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Nissan Armada

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Comments

  • 04armadagalaxy04armadagalaxy Member Posts: 11
    I have driven 7800 miles on my vehicle since April. I average 15.7 mpg during my last 3 fill-ups. I drive 80% highway / 20% city at with the AC running all the time. My highway speed is 66 mph @ 1600 rpm. At that speed, the transmission neither upshift or downshift in my vehicle.
  • tsand1tsand1 Member Posts: 1
    Does anyone have information as to when the 2005 Armada's will be available? The quality problems (especially the roof vibration) has me concerned and am hoping this will be corrected with the new models. I have read where the 2005 Sequoias will have second row captain chairs as an option. This brings the Toyota in the running. Can't beat their quality.
  • tiggerguytiggerguy Member Posts: 76
    Just chiming in, the Galaxy LE 4X4 is about to roll over 10,000 miles, probably tomorrow on my way to work. I was without it all weekend, I left it with the dealer while I was travelling in PA so they could fix the rattle in my sunroof and do the oil change. I picked it up this evening and found it washed and cleaned, inside and out! Seems my salesman asked the service dept. to do it for me...he probably wants to encourage a happy owner, go fig- Still no major problems, My interior is starting to show some wear, but I have also been moving all my posessions to my new house with it- put a lot of scuffs in all the cheap plastic out back in the cavern, looks like i'm a lawn mower salesman now! Overall, still love the truck, only complaints are the cheaper than average interior materials. I'm also averaging around 15mpg, that's mixed city/highway, and a few impromptu drag races <VEG> =o)
  • presplanpresplan Member Posts: 30
    does anyone else feel like the steering wheel can literally jump out of your hands when you hit a pot hole or a series of bumps? I have the car for two months and just started to feel like the suspension has changed. No one else in the car notices it but me, so I think it has something to do with the steering wheel.
  • offroadnarmadaoffroadnarmada Member Posts: 65
    yes. it scared me at first, but if you notice, your vehicle doesnt move with the steering wheel at all. just let it fall back in your hands, and watch out for off-road bumps at high speeds (trust me, this truck NEEDED VDC, lol).
  • messmess Member Posts: 26
    I have about 9200 miles on mine, and yes I have noticed a change with the steering wheel. I drive the same crappy pot hole road everyday, and recently the steering wheel jumps out of my hands. No explaination though. Anyone else notice this??? What could be causing the change?
  • schowschow Member Posts: 15
    Thanks ddss...
    Just had the shimmy fixed at the Nissan dealership.
    When I brought it in, they stated that they already knew what the problem was and how to fix it.
    Now the truck runs fine, no shimmy.
  • messmess Member Posts: 26
    I have about 9200 miles on mine, and yes I have noticed a change with the steering wheel. I drive the same crappy pot hole road everyday, and recently the steering wheel jumps out of my hands. No explaination though. Anyone else notice this??? What could be causing the change?
  • schowschow Member Posts: 15
    I'll be darned!!!
    Turned off the AC and the fan shut off after about 30 seconds.
    Turned on the AC and the engine fan started running again.
    Thanks for answering my question about the constantly running fan.
  • klondike_x5klondike_x5 Member Posts: 33
    I guess I never thought anything of it since I use to drive a van and when I took a turn or did something weird it would sorta jump hard, so it never really bothered me. So it could have suspension problem?
  • soldaustinsoldaustin Member Posts: 91
    I was just telling my friend (who also has a Armada) about me hitting a bump a few days ago and the steering wheel jumped out of my hands, and over a really bumpy road it just jumps wildly back and forth. I was going to take it in next week to attempt to get new rotors. (calling Nissan first since the dealer wants to turn them again) So I really need to get this looked at. I don't hold out much hope though, as the rotor sound that came from under the hood was never found. The popping when you take off (every time after sitting a minute or so) was not found but it did it when I took the tech guy for a spin and he heard it but thats it, still doing it. I also need the roof fix. So looks like I will be out of the Armada for a while.
  • presplanpresplan Member Posts: 30
    I brought my car in for service to check out the steering issue. They tightened the power steering rack sliding force, and so far it seems 90% better than what it was before. The ride is nice and smooth once again, but I still feel just a little rebound in the wheel when going over bigger potholes.
  • cjs2002cjs2002 Member Posts: 341
    Ya know... a while back someone mention taking out the second row captain chairs for the bench... if a dealor could do that ... I wonder if they could just as easily put captain chairs in instead... I liked the armada and wanted to get just the very base (no extra things) but I liked the captain chairs in the back... makes me wonder why can't they just put the captain chairs in lue of the bench...? any thoughts just postin as a passer by
  • rparnellrparnell Member Posts: 27
    I'm sure a dealer would make the change - for a price. For what it's worth, my view is that the bench is a good option. The outer seats are genuine seats with recline and are pretty comfortable - I have had to travel in them quite a lot. The center armrest is reasonable, and be honest - if you have another bin in the car it will only get full of junk ! The middle seat in the row is not comfortable - but you can still force an adult to sit in it for an hour or so without too much complaint.

