YearToAvoid

2013 Nissan Armada Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Good The 2013 Nissan Armada ranks 16th out of 21 model years with a complaint index of 25, earning a Good verdict. NHTSA lists 17 complaints, 2 recalls, and Brakes as the top problem area with 8 complaints and a median failure mileage of 50,000.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
25/100
#16 of 21 Armada years
Verdict
Good
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
17
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
2
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
3
reported in complaints
Fires
1
Injuries
1
Top issue
Brakes
Best nearby year
2014
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
14.5
12.5 city / 18.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0

Top 2013 Nissan Armada problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Brakes8 (47%)
  2. Airbags3 (18%)
  3. Electrical System3 (18%)
  4. Seat Belts2 (12%)
  5. Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (12%)
  6. Transmission & Powertrain2 (12%)
  7. Engine1 (6%)
  8. Fuel System1 (6%)
  9. Other1 (6%)
  10. Structure & Body1 (6%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Drivers report brake pedals going to the floor with little to no stopping power, sometimes forcing them through intersections.
  • One owner described a rear driver-side wheel seizing at highway speed, causing the vehicle to shake and stop in the road.
  • Frontal airbags reportedly failed to deploy fully during a low-speed collision.
  • Some owners saw the passenger airbag shut off due to an electrical fault in the seat, disabling deployment for that side.
  • A transmission coolant line reportedly failed under mild acceleration, spraying fluid and causing a drive belt to slip off its pulley.
  • A seat belt lap buckle reportedly stayed loose even after being clicked in, despite showing no visible damage.
2013 Nissan Armada complaints: complaints filed per month2Feb 2013Dec 2013Aug 2014Jun 2018Jul 2019May 2020Dec 2024Jun 2025
17 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2013 to Jun 2025; peak Sep 2013 (2).

2013 Nissan Armada recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 20V188000Mar 30, 2020Airbags216,678 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

    Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2012-2017 NV Cargo and NV Passenger Van, 2013-2015 Titan and Armada and 2011-2012 Infiniti QX56 vehicles. Due to a manufacturing issue, the air bag inflator may not function properly or may rupture during deployment.

    Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or Infiniti customer service at 1-800-662-6200.

  2. NHTSA 13V451000Sep 18, 2013Brakes3,247 vehicles

    Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder

    Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013 Titan and Armada vehicles manufactured February 22, 2013, through May 3, 2013. The affected vehicles have a brake master cylinder which may intermittently reduce the pressure supplied to the front brakes.

    Risk: If the front brake pressure is reduced there would be less braking power, requiring a longer distance to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Nissan has notified owners, and dealers will replace the master cylinder, free of charge. The recall began on October 21, 2013. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

2013 Nissan Armada fuel economy and fuel cost

City
12.5 MPG
Highway
18.5 MPG
Combined
14.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,475
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2013 compared with other Armada years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2011Good4540114.5
2012Best2017114.5
2013Good2517214.5
2014Best512114.5
2015Good3521314.5

All Nissan Armada years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Nissan Armada reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2013 Armada has a complaint index of 25 and ranks 16th out of 21 model years, earning a Good verdict relative to other Armada years.
What is the biggest problem with the 2013 Nissan Armada?
Brakes are the top problem area, accounting for 8 of 17 complaints (47%), with a median failure mileage of 50,000.
Does the 2013 Nissan Armada have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2013 Armada: one for a brake master cylinder that could intermittently lose pressure, and one for a Takata front driver air bag inflator.
How many complaints does NHTSA have on file for the 2013 Nissan Armada?
NHTSA lists 17 complaints for the 2013 Armada, including 3 crashes, 1 fire, and 1 injury.
What is the fuel economy of the 2013 Nissan Armada?
EPA rates the 2013 Armada at 14.5 mpg combined (12.5 city / 18.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,475.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.