2009 Nissan Armada Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2009 Nissan Armada has a complaint index of 70, ranking 7th worst among 21 model years, and carries a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 23 complaints and 3 recalls, with Structure & Body issues making up 48% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 70/100
- #7 of 21 Armada years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 23
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 8
- Top issue
- Structure & Body
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 14
- 12 city / 18 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 8 / 0
Top 2009 Nissan Armada problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Structure & Body11 (48%)
- Engine4 (17%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (17%)
- Brakes3 (13%)
- Electrical System3 (13%)
- Fuel System3 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (13%)
- Airbags2 (9%)
- Other2 (9%)
- Steering1 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the hood bouncing up and down at speed after bolts worked loose or popped out.
- Some describe the overhead console or control housing detaching from the ceiling while driving over bumps.
- Brake pedal problems led to increased stopping distance, with one report describing a crash after brakes felt unresponsive.
- Fuel gauge readings were reported as inaccurate, showing fuel remaining when the tank was empty.
- One owner reported an airbag deployment after a crash that caused a steering wheel emblem retaining ring to come loose.
- A coolant leak was reported alongside an engine that sounded like it was racing while moving slowly.
2009 Nissan Armada recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V067000Feb 10, 2023Airbags404,690 vehicles
Air bags:frontal
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2008-2011 Titan, Frontier, Xterra, Pathfinder, Armada, and 2008-2009 Quest vehicles. The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may develop cracks and detach during air bag deployment.
Risk: A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driverÂs airbag cover. Owner letters were mailed December 8, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall are PC944, PC945, and PC946.
- NHTSA 10V074000Mar 3, 2010Fuel System340,000 vehicles
Fuel system, other:storage:fuel gauge system
Nissan is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 titan, armada, and infiniti qx56 vehicles. The instrument panel fuel gauge may inaccurately display that the vehicle still has some fuel, typically about one quarter tank, when the fuel tank is empty.
Risk: This could cause the vehicle to run out of gas and stall on the highway, which could cause a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel sender unit inside the fuel tank with a new improved sender card. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on march 22, 2010. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
- NHTSA 10V072000Mar 2, 2010Brakes179,383 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages
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.
2009 Nissan Armada fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 12 MPG
- Highway
- 18 MPG
- Combined
- 14 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,650
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2009 compared with other Armada years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Nissan Armada reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2009 Armada has a complaint index of 70 and ranks 7th worst out of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict relative to other Armada years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2009 Nissan Armada?
- Structure & Body issues account for 48% of complaints, including hood and interior trim components, followed by Engine and Suspension issues at 17% each, according to NHTSA data.
- Does the 2009 Nissan Armada have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2009 Armada covering airbags, a fuel gauge sender that may misread fuel level, and a brake pedal pivot pin that was not formed to specification.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2009 Nissan Armada?
- EPA rates the 2009 Armada at 14 mpg combined (12 city / 18 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,650.
- How does the 2009 Armada compare to other years?
- Its complaint index of 70 is better than the 2005 and 2006 Armada (100 and 95, both rated Avoid) but worse than later years like 2012 and 2014, which are rated Best.