    The major benefit is that you can get 5 people in the car and still have all the luggage space with the third row dropped. Because the third row is not a split-fold, putting anybody in that row severely limits luggage space.

    Just my 2 cents...
  • ksloan77ksloan77 Member Posts: 28
    wow batman, best post ever about the junkster armada. yes, folks it has been awhile since i dazzeled you all with a blistering post...and dude, i know you have missed me bowke. but here is the good news...I GOT RID OF MY JUNK-PIT ARMADA!!! yes, just couldn't stand it anymore and took the beating of a lifetime in getting rid of this crap-mobile. no help at all from nissan i might add. so they have lost a previous 7-time buyer of nissan products. i hope they are happy...i sure am. not about loosing my a** on the trade mind you, but now i am driving something that feels like a car ought to feel...an acura mdx. as brucewayne said "shudders, squeaks, rattles, etc. everytime I drive on a road that isn't perfectly smooth" was getting to be just too much for me. i really hope all of you that are considering buying this peice of crap will reconsider. it is no lie, that this vehicle's build quality is unbelievably bad! and good luck to all of you who are stuck with it!! might as well go ahead and get to know the guys at your dealership....you will be seeing them very often and spending lots of time together. so i bid you all adue and many happy miles of driving pleasure...as long as you are drving ANYTHING but an armada!!!
  • bowke28bowke28 Member Posts: 2,185
    at least use the spellchecker, dude!

    adieu.
  • klondike_x5klondike_x5 Member Posts: 33
    Can you see this?____________________It's the world's smallest violin; playing your song.
  • skssks Member Posts: 3
    Over 15K problem free miles in my Armada. Best truck I ever owned !! Good luck with your new truck, I mean car.

    PS, you will be missed !! LOL
  • klondike_x5klondike_x5 Member Posts: 33
    what kind of gas mileage are you getting?
  • 514329514329 Member Posts: 60
    just fillup my tank and cause me $46.67 for 87 octane rating. came out 13.86 mpg now w/ mix city, mountain and highway driving.
  • skssks Member Posts: 3
    I have been getting an average of about 15-16 mpg with a 50/50 split city and highway. It gets alot better if I do a long trip on the highway and keep it at 70 to 65 mph.
  • boomer1bboomer1b Member Posts: 316
    How come your here and at the Titan board busting on the poor folks that are all having the same problems ? I don't see any of the "jumpy steering" problems on the titan board tho.

    Hmmmmmm........
  • tloke1tloke1 Member Posts: 185
    "at least use the spellchecker, dude!"

