DecodedCars2008 Nissan Armada
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2008 models.
- Class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV 4WD Le
- Engines
- 5.6L 8-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline, FFV
- MPG (best)
- 14 combined · 12 city / 18 hwy
- Length
- 206.7 in
- Curb weight
- 5,847 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 4 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 14 MPG combined, 26% below the 2008 SUV - average of 18.9 MPG.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 19 similar 2008 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2008 Nissan Armada is a SUV - offered with a 5.6L 8-cyl engine and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-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 14 MPG combined (12 city / 18 highway), 26% worse than the 2008 SUV - average of 18.9 MPG, for an estimated $4,800 a year in fuel.
It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 74 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the service brakes.
What changed for 2008
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2007 Armada — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2007; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2007 Armada →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV 4WD Le | 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 | 12 / 18 / 14 | -26% | $4,800 | 635 |
| Armada 4WD | 5.6L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 / 17 / 14 | -20% | $4,800 | 635 |
| Armada 2WD FFV | 5.6L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 12 / 18 / 14 | -26% | $4,800 | 635 |
| Armada 4WD FFV | 5.6L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 / 17 / 14 | -20% | $4,800 | 635 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2008 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2008 Nissan Armada under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2008 SUV -s
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 Nissan Armada (this car) | 14 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2008 Toyota Land Cruiser | 15 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe | 21 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2008 GMC Yukon | 21 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2008 Ford Expedition | 14 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2008 Dodge Durango | 16 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2008 Ford Taurus | 22 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
Recalls (4)
Air Bags › Frontal · Feb 10, 2023
NHTSA campaign 23V067000 · 404,690 vehicles
- Problem
- 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 driverÂs 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.
Air Bags › Side/Window · Jul 22, 2010
NHTSA campaign 10V349000 · 21 vehicles
- Problem
- NISSAN IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2008 NISSAN ARMADA AND INFINITI QX56 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 7, 2007 THROUGH FEBRUARY 14, 2007. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION A-PILLAR FINISHER MIGHT IMPEDE THE CORRECT INFLATION OF THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG NEAR THE UPPER PORTION OF THE B-PILLAR.
- Risk
- INCORRECT INFLATION OF THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO A VEHICLE OCCUPANT IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH REQUIRING DEPLOYMENT OF THAT AIR BAG.
- Fix
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT FRONT PILLAR FINISHERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 16, 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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Pedals And Linkages · Mar 2, 2010
NHTSA campaign 10V072000 · 179,383 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
Not every 2008 Nissan Armada is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2008 Nissan Armada buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Service Brakes — 33 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
- Fuel/Propulsion System — 12 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.
- Electrical System — 10 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 104,797 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 2008 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 →