The Lemon Index
200820101st generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 9,903 in the U.S. in 2009 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 5 complaints in its first 3 years.
5 owner complaints, first 3 years 14 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2009 Chevrolet Tahoe 502009 Ford Expedition2009 Chevrolet Suburban
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 23V067000 (airbags), 10E019000 (suspension) and 10V074000 (fuel system, other) done? It has 4 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any clunks over bumps or uneven tire wear? Were struts, shocks or control arms replaced?
- Any fuel smell, stalling or hard starts? On a hybrid or EV, any reduced-power warning or battery work?
- Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
- Nissan sent dealers 91 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Front suspension noise”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Nissan's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 5 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
In owners' words
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Nissan Armada. She has to increase her stopping distances to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealership, and the hair line nose was replaced. The current and failure mileages were 1900.
2009 Nissan Armada owner · NHTSA complaint 10295366
Problems Nissan told dealers about
Nissan sent dealers 91 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Front suspension noise
- Door lock/unlock inoperative with intelligent key
- 2004-2014 armada; power back door inoperative and bolt on power back door opener loose if you…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 4
- Airbags · recall issued 2023
The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may develop cracks and detach during air bag deployment.
- Suspension · recall issued 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 A…
- Fuel system, other · recall issued 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2009 TITAN, ARMADA, AND INFINITI QX56 VEHICLES.
Show all 4 recalls
- Brakes · recall issued 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 TITAN, ARMADA, AND INFINITI QX56, AND MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 NISSAN QUEST VEHICLES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side — · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $4,300 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 5.6L 8-cyl.
Every Nissan Armada year. 2009 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2009 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/nissan-armada/?y=2009" title="Nissan Armada reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="353" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/nissan-armada/2009/">Lemon Index</a> (2009 Nissan Armada reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2009 Nissan Armada reliable?
We can't score it: only 9,903 were sold in the U.S. in 2009 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 5 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2009 Nissan Armada problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are suspension (40%), fuel system, gasoline (40%) and body structure (20%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Nissan Armada have?
4 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Nissan Armada get?
14 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2009 Nissan Armada have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2009 Nissan Armada cost in fuel a year?
About $4,300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Nissan Armada have?
5.6L 8-cyl.
What Nissan Armada year is better than the 2009?
No year within 3 model years of it drew fewer complaints. Across every year, 2017 drew the fewest (about half as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works