InfinitiQX562009Overview/infiniti/qx56/2009/base/

2009 Infiniti QX56

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2009 QX56.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic 5-spd

The 2009 Infiniti QX56 is an SUV paired with a five-speed automatic transmission, a 6.9-quart oil capacity filled with 5W-30 API SL, and EPA fuel economy of 12 city, 18 highway, and 14 combined mpg. Across the QX56's model history spanning 2004 to 2013, the 2009 year stands as the most complaint-free, drawing just seven owner issues against 106 logged in 2004, the high-water mark for the nameplate. With three recalls issued and the fuel system emerging as the top complaint area, the 2009 model year nevertheless marks the lowest point in the QX56's reliability concerns, making it a natural baseline for anyone studying the vehicle's ownership trajectory.

Model year20132010200920082007200620052004

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity6.9 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 API SLOEM · verified
Lug nut torque98 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 27F · 710 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 Note the factory front wiper blades is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 27F · 710 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP275-60R20OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter152089E01A
Engine air filter165467S000
Spark plug22401ZE01B
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 length207.5 in
Overall width78.7 in
Overall height78.7 in
Wheelbase123.6 in
Curb weight5913 lb
Track (front / rear)66.9 / 66.9 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)52/48

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined12 / 18 / 14 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 QX56 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.8–7.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.80 sec — 2004 SUV
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2006SUV 5.6L V87.10 sec15.60 sec315 hp4x4
2004SUV 5.6L V86.80 sec15.20 sec315 hp4x4
2004SUV 5.6L V87.40 sec15.90 sec315 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 6.9 qt of 5W-30 API SL engine oil, SYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 98 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 28.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-7-3-6-5-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
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 Capacity6.9 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts62-68 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts6 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts25 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug28.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs7 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts98 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub101 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub170 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-8-7-3-6-5-4-2
Ignition Timing15, Not adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance5 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity2.27-2.49 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity9.80 oz
Standard BCI Group Number27F
Standard BCI Cranking Performance710 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test10 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)51.0 psi
Engine Oil Pressure14 psi @ Idle, 43 psi @ 2000 rpm psi
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket53 ft-lbs / 24 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle155 ft-lbs
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 1-91.4 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
111 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9011 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
169 ft. lbs., step 2: 9069 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 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 (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill)
Every 7,500 miBattery (inspect electrolyte level) · 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 Pedal Assembly (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)
At 105,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Spark 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 Infiniti QX56 registers a striking drop in federal complaints, falling to just 7 after a peak of 106 in 2004 and a gradual decline through 2008 (52 complaints). Recall activity also tapers, with three recalls in 2009 versus four in the surrounding 2005‑2008 window and only two in the earlier 2004 and 2007 years. Technical Service Bulletins remain steady around the 100‑110 mark, while investigations stay at zero throughout the generation, indicating no formal NHTSA probes. The limited complaint categories for 2009—single instances in fuel, steering/suspension, electrical lighting/ESC, and service brakes—suggest isolated issues rather than systemic defects. **Takeaway:** 2009 shows the lowest complaint count and modest recall volume in the model’s run, making it a comparatively strong year to consider for purchase.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
100
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
7
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 7 complaints on record, top 7 components.

Fuel System, Other1
Steering,Suspension1
Electrical System,Exterior Lighting,Electronic Stability Control (Esc)1
Suspension,Service Brakes1
Structure1
Suspension,Electrical System,Air Bags1
Fuel/Propulsion System1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 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 100 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
ITB09-063C2026-04-13StructureCERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
ITB10-029C2024-05-20Electrical SystemCAN COMMUNICATION CODES – DIAGNOSTIC TIPS AND GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended…
ITB13-052E2024-05-20Electrical SystemINTELLIGENT KEY NOT DETECTED / ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See…
ITB13-006D2024-05-20Electrical SystemCAN COMMUNICATION – NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See…
ITB17-009H2024-04-29Visibility/WiperWINDOW GLASS WARRANTY INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY…

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 QX56. 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 QX56 take?

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

Does the 2009 QX56 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the QX56 get?

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