    Bowke, did *your* spellchecker miss the capital "A" at the beginning of your sentence??
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    ... we've all said our goodbyes. Now let's get back on topic! :-)

    tidester, host
  • bowke28bowke28 Member Posts: 2,185
    spellchecker doesnt do caps or punctuation.

    as for the armada/titan board, i deal with nissan products as a whole every day.
  • edloeseredloeser Member Posts: 15
    We've driven our Galaxy 4X4 LE Armada w/ bench seat, DVD, Bose, upgrade pkg and no sunroof or tech for around 6,000 miles since the beginning of the year and except for a few minor items have loved it big time. Moderate cabin resonance and a non-functioning rear liftgate handle (the automatic lift gate doesnt open when you operate the handle-must be a loose connection or a short) have been the only problems whatsoever. Neither of them have been a big enough annoyance to take it back to the dealer yet although we will eventually get around to it. Id also like to let a little time pass before getting the roof/cabin resonance issue worked on to let the dealer get a little experience with the fix under their belt. I have not read through any posts since probably March- any new developments on the resonance issue and/or any other major problems shown up in the last few months?
    We have loved the truck. We've driven SLC-San Diego loaded down in super hot weather, gone to the cabin a few times over 6-7 miles each way of rough dirt washboard roads, towed a couple of times and have generally stacked it full of all kinds of crap and kids and have appreciated the space, comfort, utility, power and smoothness the whole time. No squeaks, shimmies, steering wheel jerk, broken stuff, etc. Other than the couple of issues we need to get fixed, we obviously scored one of the early Armadas that came out the way they were intended to be built. Of course we've only got 6,000 miles on it and time will tell if it holds up as it has, but we arent nice to it and I think that any major initial-quality problems would have manifested themselves by now if they were there. My only semi-regret was getting the Galaxy paint job. It is beautiful when it is clean- unfortunately it has only been clean enough to be beautiful around 10% of the time. It doesnt take much to start looking dingy. I'd consider trading for a similarly-equipped truck in a color more suitable for our dusty mountain environment if anyone is so inclined. My dad warned me- I guess Im still not smart enough to listen to him.
  • schowschow Member Posts: 15
    Hello.
    Curious to know what's a "Galaxy" Armada? Haven't heard of that before...
  • bowke28bowke28 Member Posts: 2,185
    galaxy=black
  • skssks Member Posts: 3
    Glad to hear to you are enjoying your Armada !! I have a similarly equipped Armada with more than twice as many miles (Built 1/20/04) and have not had any issues. No resonance or rattles so far, and I hit some nasty roads working in NYC. I think I may need to get the TSB performed on the brakes soon as I am starting to feel a little vibration in the steering wheel while braking. I love the Armada !!

    I choose the Silver color as it was the easiest to keep clean . I had a black truck once and it was a nightmare keeping it clean, so I feel for you.
  • klondike_x5klondike_x5 Member Posts: 33
    If you hate cleaning then don't buy the "Deep water blue" color. It's a once a week detail I don't look fwd to on the weekends. Living in the deserts of SoCal makes it a pain, but it shines good when clean.
  • 514329514329 Member Posts: 60
    I too has a galaxy color and this is my second black car after that SPEC V and I know from the start that its easy to see the dirt but I love it when it's clean and shiny. that pushes me to wash it and at the same time a workout on weekend (I don't go to the gym on Saturdays and Sundays) he he he!!!!!!!
  • schowschow Member Posts: 15
    Just tried the Mr. Clean car wash kit (no need to dry, won't leave water spots) on my vehicle. Worked great! No need to dry off which saves a big step. Washing my car isn't as big a deal anymore.
  • 514329514329 Member Posts: 60
    have you tried using it under the sun cause I'm thinking of getting one. I'm spending about $8.00 for my Armada and $7.00 for my wife 01 PF LE and that's every 2 weeks and I have to drive 6.3 miles for a car wash w/ spot free rinse.
  • tloke1tloke1 Member Posts: 185
    "I choose the Silver color as it was the easiest to keep clean"

