NissanArmada2009Overview/nissan/armada/2009/base/

2009 Nissan Armada

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

Body SUVTransmission Automatic 5-spd

The 2009 Nissan Armada is an SUV featuring a 5-speed automatic transmission and an engine that requires 6.5 quarts of 5W-30 API oil. The vehicle is rated for an EPA fuel economy of 12/18/14 mpg. Within the model's 2004-2026 history, the 2009 year is marked by four recalls and 23 total owner complaints—primarily concerning the structure—placing it well below the peak of 462 complaints seen in 2004 but above the low of one complaint recorded in 2016.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192009

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity6.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque87-108 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy12/18/14 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24F - EX TOW PKG. · 650 - EX TOW PKG. CCA battery, OE oil filter 152089E01A. Note the factory front wiper blades is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. 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 24F - EX TOW PKG. · 650 - EX TOW PKG. CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP265-70R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter152089E01A
Engine air filter165467S000
Spark plug22401ZJ51B alt 22401ZE01B
Front wiper blades28890ZC30A discontinued · alt 28890ZC31A
Serpentine belt117207S00A
Thermostat212001LA1A
Cabin air filter27277VP00A

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 5-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length206.7 in
Overall width78.7 in
Overall height78.7 in
Wheelbase123.2 in
Curb weight5847 lb
Track (front / rear)67.7 / 68.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)50/50

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined12 / 18 / 14 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Armada of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.8–7.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.80 sec — 2008 LE
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2008LE 5.6L V86.80 sec15.30 sec317 hp4x4
2004LE 5.6L V87.00 sec15.50 sec305 hpRWD
2004SE 5.6L V87.00 sec15.50 sec305 hp4x4
2004SE 5.6L V87.00 sec15.15 sec305 hp4x4
2004SE 5.6L V87.00 sec15.50 sec305 hp4x4
2004SE 5.6L V87.10 sec15.34 sec305 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 6.5 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, SYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 87-108 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 22.0-26.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-7-3-6-5-4-2. 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 FluidNissan Matic-S
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity11.2
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilSYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.8 Pints
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity6.5 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts65 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts6 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts25 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug22.0-26.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs8 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts87-108 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub101 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub170 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-8-7-3-6-5-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK
Spark Plug TypePLFR5A-11
Spark Plug Gap0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque18 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing15, Not adjustable degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity2.27-2.49 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity9.80 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24F - EX TOW PKG.
Standard BCI Cranking Performance650 - EX TOW PKG. cca
Optional BCI Group Number27F - TOW PKG.

Service checks

Pressure Test20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)51.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)51.0 psi
Engine Compression192-220 PSI. 14 maximum variation PSI.
Engine Oil Pressure43 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM3000 rpm

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket24 ft-lbs / 53 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle110 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.001 in / 0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.181 in / 0.551 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.181 in / 0.551 in
Rotor Minimum Machining1.102 in / 0.492 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 9-121.4 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: Back off 360 degrees, Step 3: 11 ft. lbs., Step 4: 9022 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
169 ft. lbs., step 2: 9069 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages
172 ft. lbs.72 ft. lbs
2loosen all bolts
333 ft. lbs.33 ft. lbs
470 degrees; Check diameter of bolts at two point, 12 mm and 55 mm from the end. Whenever the difference between these two point exceed the limit of 0.23 mm, replace bolts.; Apply new engine oil to threads and seating surface of mounting bolts.70 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 1-1029 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 3,750 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant every 3,750 mi. The big-interval services (every 3,750 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 3,750 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 7,500 miBattery (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Steering Gear Box Assembly (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect)
Every 30,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Drive Belt (replace) · Emission Control System (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miRadiator Hose (replace)
At 105,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)

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 Nissan Armada represents a dramatic inflection point in the model's early reliability trajectory. Complaints dropped from 161 in 2008 to just 23 in 2009—the second-lowest count in the entire dataset—while recalls remained moderate at 4 (down from 7 the prior year). This follows a consistent downward trend from the 2004 launch year (462 complaints) through 2007, with the 2008 spike potentially indicating a wave of early consumer frustrations that Nissan addressed for the 2009 model. The 2009 model also saw zero NHTSA investigations, matching the pattern established from 2007 onward. The top complaint category was Structure (7 instances), with far fewer Engine and other system issues reported. This data suggests the 2009 Armada benefited from significant quality refinements, making it the strongest early-generation year to consider for a used purchase within this generation.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
91
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
23
Owner complaints
3 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 23 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Structure7
Engine2
Suspension,Structure,Wheels1
Electrical System,Air Bags,Seats1
Seats1
Air Bags,Structure,Unknown Or Other1
Unknown Or Other1
Power Train,Electrical System1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

10E019000Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower ArmReported 20/05/2010

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT AND REAR LOWER LINKS, P/NOS. 54501ZQ00A, 54500ZQ00A, 551A1ZQ00A, 551A0ZQ00A , 54501EA00A, 54500EA00A, 551A1EA500, 551A0EA500, 54501ZR00A, AND 54500ZR00A, SOLD BETWEEN NOVEMBER 25, 2009… Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY AFFECTED LOWER LINK FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

10V072000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals And LinkagesReported 02/03/2010

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 91 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
NTB09-131C2026-04-13StructureCERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB09-131C2026-04-13StructureCERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB23-080D2024-09-04Air BagsVOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN 2004-2012 ARMADA, TITAN, AND 2004-2009 QUEST; DRIVER AIR…
NTB13-107G2024-05-20Electrical SystemVEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been…
NTB13-027D2024-05-20Electrical SystemCAN COMMUNICATION – NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See…

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 Armada. 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.

Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2009 Armada take?

6.5 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2009 Armada have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Armada get?

EPA figures are 12 city / 18 highway / 14 combined mpg.