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2010 Nissan Armada Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2010 Nissan Armada carries 5 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering seats and lower arm. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Overhead console detaching from ceiling while driving.” Nissan owner's manuals split service into Schedule 1 (severe) and Schedule 2 (normal). Most US drivers fall under Schedule 1. The biggest preventable failure on Nissan vehicles is CVT transmission damage from extended fluid intervals — owners of Altima, Rogue, Sentra, Pathfinder, and Murano with CVT should not skip it.

5 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

SEATS

Campaign #10V371000 · Sep 8, 2010

Issue: NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 NISSAN ARMADA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 7, 2010 THROUGH JUNE 11, 2010. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS." THE SECOND ROW CENTER SEAT HINGE ASSEMBLY WAS MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFICATION. THIS MAY PREVENT THE REAR CENTER SEATBACK FROM FULLY LOCKING IN THE IN-USE (UPRIGHT) POSITION.

Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SECOND ROW CENTER SEAT MAY NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SECOND ROW CENTER SEAT HINGES/LOCK FOR PROPER FUNCTION. IF THE SEAT DOES NOT LOCK AS DESIGNED, THE SECOND ROW CENTER SEAT HINGE ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 30, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

Campaign #10E019000 · May 20, 2010

Issue: NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT AND REAR LOWER LINKS, P/NOS. 54501ZQ00A, 54500ZQ00A, 551A1ZQ00A, 551A0ZQ00A , 54501EA00A, 54500EA00A, 551A1EA500, 551A0EA500, 54501ZR00A, AND 54500ZR00A, SOLD BETWEEN NOVEMBER 25, 2009 AND MAY 14, 2010 AS REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2010 TITAN, ARMADA, AND QX56, AND MODEL YEARS 2005 THROUGH 2010 FRONTIER, XTERRA, AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL LINK ASSEMBLY HAS TWO CYLINDRICAL COLLARS FORMING THE INBOARD ATTACHMENT POINTS TO THE CHASSIS. DUE TO AN IMPROPER WELDING PROCESS SOME COLLARS MAY CONTAIN WELDS THAT DO NOT MEET STRENGTH SPECIFICATIONS.

Risk: IF THE COLLAR WELD SEPARATES, THE VEHICLE HANDLING WILL DETERIORATE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Fix: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY AFFECTED LOWER LINK FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

Campaign #10V072000 · Feb 3, 2010

Issue: NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 TITAN, ARMADA, AND INFINITI QX56, AND MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 NISSAN QUEST VEHICLES. THE BRAKE PEDAL PIVOT PIN END WAS NOT SPIN-FORMED TO SPECIFICATION DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS OF THE BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY. THE PIVOT PIN COULD SLIDE AND CAUSE THE BRAKE PEDAL TO PARTIALLY DISENGAGE FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL BRACKET.

Risk: THE DRIVER WILL EXPERIENCE UNUSUAL AND NOTICEABLE LOOSENESS IN THE PEDAL AND A REDUCTION IN BRAKING FORCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT TO SEE IF THE PIVOT PIN HAD BEEN FORMED PROPERLY AND WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 22, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

Campaign #10V208000 · May 14, 2010

Issue: NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 TITAN, ARMADA, QX56, FRONTIER, XTERRA, AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 19, 2009 THROUGH MARCH 3, 2010. THE LOWER CONTROL LINK ASSEMBLY HAS TWO CYLINDRICAL COLLARS FORMING THE INBOARD ATTACHMENT POINTS TO THE CHASSIS. DUE TO AN IMPROPER WELDING PROCESS SOME COLLARS MAY CONTAIN WELDS THAT DO NOT MEET STRENGTH SPECIFICATIONS.

Risk: IF THE COLLAR WELD SEPARATES, THE VEHICLE HANDLING WILL DETERIORATE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Fix: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 20, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

Campaign #23V067000 · Oct 2, 2023

Issue: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2008-2011 Titan, Frontier, Xterra, Pathfinder, Armada, and 2008-2009 Quest vehicles. The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may develop cracks and detach during air bag deployment.

Risk: A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.

Fix: Dealers will replace the driver’s airbag cover. Owner letters were mailed December 8, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall are PC944, PC945, and PC946.

Recall data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2010 Nissan Armada.

Reported to NHTSA

Overhead console detaching from ceiling while driving

STRUCTURE

10 NHTSA complaints · 2012-11 → 2020-03

“THE OVERHEAD CONSOLE FOR MY 2010 NISSAN ARMADA FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING AND HIT MY SON (SEATED IN THE MIDDLE SECOND ROW) ON THE HEAD. THE PLASTIC FASTENERS FOR THE CONSOLE JUST DISINTEGRATED AND BROKE OFF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10875260
“WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT STRUCK A POTHOLE AND THE FRONT AND REAR OVERHEAD CONSOLES ALL FELL DOWN AT ONCE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11241387
“REAR CONSOLE FELL WHILE DRIVING, ON FREEWAY. COMPLETELY FELL FROM CEILING ONLY BEING ATTACHED BY WIRING. VERY DANGEROUS, JUST FORTUNATE THAT NO ONE WAS IN THE REAR SEATS SECOND AND THIRD ROW”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11052423

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Rear liftgate lock actuator fails to unlock