    I have always been aware that certain color vehicles were more difficult to keep clean than others, but I had no idea of the exact differences until I went in back of a dealer's "bullpen" a couple years ago in search of a specific color for the vehicle I was considering. The storage area was very dirty and dusty and while walking through the rows of cars, I couldn't believe the differences in how they each "showed" the dirt. When I came across a silver one, I knew that was the one to buy. Although just as dirty as all the others, it looked like it was just washed! I've owned it for several years now and people at work and elsewhere always ask me how I keep my vehicle so clean, how much time I must spend washing it. They never believe me when I tell them it has been "several weeks" sometimes. And I live where it rains a few times a month.
  • schowschow Member Posts: 15
    Yeah, it worked great.
    I used it once so far, but at dusk. Instructions state not to wash in the sun. Left no water marks whatsoever. Well worth it, saves an entire step for the car wash.
  • aggiedogaggiedog Member Posts: 238
    I'm glad you commented on the Mr. Clean. I've had it in my garage for about 2 months. I guess I should give it a shot since I paid for it.
  • jack danielsjack daniels Member Posts: 8
    Yes, they can! The dealer I am working with here in Texas will do it. I guess it depends on how bad they want to move them adn considering this dealer has over half of his Armada's on his lot from November 2003.
  • btill1btill1 Member Posts: 69
    I have 14,200 miles on my Armada my mileage is improving to where I am pleased with it. I drove up to the White Mountains in NH over the weekend and in mostly highway driving averaged 17.2 MPG. While in the White mountains we took a trip over the Kangamangus Pass and we averaged 16.2 MPG which I thought was very respectable, it was great to have the added power going up the mountains. I still have had no major problems with my Armada and really do love it!
  • golfhackgolfhack Member Posts: 5
    I am presently shopping for Armada LE. I'm getting some good pricing but will wait for the August incentives before purchasing.
    Some postings on this forum have discussed the second row bench vs. captains seats.. The vehicles I have shopped in inventory all have the captains chairs but we want the bench.. I asked one salesperson (he seems very professional) about the ability to swap from captains to bench and he said "couldn't be done"... Anybody really know if it is a simple change out?
  • rparnellrparnell Member Posts: 27
    I don't think dealers will normally change out the captains chairs - certainly not without a lot of money changing hands. I have an LE with bench - there are a few around and I suspect that a dealer would be willing to hunt one out for you. Alternatively you can hunt for one through the Nissan website - it's laborious going through each entry to see if it has bench seats, but that is all.
  • rhadrjrhadrj Member Posts: 1
    Just my opinions here, but I have a few ideas as to why same issues keep coming up in here.

    First the quality issue - Nissan, I believe, is trying to go more still for that rugged guy look. With the bigger engine to match. If you wanted a bigger minivan alternative, this is not the truck. I just replaced my 2003 Dodge (Hemi Powered) 3/4 Ton Pickup truck with a 2004 LE earlier this week. If you wanted to stay away from the American Manufacturers, as I did, and wanted a larger sized SUV, this is really the only option (Staying under 50K). The Sequoia just had nothing for me except the little nicer interior. No engine and no styling certainly turned me off.

    The armada may have some first year issues, but don't you think that most people that are here, are here to complain about problems. People that are happy certainly don't go looking for avenues to vent their positive experiences to the world.

    Also the constant comments on here about quality is not what they'd expect on a 35-40K vehicle. What do they expect? 60-70K quality. 35-40K isn't that much on a vehicle of this size and options. My wife drives a 2004 545i (BMW) - now that has some serious quality aspects. But there is about 15K difference in price tags - plus my armada is twice the vehicle.

    It was just tough reading all of these comments on here before I bought - before I finally came to the realization (looking through the other vehicle forums) that MOST people out here are just looking for a venting area, more than giving their positive review of the armada.

