Dodge›Nitro›2009›3.7L/dodge/nitro/2009/3-7l/

KA platform

2009 Dodge Nitro — 3.7L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2009 Nitro 3.7L.

Body SUVEngine 3.7LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2009 Dodge Nitro is a midsize SUV built on the KA platform and powered by a 3.7‑liter engine that runs on 5 qt of 5W‑20 API oil with an automatic four‑speed transmission, delivering EPA ratings of 16 mpg city, 22 mpg highway, and 18 mpg combined. Its 5‑quart oil capacity and modest fuel economy are notable practical details for service and fleet calculations. Within the model’s broader 2005‑2012 complaint record, the 2009 year falls after the 2007 peak of 825 owner complaints and before the low‑complaint 2005 baseline, indicating a relatively moderate reliability standing marked by 36 total owner complaints, chiefly in the electrical system, and a single recall. This positioning suggests that while the 2009 Nitro is not the most problematic year, researchers should be attentive to its electrical‑system issues when assessing long‑term durability.

Model year2011 2010 2009 2008 2007

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque95 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy16/22/18 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 34 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 04892339BH. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 34 · 600 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP225-75R16OEM · verified

Wheel / rim7 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	04892339BH alt 05184231AB
Engine air filter	68037059AA
Spark plug	SPZFR6F11G alt SZFR5LP13G
Battery	BB34F101AA
Front wiper blades	68003937AB
Thermostat	68174083AA alt 68273161AA
Cabin air filter	68535612AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	178.7 in
Overall width	73.2 in
Overall height	69.7 in
Wheelbase	108.7 in
Curb weight	3971 lb
Track (front / rear)	61.4 / 61 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	52/48

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	16 / 22 / 18 mpg
Drivetrain	Rear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5 qt w/ filter of 5W-20 API engine oil, Front: 80W-; Rear: 198RB in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 95 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	5
Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil	Front: 80W-; Rear: 198RB
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	3.8 Pints
Engine Coolant	HOAT · MS9769
Engine Oil	5W-20 · API · MS-6395
Engine Oil Capacity	5 qt w/ filter

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	8.3 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	130 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	70 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	8.8 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	18 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	21 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	17 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	25.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	95 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	Steel case: 35.0, Aluminum case: 18.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	Steel case: 35.0, Aluminum case: 18.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	100 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-3-4-5-6
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance	.495-.605 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance	5,130-6,270 ohms
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Champion
Spark Plug Gap	0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque	20.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.12 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	5.00 oz
Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.12 lbs
Oil Group	PAG

Service checks

Pressure Test	16 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	176 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	53.0-63.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance	12+-0.6 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Oil Pressure	25-110 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM	3000 rpm
Intake Valve Lash	Hydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	28 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	100 ft-lbs / 75 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.040; Rear: 0.040 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0004 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.001 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	1.102 in / 0.472 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	1.102 in / 0.472 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	1.039 in / 0.409 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

20 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

20 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

1	Tighten bolts 1-8, 27 Nm (20 ft. lbs.).	20 ft. lbs
2	Verify that bolts 1-8, all reached 27 Nm (20 ft. lbs.), by repeating step-1 without loosening the bolts. Tighten bolts 9 through 12 to 14 Nm (10 ft. lbs.).	20 ft. lbs
3	Tighten bolts 1-8, 90 degrees.	90 degrees
4	Tighten bolts 1-8, 90 degrees, again. Tighten bolts 9-12, 26 Nm (19 ft. lbs.)	90 degrees

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Install the bedplate retaining bolts, making sure to place the stud bolts in the correct location, Torque the bolts in the sequence shown.

1	Hand tighten bolts 1D, 1G and 1F until the bedplate contacts the block.
2	Tighten bolts 1A - 1J to 40 ft. lbs.	40 ft. lbs
3	Tighten bolts 1 - 8 to 5 ft. lbs.	5 ft. lbs
4	Turn bolts 1 - 8 an additional 90 degrees.	90 degrees
5	Tighten bolts A - E 20 to 20 ft. lbs.	20 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi.

Every 6,000 mi	Brake Line (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
At 12,000 mi	CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 12,000 mi	Brake Linings (inspect)
Every 18,000 mi	Differential (inspect fluid level)
Every 24,000 mi	CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect) · Tie Rod (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Parking Brake System (adjust) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 48,000 mi	CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Spark Plug Wires (replace)
Every 90,000 mi	PCV Valve (inspect)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified

Tool required	DRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
Why	Transmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module

Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified

When needed	After Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool required	DRBIII scan tool
Also required	The vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2009 Dodge Nitro sits at a notable inflection point in the generation's federal record. Complaints peaked catastrophically in 2007 at 825 with 8 recalls and 3 investigations, then dropped sharply to 393 in 2008 before falling further to just 36 in 2009, while recalls declined from 8 to 1 over the same span. This suggests the manufacturer addressed major defects through engineering changes and corrective campaigns during the 2007-2008 period. However, the 2009 data shows a slight uptick thereafter—2010 saw 78 complaints with 3 recalls and 3 investigations, indicating some unresolved or new issues persisted into later model years. The 2009 Nitro's top complaint areas centered on the Electrical System (6), followed by Fuel System and Air Bags (3 each), with one fire-related complaint on record and zero crash-related complaints. With 51 TSBs still on file, the vehicle retained a complex service history. The 2009 model year represents a relatively safer purchase within this generation, as it followed the worst of the quality crisis, but buyers should budget for electrical diagnostics and verify all recall work was completed, given the system's lingering issues.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

0 involved a crash · 1 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’05 ’07 ’08’09’10 ’11 ’12

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 36 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System6

Fuel System, Gasoline3

Air Bags3

Electrical System,Latches/Locks/Linkages3

Fuel/Propulsion System2

Steering,Air Bags1

Power Train1

Suspension1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V396000Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator ModuleReported 07/07/2020

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2008-2010 Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan and 2007-2011 Dodge Nitro vehicles. These vehicles may have a loose or missing brand emblem in the center of the… Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag cover with a redesigned cover, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2021. Owners may contact…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 51 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
107418	2025-09-18	Service Brakes	SWITCH - CLUTCH STARTER INTERLOCK & MASTER CYLINDER ASSEMBLY - CLUTCH
9100226	2023-09-15	Electrical System	Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar…
9100226	2023-09-15	Electrical System	Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar…
Y22 Combo Rev1	2021-11-23	Air Bags	Customer Satisfaction Notification Y22 Driver Airbag Emblem
Y22 Combo	2021-11-18	Air Bags	Customer Satisfaction Notification Y22 Driver Airbag Emblem

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Nitro. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 34 battery Vehicles taking 5 qt w/ filter KA-platform vehicles Engine oil filter 04892339BH Engine air filter 68037059AA Spark plug SPZFR6F11G Battery BB34F101AA

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2009 Nitro 3.7L take?

5 qt w/ filter of 5W-20 API MEETING CHRYSLER SPECIFICATION MS-6395, per the factory manual.

Does the 2009 Nitro have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 3.7L get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined mpg.