2020 Nissan Armada Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
73/100
#5 most-complained of 16 Armada years
The 2020 Nissan Armada has 27 NHTSA complaints and a Complaint Index of 73, ranking 5th worst out of 16 model years and earning a "Caution" verdict. Electrical system issues, especially a recurring BCI malfunction, dominate owner reports, alongside two recalls.
- Complaints
- 27
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes / fires
- 2 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 15.5
- 13.5 city / 18.5 hwy
Top 2020 Nissan Armada problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System11 (41%)
- Other7 (26%)
- Brakes6 (22%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras6 (22%)
- Engine4 (15%)
- Fuel System3 (11%)
- Airbags1 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (4%)
What owners report
- Owners report the BCI (brake control input) malfunction light coming on, sometimes preventing the car from starting or cranking.
- Some owners describe the vehicle losing the ability to brake or control speed when the BCI malfunction occurs.
- Brake light switches have failed repeatedly for some owners, with one reporting nine replacements over 35 months.
- An exterior mirror reportedly became extremely hot and then exploded, causing fire damage near the windshield area.
- Engine stalling at stops was reported, with the engine cutting off after braking and then accelerating.
- One owner's check engine light led to diagnoses of a failed charcoal canister purge valve and later a fuel pump and O-ring issue, at 74,000 miles.
2020 Nissan Armada recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V455000Jul 15, 2026Other168,149 vehicles
Equipment:other:labels
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Nissan Armada, 2011-2013 Infiniti QX56, and 2014-2027 QX80 vehicles equipped with 22" wheels. The Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) listed on the certification label is incorrect, which can allow the vehicle to be overloaded. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Risk: An overloaded vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install new labels, free of charge. Additionally, Nissan will mail replacement labels to owners. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed September 2, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated Fall 2026. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's numbers for this recall are R26B1 and P6A13/4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 16, 2026.
- NHTSA 21V373000May 20, 2021Fuel System24,140 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump:control/drive module
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Nissan Armada and 2020-2021 INFINITI QX80 vehicles equipped with V8 engines. The impeller can swell and bind within the fuel pump module, causing it to fail.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 4, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R21A2. Owners may contact INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200. INFINITI's number for this recall is R21A3.
2020 Nissan Armada fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 13.5 MPG
- Highway
- 18.5 MPG
- Combined
- 15.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,175
- 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.
2020 compared with other Armada years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Nissan Armada reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2020 Armada a Complaint Index of 73 and a "Caution" verdict, ranking 5th worst among the 16 model years with data. Electrical system complaints, at 41% of all reports, are the main concern.
- What are the most common problems with the 2020 Nissan Armada?
- Electrical system issues make up 41% of complaints (11 of 27), largely tied to a recurring BCI malfunction and brake light switch failures. Brakes and Collision Avoidance & Cameras each account for 22% of complaints.
- Does the 2020 Nissan Armada have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists two recalls: one for a fuel pump impeller issue that can cause engine stalling (campaign 21V373000), and one for incorrect GAWR labeling on vehicles with 22-inch wheels (campaign 26V455000). Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2020 Armada compare to other Armada years?
- The 2020 model's Complaint Index of 73 is worse than 2021 (40), 2022 (53), and 2023 (20), but better than 2017 (93), 2019 (87), and 2025 (100), which carry "Avoid" verdicts.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2020 Nissan Armada?
- The EPA rates the 2020 Armada at 15.5 mpg combined (13.5 city / 18.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,175.