    I hope I have a positive experience with my new ride and if not - I have a bumper to bumper warranty for 100K miles!
  • waynebrucewaynebruce Member Posts: 16
    A couple of observations about your post:

    Yes, people come here to vent. But we also provide a public service. When you're about to buy a $35k truck, a little research is worth while. When I purchased my Armada SE 4x4 back in January, there weren't too many posts to read. I wish I had waited some more. I fully expected some first year issues, but did not think that the number of problems and defects in this vehicle would be as bad as they are. The build quality on this truck is HORRENDOUS!! Cheap plastic, squeaks, rattles, shakes, etc. That 100k warranty you bought won't do anything for you if your truck develops these problems. So far the mechanicals on my truck seem ok and would hazard a guess that the long term MECHANICAL components on this truck will hold out over time. What pains me is that every time I drive the thing I am constantly reminded how poorly it is put together....way too many rattles, clicks, misaligned trim pieces etc. I shared your opinion about the only alternative if you wanted a large Japanese SUV. But please do not say you can't have quality in this price range: Toyota delivers it and makes this Nissan product look silly. And don't knock the American manufacturers....I have driven in the new Durango and it's build quality is superb, particularly when compared to my creaky Armada. No rattles, no squeaks....sounded rock solid to me. So to the dealer who tells me that what I hear is normal for a truck....yeah right!! And if any of you think Nissan will do anything, forget about it. I've tried and they don't care. So I'm stuck with this rattle bucket for a couple of more years so the sting of the depreciation will hurt less. Sure they may eventually fix it, but Nissan problems with all the vehicles coming out of Canton are well documented. Now they have a reputation for inferior prodcuts and low JD powers satisfaction scores. Such is life I suppose. So I warn all who are considering this truck to think twice...I have nothing to gain by saying that since I already own the junker....but why risk it. And it's not just Nissan...same issues with the Infinit QX56....read some of the forums on that truck...same problems!! There are people on the board who have reported good quality and experiences with their trucks. But there are many like me who are not that fortunate. For all the people reading about this truck, hear both sides and make up your own mind.

    Hey Nissan, maybe next year you'll do better...but I guess you'll have to slap another big rebate on this junker to move all of them off the dealer lots. Worst new car experience I've had after 5 new cars, both domestic and import!!
  • vmccaulvmccaul Member Posts: 27
    Well, just to give people both sides, as waynebruce says. My Armada LE 4x4 has over 10,000 miles, and other than a misaligned sunroof (now fixed, no further problem) has had no squeaks, rattles, dreaded resonance, rotor problems etc... It did have a problem with a rattle in the drivers window, but that seemed to clear up on its own and hasn't come back. The only other complaint is the DVD console which seems to vibrate (no noise associated with it) excessively. However, I have no complaints from the kids watching it, and I'm never back there to see it, so hasn't been a major issue! Actually I think this truck has been mostly problem free and the fit and finish is fine for me. I bought it as a full size truck/suv for towing, hauling kids/dogs, and going through deep snow and off road. It is a truck, not a limo. And as far as trucks go, I'd say it has a pretty nice ride.
  • schowschow Member Posts: 15
    We have an Armada LE with second row bench seating. It's a zero cost option (look in the brochure), you just have to be able to find an LE with that option.
  • schowschow Member Posts: 15
    I would have to disagree. My other vehicle is a BMW 645ci. The postings for that vehicle have been nothing but outstanding. I guess people do search out sites just for compliments. As far as the Armada is concerned. There definitely is a quality control issue. Too many complaints about the same issues. I don't seem to hear the same about the Sequioia.
  • tloke1tloke1 Member Posts: 185
    Quote by rhadrj:
    ...the constant comments on here about quality is not what they'd expect on a 35-40K vehicle. What do they expect? 60-70K quality...

    No, what they expect is "35-40k" quality, and a lot of vehicles out there in that same price range provide excellent quality. To most of the average folks out there, 40k is indeed a lot of money to spend on a vehicle. You can argue the excuse that the Armada is a "new" vehicle and therefore is subject to some problems like any other new vehicle. But, some of these issues are so blatantly obvious that is hard to understand how they could have gotten past any reasonable level of quality control.

