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adjmcloon said:
Ok, I'll start. This thread will serve as a reference for all of us (particularly with the 2004 model) to solve the rattles and squeaks in our Armadas.

Here are mine (so far) and how I've solved them.

1. Rear Glass squeaking - A common complaint from what I've read. I simply took the soft side of velcro stripping, cut 1" sections, and put them strategically around the inside rear and side rear glass panes. I noticed some rub marks on the glass and that's where I started. Solved.

2. Rear gate or "D" pillar creaking noise, particularly when turning onto or off of an incline - Plastic has to be removed at the rear, and dynamat placed at the seams where sheet metal meets. Also where the rear seat belt spools meet the roof mounts, underneath. For me, it's 50% better.

3. Seat squeaks- mine started on the passenger side. Chased it down by using one hand to move the seat around while listening. Ended up pulling the plastic trim where the seat bottom meets the seat back, greasing it up, and putting it all back together. Solved. Driver's seat now doing it- will update the thread.

4. Window rattle at doors - sometimes this is confused as a door rattle- I have in channel vent visors, and apprarently they compressed the rubber weatherstripping enough to allow the window to rattle at the top inside of the door. Pulled the weatherstripping, dynamatted the inside of the window channel, put it all back. Fixed it for a while, but now it's back, so ?? More dynamat I guess.

5. Door rattles - Others have posted about a small gap between the door panel and the door itself. A small strip of dynamat or velcro will solve this.
4a. Mine was coming from the driver door and was fixed by adding insulation padding between the door and panel.

6. Roof "Booming" noise, particularly on bad roads - there is a service bulletin for this- see your dealer.

7. Ticking noise that increases under load - this is a grounding problem between the engine and body. Run a 0 or 2 guage from the grounding block (just below the battery) to the engine block. There is currently a wire there that you can trace. I don't have this issue, but this method has solved the problem for those that do. Seems to be more prevalent in the Titans. I think this might get rid of my alternator whine- for you aftermarket stereo people I'll let you know.

8. Dash rattle - there are two of these it seems. One stems from the metal panel right at the windsheild. I covered mine completely in dynamat and it went away. The other is from the dash itself and seems to get worse with heat. If you've solved this, let me know please! I only have this issue once in a while.
8a. Mine is an intermittent slight rattle caused by engine vibration between 500 and 600 rpm and mid-70F, or when cruising around 40 mph on slightly rough road. Cover on top of instrument panel and clips were already replaced but did not go away. This will be reworked at dealer soon.

9. Glove box rattle - some folks have had to tighten up their boxes, but usually this comes from stuff in the box. Silly, I know, but nonetheless...

So there's our start. When adding yours, you may number them to make it easier for others to indicate what they're helping with. Titantalk.com is a good source of info as well on other issues, but there's not a lot of Armada info over there and this site needs more traffic. Spread the word! Thanks to M4ck for the forums.
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10. Intermitent rattle from the sunroof area. This rattle resulted from adjustment of the sunroof due to wind noise. Dealer adjusted three different visits until it was fixed. Prior unsuccessful job included replacement of front center console.

11. Severe rattling noise from the steering wheel. This noise should up about the same time as when steering wheel vibrates when braking. A service bulletin took care of the vibration while braking and dealer was confident it would tkae care of the rattling noise, but it didn't. Both front brake rotors were resurface and new pads were installed. After 3 visits to the dealer, the rattling noise was caused by a slight play on the steering column joint which was replaced. Prior unsuccessful jobs involved replacement of steering clock spring assy and spline.
 

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andy said:
I've heard of dynamat but what exactly is it. Is it self adhesive with some kind of rubber or sound deadening stuff?
I'm in week three of a 4 year lease and the dealer claims there is no fix for all the rattles and sqeaks.
Looks like I'm on my own. I am pissed off that a $42k vehicle is getting all these rattles after 300 miles on it.
If it wasn't for the engine, the way it looks, and that I love everything else on this Armada, I'd get rid rid of it.

Do you have to pop off the door panels to get dynamat under there? Any hidden screws or hints?

Thanks, andy
When dealer claims there is no fix for all the rattles and squeaks, they are in for trouble. Call Nissan Motors Consumer Affairs and report your gripe. The tel# should be in your manual. Majority of my problems were in squeaks and rattles, too. Document all your problems because somehow you will need it when you file a claim against them.
 

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Lemon Claim

I just want to share my disappointing experience with my 04 Armada. I have owned 3 Nissans, 2 Hondas, a Toyota and a Plymouth. This is my worst ownership experience and it is in the process of a lemon law claim for exceeding 30 days in shop for repairs.

Below is a list of all the problems I had, or still have. If you find that a problem has been fixed, you may call the dealership (Hills Nissan in Winter Haven Florida) directly for details of the solution, or send an email to me.

1. Wind noise coming from sunroof. FIXED by adjustment of tilt at close position.

2. Left rear quarter panel had paint fading or mismatch. Later found more dull (fade) spots. Spots are apparent when sun is approximately 45 degree off perpindicular. Color of vehicle is Lightning Silver. FIXED. Repainted affected areas.

3. Rattling noise from driver side front/rear door. FIXED after 3rd attempt - Applied insulation damper between door and door panel on driver's door.

