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Nissan Armada abs comes on

175 of the 1,857 owner complaints about the Nissan Armada describe aBS light or ABS activating, most of them for the 2004 model year.

owner complaints
175
worst model year
2004
typical repair cost reported
$1,000
typical mileage
72,500
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

Often reported together

Grinding brakes 71Brake failure 37Spongy pedal 8Shudder 5Fuel gauge 3Warning lights 2Loss of power 2

Trouble codes mentioned

C1179 16U1001 1U1000 1P1832 1P1831 1P1828 1

What owners say

Filed Nov 3, 2026 · Electrical · TX

My 2022 Nissan Armada has experienced recurring electrical and starting failures despite multiple battery replacements. The vehicle has had four batteries, yet the underlying issue remains unresolved. On [XXX], the vehicle failed to start and required towing to Cavender Nissan in Rockwall, Texas. On [XXX], the dealership documented a failed battery and blown positive battery terminal fusible links. The vehicle was repaired and returned to service. On [XXX], at 56,309 miles, the battery was replaced again. On [XXX], at approximately 67,038 miles, the vehicle again failed to start after being driven earlier that day. The dashboard illuminated, but the engine would not crank. Clicking noises occurred during starting attempts, and several warning messages appeared, including “System fault — See Owner’s Manual” and “Malfunction,” along with ABS and brake warning lights. Attempts to jump-start the vehicle using two other vehicles were unsuccessful. On [XXX], a roadside assistance provider successfully started the vehicle using a commercial jump starter. Cavender Nissan subsequently inspected the vehicle and reported that the battery, alternator, and starter passed testing. The battery measured 726 of 780 rated cold-cranking amps. No parasitic-draw test was performed, and the cause of the recurring failures remains unknown. These unpredictable failures create a safety concern because the vehicle can leave its driver stranded without warning. The vehicle has been inspected repeatedly by the dealership, but no permanent solution has been identified. I am requesting an investigation into the recurring electrical and starting failures affecting this vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 14, 2026 · Brakes · 137,479 miles · KY

The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Armada. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at approximately 50 MPH, all four brakes engaged independently, and the rear brake lights failed to illuminate. The ABS, Lane Assist, Traction Control, Collision, Blind Spot, and BC1 warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the ABS module and Brake Control Actuator required replacement. Upon further investigation, the contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V601000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure via telephone. The failure mileage was approximately 137,479.

Filed Aug 20, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · TN

The ecm tells the abs to kick on the parking brake causing it to not have brakes while driving down the road unless you pull over and turn the car off and back on.

Filed Aug 19, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · 60,000 miles · WA

The contact owns a 2022 Nissan Armada. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced abnormal battery drain, and the vehicle failed to immediately start. The contact stated that the ABS warning light was illuminated during the failure. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The battery was fully charged at the dealer, and the following day the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

Filed Sep 2, 2025 · Brakes · CA

Earlier in the year the brake light (some times with slip and ABS) came on the dash and suddenly braking was diminished. There was a horrid grinding sound plus vibration under the pedal. I was on highway 17 (a dangerous mountain freeway in CA) going downhill and it was extremely scary as has a car full of friends kids and hardly any brakes. I braked as much as it would allow, down shifted and pulled to the side (which again if you google that highway people die all the time from idiot drivers/speeders/tight corners). I instinctively turned off the car and got out to check off something had gotten caught in my wheel but nothing. I turned the car on and the problem had gone so drove to the nearest garage but he couldn't find anything wrong. I called Nissan but they said they knew of no problems with breaking systems on the Armada and said to bring it in and pay for an expensive diagnosis. When I got home I googled it and found 100s of similar experiences with all sorts of repairs at Nissan that hadn't worked. Some say brake booster, others sensor, other reset or upgrade hardware. Not one actually fix so far but I did find a couple of lawsuits for the same reason so don't understand how this is not a recall. The second time I was in town so it wasn't too bad but hard to stop at the crossing for a pedestrian and today it went again going back up the mountain but luckily don't need to brake much going in that direction. If it can't be fixed and it involves brakes then surely this is a serious safety violation. I also noticed that others are having a similar problem with newer Armadas with a newly upgraded braking system from Nissan and another lawsuit is on file. How is this being ignored? My car is 20 and I was looking into another Nissan but if they don't stand by and honor their mistakes then I really have no faith in them