STRUCTURE

4 NHTSA complaints · 2013-01 → 2013-12

“YOU CAN LOCK THE LIFT GATE BUT IT WILL NOT UNLOCK. YOU HAVE TO CLIMB OVER SEATS AND USE EMERGENCY UNLOCK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10557664
“I ATTEMPTED TO ACCESS THE REAR LIFTGATE HOWEVER, IT FAILED TO OPEN AFTER PUSHING UNLOCK ON THE FOB AS WELL AS UNLOCKING MANUALLY ON THE INTERIOR DOOR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10496043
“THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCESS THE REAR LIFTGATE; HOWEVER, IT FAILED TO OPEN DUE TO THE FAULTY REAR DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10492239

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Cracked exhaust manifold and exhaust noise from engine

ENGINE

3 NHTSA complaints · 2018-03 → 2022-07

“IN JULY 2017 AND AT 90K MILES , MY 2010 NISSAN ARMADA BEGAN LEAKING EXHAUST FUMES INTO THE PASSENGER CABIN AND THE FUEL ECONOMY DROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11387016
“THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT COULD HEAR A LOUD SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHOM DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD NEEDING REPLACEMENT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11081482
“The contact stated while driving 5 MPH, he heard abnormal startling and ticking sounds coming from the engine. The check engine warning light was illuminated”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11473687

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag warning light and unexpected airbag deployment

AIR BAGS

5 NHTSA complaints · 2011-01 → 2025-10

“TAKARA RECALL: AIRBAG LIGHT IS FLASHING. AFRAID THE AIRBAG WILL NOT WORK IF IN AN ACCIDENT. NISSAN DEALERSHIP WILL CHARGE $1500.00 TO REPAIR. VEHICLE HASN'T BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SEVERAL WEEKS AGO”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10854173
“PRIORITY NISSAN MAZDA SOLD A 2010 NISSAN ARMADA WITH AN INCORRECT OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) AND REFUSED TO REPAIR THE SAFETY DEFECT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11021189
“SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AFTER HITTING LARGE POTHOLE. I WAS TAKING MY DAUGHTER AND HER FRIEND HOME FROM A DANCE CLASS AND FORTUNATELY NOBODY WAS INJURED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10376881

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake fluid loss and brakes locking up or losing pressure

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

5 NHTSA complaints · 2011-06 → 2024-08

“On Monday August 26th 2024 my wife came home and as she pulled in to park the brake pedal went to the floor. The passenger side front steer tire inside was covered in brake fluid”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11611553
“WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. IMMEDIATELY THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE CONTACT DETECTED THE SMOKE ORIGINATED FROM THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE CALIPER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10452165
“VEHICLE BRAKES ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS HAVE RANDOMLY LOCKED UP. LATEST INCIDENT OCCURRED 5/2011 IN WHICH I WAS APPROACHING A TRAFFIC CIRCLE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY BRAKES AND THEY BEGAN TO LOCK UP AND MAKE A LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND CEASED UP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10404252

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Sudden loss of engine power while driving

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

3 NHTSA complaints · 2011-09 → 2024-08

“I had a sudden power lose with no warning while traveling down interstate at 70mph in "fast lane". I had no power and steering the vehicle to safety was a serious challenge”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11483452
“This vehicles fuel control module has caused my children and me safety to put at risk by vehicle breaking down in the middle of traffic and not capable of starting vehicle back up”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11607971
“I HAVE CONCERNS WITH NISSAN VEHICLES LOSING POWER AND DYING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. WHEN CONSUMERS TAKE THE VEHICLES IN FOR DIAGNOSIS, THE COMPUTER DIAGNOSTICS CANNOT LOCATE THE PROBLEM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10428508

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 13, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 5,000 mi

Replace synthetic-blend or full-synthetic oil every 5,000 miles under Schedule 1. Schedule 2: 7,500 miles. VR30DDTT (3.0L twin-turbo): full synthetic only.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 5,000 mi

Rotate tires every 5,000 miles. Front-wheel-drive Nissans (Altima, Sentra, Versa) wear front tires fast — don't skip rotations.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

CVT Fluid (NS-3)

Every 60,000 mi

Nissan officially calls CVT fluid 'lifetime,' but independent technicians and Nissan TSBs recommend replacement every 60,000 miles to prevent CVT failure. Use Nissan NS-3 fluid only — substitutes destroy the belt-and-pulley system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$360–$500

Shop

~$255–$355

DIY

~$80–$180

CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake every 7,500 miles. Rogue and Pathfinder front pads typically last 35,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 2 years. Dark or amber fluid indicates moisture contamination.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles, sooner if driving on dusty unpaved roads.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Spark Plugs

Every 105,000 mi

Iridium-tipped spark plugs are rated 105,000 miles on QR25, MR20, and VQ35 engines. VR30DDTT: 60,000 miles due to higher cylinder pressures.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Long-Life Coolant

Every 75,000 mi

Nissan Long-Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue/green): first change at 105,000 miles, then every 75,000. Do not mix with other coolant chemistries.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Transfer Case / Rear Diff (AWD models)

Every 60,000 mi

Rogue AWD, Murano AWD, Pathfinder 4WD: replace transfer case fluid and rear differential fluid every 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. Located behind the glove box on Altima, Rogue, and Sentra.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

23 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

1

complaints mentioning a crash

1

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2010 Nissan Armada reflects Nissan's published service intervals and the Maintenance Reminder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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