4. Driver side door weather seal strip is distorted/warped. FIXED - Replaced weather striping. The weather strip was not in stock and it took 2 months to fix this problem.

5. Rattling noise from sunroof area. FIXED after 5th attempt - Adjustment.

6. Sometimes steering wheel vibrates when braking. FIXED - This is a service bulletin requiring resurfacing of both front rotors and replacement of brake pads.

7. Rattling noise from steering wheel when hitting bumps or rough road. FIXED after 3rd attempt - Final repair was replacement of steering column U-joint.

8. Rattles from instrument panel caused by vibration even from idling engine. After 3rd attempt, problem still persists.

9. VDC / SLIP lights are on. FIXED. Nissan Motors was involved in diagnosing this problem. Steering angle sensor and brake module were replaced. Brake module sensor was not readily in stock. Had to borrow one off the new Armada in the lot for testing. It took like 2 to 3 days to rush delivery a new module to dealer. 18 days in shop along with other rattling issues.

10. Rear hatch window seal water leaks. FIXED - Tightened window brackets and replaced weather strip.

11. Cold air blows even when AC switch is turned off. FIXED - Problem can not be simulated.

12. The rear roof rack brace is coming apart. FIXED - Replace front brace.

13. The 2nd row seat on driver's side will not flip over (to access 3rd row seat). As of this writing, this is scheduled for repair next week.

Altogether my Armada has been in the dealer's shop for 37 days. Quite disappointing for supposedly higher quality and dependable Nissans out there.
 

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llajumpvid said:
bmoreno, I feel your pain. I've had mine for 6 months, the dealer has had it for probably a total of 1 month and the only thing theyv'e done (half a$$ed) was the resonance fix, which they didn't glue the front bow behind the sunroof and I can see it is seperated? They replaced the rear overhead console, the rear controls are now falling out and there is grease smeared on the headliner. The sunroof rattle has be in for a fix 6 times and nothing is ever done. $43k never again for me. If they get rid of the problem rattle I'd be happy.
Folks, it's interesting to know that some, if not most, of the issues I have with my Armada are common. With Nissan monitoring this site, how can they not fix these problems efficiently? I guess squeaks and rattles, leaks from seals, and other minor interior and fit problems, etc., are not justified for service bulletins. That makes me believe the quality standard and customer satisfaction is not quite important anymore.

BTW I have an SE OFFROAD, Silver Lightning, 2nd row bench, leather, tow package, journey package w/o DVD & Navi. Got it for $38K in 02/2004.
 

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bmoreno said:
I just want to share my disappointing experience with my 04 Armada. I have owned 3 Nissans, 2 Hondas, a Toyota and a Plymouth. This is my worst ownership experience and it is in the process of a lemon law claim for exceeding 30 days in shop for repairs.

Below is a list of all the problems I had, or still have. If you find that a problem has been fixed, you may call the dealership (Hills Nissan in Winter Haven Florida) directly for details of the solution, or send an email to me.

1. Wind noise coming from sunroof. FIXED by adjustment of tilt at close position.

2. Left rear quarter panel had paint fading or mismatch. Later found more dull (fade) spots. Spots are apparent when sun is approximately 45 degree off perpindicular. Color of vehicle is Lightning Silver. FIXED. Repainted affected areas.

3. Rattling noise from driver side front/rear door. FIXED after 3rd attempt - Applied insulation damper between door and door panel on driver's door.

4. Driver side door weather seal strip is distorted/warped. FIXED - Replaced weather striping. The weather strip was not in stock and it took 2 months to fix this problem.

5. Rattling noise from sunroof area. FIXED after 5th attempt - Adjustment.

6. Sometimes steering wheel vibrates when braking. FIXED - This is a service bulletin requiring resurfacing of both front rotors and replacement of brake pads.

7. Rattling noise from steering wheel when hitting bumps or rough road. FIXED after 3rd attempt - Final repair was replacement of steering column U-joint.

8. Rattles from instrument panel caused by vibration even from idling engine. After 3rd attempt, problem still persists.

9. VDC / SLIP lights are on. FIXED. Nissan Motors was involved in diagnosing this problem. Steering angle sensor and brake module were replaced. Brake module sensor was not readily in stock. Had to borrow one off the new Armada in the lot for testing. It took like 2 to 3 days to rush delivery a new module to dealer. 18 days in shop along with other rattling issues.

10. Rear hatch window seal water leaks. FIXED - Tightened window brackets and replaced weather strip.

11. Cold air blows even when AC switch is turned off. FIXED - Problem can not be simulated.

12. The rear roof rack brace is coming apart. FIXED - Replace front brace.

13. The 2nd row seat on driver's side will not flip over (to access 3rd row seat). As of this writing, this is scheduled for repair next week.

Altogether my Armada has been in the dealer's shop for 37 days. Quite disappointing for supposedly higher quality and dependable Nissans out there.
As of 12/06/04, my Armada has been in the shop for 51 cummulative days. I added more problems when I turned it in 2 weeks ago:
14. Booming noise from roof on rough roads.
15. Pinging noise from engine while idling.
16. Dealer related problems - Finger marks in interiors and ding on driver side door.

Finally, Nissan offered to repurchase my 04 Armada during my BBB arbitration hearing. I'm glad my disappointing experience is over.
 
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