DecodedCars2012 Nissan Armada
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2012 models.
- Class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV 4WD Platinum
- Engines
- 5.6L 8-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline, FFV
- MPG (best)
- 15 combined · 13 city / 19 hwy
- Length
- 206.7 in
- Curb weight
- 5,847 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- Few owner complaints14 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 139 for similar models.
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 15 MPG combined, 28% below the 2012 SUV - average of 20.9 MPG.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 14 similar 2012 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2012 Nissan Armada is a SUV - offered with a 5.6L 8-cyl engine and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive.
It measures about 207 inches long and 79 inches wide on a 123-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 5,847 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 15 MPG combined (13 city / 19 highway), 28% worse than the 2012 SUV - average of 20.9 MPG, for an estimated $4,450 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the service brakes.
What changed for 2012
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2011 Armada — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2011; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2011 Armada →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV 4WD Platinum | 206.7 in | 78.7 in | 78.7 in | 123.2 in | 67.7 / 68.1 in | 5,847 lb | 50/50 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →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 | 13 / 19 / 15 | -28% | $4,450 | 592 |
| Armada 2WD FFV | 5.6L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 / 19 / 15 | -28% | $4,450 | 592 |
| Armada 4WD | 5.6L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 12 / 18 / 14 | -26% | $4,800 | 635 |
| Armada 4WD FFV | 5.6L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 12 / 18 / 14 | -26% | $4,800 | 635 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2012 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2012 Nissan Armada.
Similar 2012 SUV -s
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Nissan Armada (this car) | 15 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2012 Ford Explorer | 23 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe | 21 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2012 Ford Expedition | 16 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2012 Dodge Durango | 19 MPG | Not rated | 10 |
| 2012 Toyota Sequoia | 16 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2012 GMC Acadia | 19 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
Recalls (1)
Equipment › Other › Labels · Apr 4, 2012
NHTSA campaign 12V143000 · 26,626 vehicles
- Problem
- NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 TITAN AND ARMADA VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 12, 2011, THROUGH MARCH 13, 2012. THE PART 567 CERTIFICATION LABELS ON THE VEHICLES DO NOT CONTAIN RIM SIZE INFORMATION. THUS, THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, ÂTIRE SELECTION AND RIMS.Â
- Risk
- THE OMISSION OF THE RIM SIZE MAY LEAD TO AN INCORRECT TIRE/WHEEL COMBINATION WHICH MAY INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD OF A CRASH.
- Fix
- NISSAN WILL SUPPLY OWNERS WITH A NEW LABEL AND INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW INSTALL THE LABEL OR THE OWNER WILL HAVE THE OPTION OF TAKING THEIR VEHICLE TO A NISSAN DEALER TO HAVE THE NEW LABEL INSTALLED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 28, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-615-725-1000.
Not every 2012 Nissan Armada is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2012 Nissan Armada buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Service Brakes — 4 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
- Air Bags — 2 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Electrical System — 2 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 60,875 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 2012 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 →