DecodedCars2013 Nissan Armada
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2013 models.
- Class
- Standard 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
- 2 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- Few owner complaints11 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 127 for similar models.
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 15 MPG combined, 15% below the 2013 standard SUV average of 17.6 MPG.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 13 similar 2013 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2013 Nissan Armada is a standard 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), 15% worse than the 2013 standard SUV average of 17.6 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 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 11 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the service brakes.
What changed for 2013
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2012 Armada — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2012; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2012 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 | -15% | $4,450 | 601 |
| Armada 2WD FFV | 5.6L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 / 19 / 15 | -15% | $4,450 | 605 |
| Armada 4WD | 5.6L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 12 / 18 / 14 | -18% | $4,800 | 623 |
| Armada 4WD FFV | 5.6L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 12 / 18 / 14 | -18% | $4,800 | 622 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2013 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2013 Nissan Armada.
Similar 2013 standard SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 Nissan Armada (this car) | 15 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2013 Toyota Land Cruiser | 15 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2013 Ford Explorer | 23 MPG | Not rated | 11 |
| 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe | 21 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2013 Ford Expedition | 16 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2013 Nissan Pathfinder | 22 MPG | Not rated | 11 |
| 2013 Dodge Durango | 19 MPG | Not rated | 11 |
Recalls (2)
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Mar 30, 2020
NHTSA campaign 20V188000 · 216,678 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder · Sep 18, 2013
NHTSA campaign 13V451000 · 3,247 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Not every 2013 Nissan Armada is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2013 Nissan Armada buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Service Brakes — 5 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
- Electrical System — 2 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Air Bags — 2 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 90,000 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 2013 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 →