHICLES. THE INTELLIGENT POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULE (IPDM) ASSEMBLY CONTAINS AN ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) RELAY THAT HAS A DIODE FOR ELECTRICAL CURRENT NOISE REDUCTION. THE ECM RELAY MAY ALLOW SILICON VAPOR TO FORM AND, OVER TIME, THE SILICON EVAPORATES FROM THE DIODE MOLDING WHICH CAUSES SILICON OXIDE TO DEVELOP ON THE ECM RELAY CONTACT DUE TO ARCING.
- Risk
- THIS COULD CAUSE ENGINE STALLING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Fix
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ECM RELAY INSIDE THE IPDM ASSEMBLY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 6, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Fuel System, Other › Storage › Fuel Gauge System · Mar 3, 2010
NHTSA campaign 10V074000 · 340,000 vehicles
- Problem
- NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2009 TITAN, ARMADA, AND INFINITI QX56 VEHICLES. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FUEL GAUGE MAY INACCURATELY DISPLAY THAT THE VEHICLE STILL HAS SOME FUEL, TYPICALLY ABOUT ONE QUARTER TANK, WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS EMPTY.
- Risk
- THIS COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF GAS AND STALL ON THE HIGHWAY, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH.
- Fix
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL SENDER UNIT INSIDE THE FUEL TANK WITH A NEW IMPROVED SENDER CARD. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 22, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Not every 2005 Nissan Armada is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2005 Nissan Armada buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Service Brakes — 47 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
- Fuel/Propulsion System — 31 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
- Air Bags — 14 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 130,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2005 Nissan Armada. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Armada years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Armada | 18 | 209.8 in | Not rated | 2 | 9 |
| 2025 Armada | 18 | 209.8 in | Not rated | 2 | 21 |
| 2024 Armada | 16 | 209.1 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 4 |
| 2023 Armada | 16 | 209.1 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 5 |
| 2022 Armada | 16 | 209.1 in | Not rated | 1 | 9 |
| 2021 Armada | 16 | 209.1 in | Not rated | 2 | 13 |
| 2020 Armada | 16 | 209.1 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 27 |
| 2019 Armada | 16 | 209.1 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 79 |
| 2018 Armada | 16 | 209.1 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 76 |
| 2017 Armada | 16 | 209.1 in | Not rated | 0 | 81 |
| 2015 Armada | 15 | 206.7 in | Not rated | 3 | 21 |
| 2014 Armada | 15 | 206.7 in | Not rated | 1 | 13 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Nissan. How we calculate this →