Filed Aug 24, 2025 · Brakes · OK

There is a common known issue with the Armadas that Nissan has not addressed, where you will randomly get a "BCI Malfunction" warning, sometimes corresponding to a warning about the ABS System. The car will not shift out of the current gear when this happens, until you turn it off and back on again. If you are really unlucky, like I am, this will progress to the car randomly applying the brakes and initiating hard stops, in traffic. This happened to me two days ago in traffic and I narrowly escaped an accident. I had to get the car towed home and it still intermittently does this. The brakes locked up so badly that the car was covered in smoke and appeared to be on fire. This is terribly unsafe, and Nissan needs to fix it, because it is more likely that an Armada owner WILL encounter this, than that they won't, and people are going to be injured and/or killed, if they have not already. This is very serious. Please help.

Filed Apr 14, 2025 · Brakes, Driver assistance · UT · crash

BCI (Back-up Collision Intervention) Malfunction. It's random when this comes up on the dashboard warning lights. It lights up several other things as well. It doesn't allow you to use the cruise control, or the 4-wheel drive. It disables the ABS and traction control. I don't know how this is not a recall, because I see several forums talking about this issue for this vehicle specifically in this year. We took it to the dealership, and they brushed it off, and claimed they didn't know how to fix it. It has caused multiple problems and has put my family at harms risk due to it disabling the safety features.

Filed Mar 26, 2024 · Brakes · CA

The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Armada. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to slow the vehicle, the contact heard an abnormal sound emanating from the brake pads, requiring increased effort to slow the vehicle. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The ABS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Jan 8, 2024 · Transmission · 55,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Armada. The contact stated that while driving at low rates of speed, the vehicle came to an abrupt stop with the check engine and ABS warning lights illuminated. The contact was forced to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate above 30 MPH. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the contact was initially informed that the output speed sensor was defective; however, later the contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed. The vehicle was not yet repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

Filed Aug 14, 2023 · Brakes · CO

On a short drive back home on a sunny warm day and was going relatively slow (~20 MPH) and tried to slow down to make a turn. The pedal went to the ground and braking was ineffective (slowed down 2 or 3 mph every time I hit the brakes). Seems like the ABS was kicking in, even though we were not sliding. I was just trying to slow down. I was finally able to slow down and stop the vehicle and I pulled off the side of the road to inspect. The "BRAKE" light was illuminated even though the parking brake was off, so I thought there must be a trouble code. I had my code reader with me. I read the code reported from the vehicle. Which was C1179, a malfunction with the delta sensor. I looked over the vehicle and brake fluid looked good. Brakes were not hot, no signs of any brake problems. I did not clear any codes or reset anything but the car drove normally the rest of the way home. No problems the next day either. This issue must be intermittent but it is scary. If these brakes had failed at a higher speed or on a mountain pass it could have been much worse!

Related recalls

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinderReported September 18, 2013 · 3,247 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 13V451000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkagesReported March 2, 2010 · 179,383 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 10V072000 · Recall details

Questions about the Nissan Armada abs

Why does the abs come on in the Nissan Armada?

Owners who report it most often also describe grinding or squealing brakes, brake failure and soft or spongy brake pedal, and the codes they mention most are C1179, U1001 and U1000.

Which Nissan Armada years have aBS light or ABS activating problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2004 (54 complaints), 2005 (40 complaints) and 2006 (40 complaints).

How much does it cost to fix ABS light or ABS activating on the Nissan Armada?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,000 (median of 23 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

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