DecodedCars2021 Nissan Armada
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2021 models.
- Class
- Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV
- Engines
- 5.6L 8-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 16 combined · 14 city / 19 hwy
- Length
- 209.1 in
- Curb weight
- 5,917 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 2 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- Few owner complaints13 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 205 for similar models.
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 16 MPG combined, 18% below the 2021 standard SUV average of 19.6 MPG.
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
- Higher rollover riskNHTSA estimates a 23.7% chance of rollover in a single-vehicle crash.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 9 similar 2021 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2021 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 209 inches long and 80 inches wide on a 121-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 5,917 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 16 MPG combined (14 city / 19 highway), 18% worse than the 2021 standard SUV average of 19.6 MPG, for an estimated $5,150 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 13 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the fuel/propulsion system.
What changed for 2021
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2020 Armada — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2020; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2020 Armada →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV | 209.1 in | 79.9 in | 76 in | 121.3 in | 67.7 / 68.1 in | 5,917 lb | 52/48 |
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 (S7) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 19 / 16 | -18% | $5,150 | 558 |
| Armada 4WD | 5.6L 8-cyl | Automatic (S7) | 4-Wheel Drive | 13 / 18 / 15 | -20% | $5,500 | 595 |
| Armada 4WD | 5.6L 8-cyl | Automatic (S7) | 4-Wheel Drive | 13 / 18 / 15 | -20% | $5,500 | 594 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2021 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Nissan Armada SUV AWD | Not rated | Not rated | –★ / –★ | Not rated | Not rated | ★★★★★ | 21.9% |
| 2021 Nissan Armada SUV RWD | Not rated | Not rated | –★ / –★ | Not rated | Not rated | ★★★★★ | 23.7% |
Similar 2021 standard SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Nissan Armada (this car) | 16 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser | 14 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2021 GMC Yukon | 23 MPG | ★★★★★ | 14 |
| 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe | 24 MPG | ★★★★★ | 16 |
| 2021 Ford Expedition | 19 MPG | ★★★★★ | 12 |
| 2021 Dodge Durango | 21 MPG | ★★★★★ | 8 |
| 2021 Toyota Sequoia | 15 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
Recalls (2)
Equipment › Other › Labels · Jul 15, 2026
NHTSA campaign 26V455000 · 168,149 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump › Control/Drive Module · May 20, 2021
NHTSA campaign 21V373000 · 24,140 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Not every 2021 Nissan Armada is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2021 Nissan Armada buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Fuel/Propulsion System — 4 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.
- Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking — 3 owner reports. Make sure driver-assist systems and the backup camera work without error messages.
- Engine — 3 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 34,000 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 2021 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 |
| 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 |
| 2013 Armada | 15 | 206.7 in | Not rated | 2 | 11 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Nissan. How we calculate this →