    WHY isn't the roof issue SOLVED yet? This is the end of the model year, Nissan has had a long time to work on this problem. There is absolutely no excuse that these defective vehicles are still coming out of the factory. Production should have been stopped until the fault was fixed. Period. But no, that would cost $$, and Nissan, following the footsteps of another famous import manufacturer, is skirting the issue looking for a $12 solution. Too bad someone at Nissan is not bright enough to realize the amount of $$ lost due to the negative publicity that is continuing to grow for this vehicle. Pretty soon it will be too late. Had the engineers at Nissan come up with a solution early in the model year no one would have even remembered that there was a resonance problem.

    Quote by rhadrj:
    "MOST people out here are just looking for a venting area, more than giving their positive review of the armada."

    What do you expect them to do? Be happy about all of the problems? I think most people have a reasonable amount of patience when purchasing a new vehicle as far as dealing with a few problems. When it goes beyond that you cannot expect them to come on message boards and gloat about their new purchase. From what I see, many of the owners that are bringing up problems are also mentioning some of the positives. But when the problems become too numerous and overbearing what do you expect them to do?

    The boards may be a "venting area" at times, but at the same time they provide a venue for the sharing of information and experiences that in many cases lead to solutions. Is some of this "venting" considered harsh? Perhaps, but when one is deluged with a series of problems on a brand new vehicle you can't blame them for being upset and conveying that in their posts. Many of the problems on the new Armada should have never reached the showroom. Period.
     
  • aggiedogaggiedog Member Posts: 238
  • klondike_x5klondike_x5 Member Posts: 33
    I'm still amazed at some of the post I read here at this forum. I figured that everyone takes a test drive or two before the buy a vehicle. It only makes since when you are pouring your hard earned cash into a 30k investment. I keep reading things on how the interior looks cheap and so-on. I'm just a little confused why would someone drop 30-40 grand on a truck they think looks cheap on the inside.

    As far as the rattling goes, man you guys really need to make Nissan do their jobs; there is no way in the hell I would stand for the "problems" I have read on this forum, and it's really crazy that you guys put up with lame excuses. In California after I believe 3/4 of the SAME reports you can use the lemon law. The key is that the wording has to be EXACTLY the same; you can't let them change any of your words.
    Wise up people, and for those of you who don't own this truck.
    GET A LIFE
  • cericceric Member Posts: 1,092
    Hi, klondike:

    I don't own this truck. I have been interested in it and holding off purchase until the problems are sorted out. I have test-driven one, researched about Armada and QX56 extensively. And, I posted here occasionally to contribute what I know.

    Can I stick around here? ... Good, and I will.
  • tiggerguytiggerguy Member Posts: 76
    -Just wanted to chime on on the subject as well. I'm about 11k on mine, and still no major problems. There have been a few squeaks and rattles and loose things, but overall, it has been very good to me, and my dealer has been very good about handling any issues that came up. I knew when I went into the purchase of this that there would be first year glitches. I also knew that the interior was crap compared to some others, but for my nearly 48 grand purchase (every option checked off) I wanted and needed serious towing power and also wanted a little fun in my ride. I'm sorry, but the Sequoia is neither fun or a serious tow vehicle (unless you own a small boat). The Durango, while greatly improved, is simply not full size, no matter how you cut it. I got what I expected and wanted, I'm happy to be away from GM and the liars that sell and service their vehicles. I do feel badly for the people who have had a tough time, I've been there with other vehicles (GM) and I do hope Nissan gets their act together soon. If they can't show they can fix all the gremlins that should have never gone out the door, they will lose a lot of customers. If Toyota could stuff a real motor in that Sequoia, they could steal away a lot of seroius players in the SUV market, the people that actually USE their SUV's like the trucks they really are.
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