NissanMurano2009Overview/nissan/murano/2009/base/

2009 Nissan Murano

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

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (variable gear ratios)

As an SUV equipped with an automatic transmission utilizing variable gear ratios, the 2009 Nissan Murano returns an EPA-estimated 18 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway for a 20 mpg combined average, with its powertrain requiring 5.2 quarts of 5W-30 API oil for routine servicing. Within the model's broader 2003–2026 complaint history, this year avoids the problematic peak of 986 complaints seen in 2005 but still logged a significant 635 owner complaints alongside four recalls, with service brakes identified as the top trouble area. For researchers, this means the 2009 Murano skirts the absolute worst reliability pitfalls of its generation but demands particular scrutiny regarding its braking components.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182009

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.2 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque80 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy18/23/20 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 585 CCA battery, OE oil filter 1520865F0E. 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 35 · 585 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnSTOPOEM · verified
Tire sizeP235-65R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter1520865F0E
Engine air filter16546V0100
Spark plug22401EW61C
Battery24410JA10A
Front wiper blades288901AA0B alt 288901AA1B
Serpentine belt11720JA10B
Thermostat1305031U00 alt 212009HP0A
Cabin air filter27277JA00C

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (variable gear ratios)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length188.6 in
Overall width74 in
Overall height68.1 in
Wheelbase111 in
Curb weight4158 lb
Track (front / rear)63 / 63 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)59/41

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined18 / 23 / 20 mpg
Drivetrain4-Wheel or All-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 Murano of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.9–7.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.90 sec — 2009 SL
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2009SL 3.5L V66.90 sec15.40 sec265 hpAWD
2009SL 3.5L V67.20 sec15.60 sec265 hpAWD
2009SL 3.5L V67.20 sec15.60 sec265 hpFWD
2009SL 3.5L V67.30 sec15.80 sec265 hpAWD
2009SL 3.5L V67.30 sec15.60 sec265 hpAWD
2009SL 3.5L V67.40 sec15.70 sec265 hpAWD
2011CrossCabriolet 3.5L V67.70 sec16.00 sec265 hpAWD
2011CrossCabriolet 3.5L V67.90 sec16.20 sec265 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5.2 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential. Torque lug nuts to 80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. 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

Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.3 Pints
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.2 qt
Power Steering FluidATF
Transfer Case Fluid80W-90 · GL-5
Transfer Case Fluid Capacity0.6 Pints

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts65 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts23 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs5 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts80 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug26.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug26.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub129 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub129 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)600 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Ignition Timing15, Not adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance5 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.32 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity5.07 oz
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance585 cca

Service checks

Injector Primary Resistance11.1-14.5 ohms
Engine Oil Pressure14 psi @ Idle, 43 psi @ 2000 rpm psi
Intake Valve Lash0.012-0.016 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.012-0.017 in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket20 ft-lbs / 32 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle122 ft-lbs / 62 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0003 in / 0.0008 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0016 in / 0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.102 in / 0.63 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.102 in / 0.63 in
Rotor Minimum Machining1.024 in / 0.551 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
11.4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 4.3 ft. lbs., Step 3: 7.01.4 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
114-15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9514–15 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
132 ft. lbs., step 2: 84-9032 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages
172 ft. lbs.72 ft. lbs
2loosen all bolts in reverse order
329 ft. lbs.29 ft. lbs
4103 degrees103 degrees
5103 degrees103 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages
172 ft. lbs.72 ft. lbs
2loosen all bolts in reverse order
329 ft. lbs.29 ft. lbs
490 degrees90 degrees
590 degrees; Check diameter of bolts at two points, 11 mm and 48 mm from the end. Whenever the difference between these two points exceeds the limit of 0.11 mm, replace bolts.90 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
124-28 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9524–28 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 Murano, as the first year of the second generation, shows a sharp spike in complaints (635) and recalls (4) compared to the preceding 2008 model (only 5 complaints, 1 recall) and the following 2010 model (189 complaints, 0 recalls). This year also has the highest complaint count among all second-generation years (2009–2014) and the second-highest overall after 2005. The top complaint area is service brakes (223 reports), and there are 24 crash complaints and 4 fire complaints. The data indicates that the 2009 model year is a particularly problematic outlier within the Murano's history, likely due to early-production issues of the new generation. Therefore, this is not a recommended year to buy used; later model years (2010 onward) show significantly fewer complaints and recalls.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
101
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
635
Owner complaints
24 involved a crash · 4 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 635 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes223
Air Bags57
Power Train50
Electrical System30
Steering24
Unknown Or Other20
Structure19
Engine11

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V916000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/ModuleReported 19/12/2018

Nissan of North America, Inc (Nissan) is recalling certain 2009 Murano vehicles. The valves within the ABS Hydraulic Control Units (HCU) may react with brake fluids containing specific corrosion preventative additives… Remedy: Nissan has notified owners, and dealers will flush the brake system with DOT 4 fluid. The HCU will then be tested to detect a possible stuck valve condition. If necessary, the HCU…

08V066000Air BagsReported 12/02/2008

NISSAN IS RECALLING 16,365 MY 2008 INFINITI EX35 AND MY 2009 NISSAN MURANO VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT SOFTWARE PROGRAMMING, THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT (ACU) MAY CAUSE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG NOT TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED IF… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ACU IN AFFECTED VEHICLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 19, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200 OR NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 101 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…
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…
NTB10-066C2024-05-20Electrical SystemCAN COMMUNICATION CODES – DIAGNOSTIC TIPS AND GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended…

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 Murano. 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 Murano take?

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

Does the 2009 Murano have open recalls?

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

What gas mileage does the Murano get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 23 highway / 20 combined mpg.