2004 Nissan Armada: engine overheating

Filed Apr 17, 2015 · Brakes, Steering · 3,500 miles · CA

Nissan armada has a known problem with it's front brakes being undersized in the early models of said vehicles (model years 2004-2006). Several times have had issues with brakes not respoding and lost control of vehicle. This is caused by undersized breaks. Not having proper sized brakes has LED to rotors easily overheating and glazing the brake pads which then LED to hot spotted, warped, or otherwise ruined front rotors and pads. The greatest unsafe symptom is that especially in the warmer months the overheating of the rotors would cause the anti-lock front brake system sensors to trigger (false positive) randomly and you would dangerously lose control of the vehicles ability to brake (and steer) safely.

Filed Mar 2, 2015 · Brakes, Steering · 87,000 miles · OH

Nissan armada (and titan which is identical mechanically) has a known problem with it's front brakes being undersized in the early models of said vehicles (model years 2004-2006). This can easily be confirmed by nissan's three changes they have made to the front brakes of these vehicles even though the vehicles have essentially remained unchanged from years 2004 right up though the current model year 2015. They first changed the rotor thickness, then the rotor diameter (320mm to 350mm) and the calipers/torque members/brake hoses, then finally they changed the inner hub diameter of the rotor due to an increase in the hub/bearing size (82mm to 90mm). Nissan had issued at least one tsb about this problem but they never issued a recall which is what they should have done. The core issue is that these rather large full size SUV's and pickup trucks were designed initially with front brakes that were severely undersized for the weight/size of the vehicle. This LED to the vehicles rotors easily overheating and glazing the brake pads which then LED to hot spotted, warped, or otherwise ruined front rotors and pads. Another symptom (that I believe it caused and the most dangerous part) is that especially in the warmer months the overheating of the rotors would cause the anti lock front brake system sensors (located within the front wheel hub) to trigger (false positive) randomly and you would dangerously lose control of the vehicles ability to brake (and steer) safely. Turning the vehicle off momentarily and restarting would "clear" the problem but never the less extremely unsafe. I have contacted nissan of north america customer service and informed them of this but they are unwilling to help other than to tell me to take it to a dealer at my own cost. I said I would be happy to do so if they covered the cost of the "diagnostics" but they refused.

Filed Feb 5, 2005 · Brakes · 3,422 miles · CA

Front brakes overheating causing premature rotor warpage and steering "judder".

Filed Dec 23, 2004 · Body, Brakes · CA

The vehicle's home-link system failed. *nm the consumer stated that the memory seats for the driver does not work. A vibrating noise was heard from the heat shield from the exhaust manifold. Vibrating noise heard from the interior courtesy light lens. The liner on the roof passenger liner is separating. Tire pressure sensor malfunctioned. Rotors warped on the front brakes as a result of inadequate size to the vehicle and inadequate venting which resulted in overheating. The consumer can not control the vehicle when braking from high speeds. The consumer heard a booming noise from the passenger compartment. The consumer stated that there is a problem with the radio reception. Cracks developing in the engine compartment heat shield. Headphones for the dvd system where not provided.

Filed Dec 21, 2004 · Suspension · DE

While attempting to tow a trailer the vehicle's fuel mileage was reduced by 40%. *nm the consumer stated when the incident occurred, the transmission overheated, and the truck suddenly swayed at speeds over 60 MPH. The consumer was told by the manufacturer that the problems he experienced was due to the vehicle being over loaded. However the consumer stated never did the tongue or total tow weight exceed the nissan manual recommendations. The consumer believed that the vehicle did not have an adequate suspension to tow the weights the company represents.