NissanArmada2021Overview/nissan/armada/2021/base/

2021 Nissan Armada

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Armada.

Transmission Automatic (S7)

The 2021 Nissan Armada pairs an automatic S7 transmission with an engine requiring 6.5 quarts of 5W-30 API oil, returning EPA fuel economy ratings of 14 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined. Its reliability record is notably clean, with just 12 owner complaints and a single recall, the top issue area being the electrical system. This places the 2021 model among the Armada’s most dependable years, a stark improvement from the 462 complaints of the 2004 model and approaching the record low of one complaint for 2016.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192018

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
EPA fuel economy14/19/16 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. 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
Tail / brake / turnLAMPOEM · verified
Tire sizeP275/50R22 111HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim8 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter152089E01A
Engine air filter165461LA0A
Spark plug224011LA1C
Front wiper blades288901LB1B alt 288901LB0E
Serpentine belt117201LA0B
Thermostat110625ZM0A alt 21250EZ31A
Cabin air filter27277VX01A

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S7)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length209.1 in
Overall width79.9 in
Overall height76 in
Wheelbase121.3 in
Curb weight5917 lb
Track (front / rear)67.7 / 68.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)52/48

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined14 / 19 / 16 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium 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.

6.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.50 sec — 2021 Platinum
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2021Platinum 5.6L V86.50 sec14.90 sec400 hpAWD
2022Platinum 5.6L V86.20 sec14.80 sec400 hpAWD
2018Platinum 5.6L V86.20 sec14.80 sec390 hpAWD
2017Platinum 5.6L V85.90 sec14.70 sec390 hpAWD
2017Platinum 5.6L V86.30 sec14.90 sec390 hpAWD
2025Pro-4X 3.5L Twin-Turbo V65.90 sec14.40 sec425 hp4WD
2025Platinum Reserve 3.5L Twin-Turbo V66.00 sec14.50 sec425 hp4WD
2025Platinum Reserve 3.5L Twin-Turbo V66.00 sec14.40 sec425 hp4WD

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. The firing order is 1-8-7-3-6-5-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity6.5 qt

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts65.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts65.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs97.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs8.1 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-8-7-3-6-5-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)Setting Speed: 600 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)Checking Speed: 600 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerNissan
Spark Plug Gap0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque14.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Standard BCI Group Number24F - EX TOW PKG.
Standard BCI Cranking Performance650 - EX TOW PKG. cca
Optional BCI Group Number27F - TOW PKG.
Optional BCI Cranking Performance710 - TOW PKG. cca
Standard BCI Group Number31R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance780 cca

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
117.0 inch lbs., Step 2: 52.0 inch lbs., Step 3: 96.0 inch lbs.17 in
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
11.4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 4.3 ft. lbs., Step 3: 8.01.4 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 9-1117 in
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 9-111.4 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1151.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°151 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
130.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 75°, Step 3: Loosen all bolts in reverse order of tightening. Step 4: 30.0 ft. lbs., Step 5: 90°, Step 6: 90°30 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 1-1029 ft. lbs
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 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant at 105,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 105,000 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 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft (inspect)
Every 20,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed)
Every 22,500 miKeyless Entry Remote Battery (replace)
Every 30,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
At 105,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 180,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

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 2021 Nissan Armada recorded 12 consumer complaints, 1 recall, zero investigations, and 86 technical service bulletins, positioning it within a notably quieter stretch for this generation. Compared to the preceding generation's 2004–2010 period—where complaint volumes ranged from 23 to 462 with multiple investigations—the 2021 model's metrics represent a dramatic improvement. However, the 2021 Armada falls within the generation that began in 2017, which saw elevated complaint volumes of 72–81 units during 2017–2019 (though notably no recalls were issued for those model years). The single recall in 2021 suggests the manufacturer addressed emerging issues, and complaint counts dropped substantially to single digits by 20222024. The top complaint categories—electrical, engine/fuel, powertrain, and forward collision avoidance—are spread across systems without a dominant failure mode, and the one crash-related complaint with zero fire incidents indicates no acute safety pattern. The 2021 Armada represents a relatively stable model year within this generation, with issues largely identified and addressed through TSBs and the one recall, making it a defensible purchase among used examples, though prospective buyers should verify the recall completion and scrutinize the specific complaint categories relevant to their intended use.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
86
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
12
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 12 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System2
Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System2
Power Train2
Forward Collision Avoidance1
Unknown Or Other,Fuel/Propulsion System1
Electrical System,Back Over Prevention,Forward Collision Avoidance1
Unknown Or Other1
Engine1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V373000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump:Control/Drive ModuleReported 20/05/2021

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Nissan Armada and 2020-2021 INFINITI QX80 vehicles equipped with V8 engines. The impeller can swell and bind within the fuel pump module, causing it to… Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 4, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 86 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…
NTB19-042F2025-02-20Electrical SystemAUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING WARNING LIGHT BLINKING APPLIED SYSTEMS: Vehicles equipped…
NTB19-033G2025-02-20Forward Collision AvoidanceINTELLIGENT CRUISE CONTROL INOPERATIVE AND AEB/FEB WARNING LIGHT ON OR RADAR OBSTRUCTION…
NTB19-071D2024-09-19Air BagsDTC B00A0-00 STORED This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last…

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 2021 Armada take?

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

Does the 2021 Armada have open recalls?

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

What gas mileage does the Armada get?

EPA figures are 14 city / 19 highway / 16 combined mpg.