NissanArmada2012Overview/nissan/armada/2012/base/

2012 Nissan Armada

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 Armada.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic 5-spd

The 2012 Nissan Armada is an SUV featuring a 5-speed automatic transmission and an EPA-rated 13/19/15 mpg. This model requires 6.5 quarts of 5W-30 API engine oil for its powertrain. With only 17 total owner complaints and one recall, the 2012 model year sits well below the 462 complaints recorded in 2004, which represents the peak of the model's 2004-2026 complaint history.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192012

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
Lug nut torque87-108 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy13/19/15 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 / turnTAILOEM · verified
Tire sizeP275-60R20OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter152089E01A
Engine air filter165467S000
Spark plug22401ZJ51B alt 22401ZE01B
Battery24410ZZ50B alt 244109CA0B
Front wiper blades288909CA0A 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 length206.7 in
Overall width78.7 in
Overall height78.7 in
Wheelbase123.2 in
Curb weight5847 lb
Track (front / rear)67.7 / 68.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)50/50

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined13 / 19 / 15 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular 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.

6.8–7.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.80 sec — 2008 LE
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2008LE 5.6L V86.80 sec15.30 sec317 hp4x4
2004LE 5.6L V87.00 sec15.50 sec305 hpRWD
2004SE 5.6L V87.00 sec15.50 sec305 hp4x4
2004SE 5.6L V87.00 sec15.15 sec305 hp4x4
2004SE 5.6L V87.00 sec15.50 sec305 hp4x4
2004SE 5.6L V87.10 sec15.34 sec305 hp4x4

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, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 87-108 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 22.0-26.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-7-3-6-5-4-2. 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

Automatic Transmission FluidNissan Matic-S
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity11.2
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.4 Pints
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity6.5 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts65 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts6 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts25 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug22.0-26.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs8 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts87-108 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub101 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub135 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-8-7-3-6-5-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)CVT: 650, MT: 600 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary ResistanceExcept 0 or Between terminals 1 and 2 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary ResistanceExcept 0 Between terminals 1 and 3
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK
Spark Plug TypePLFR5A-11
Spark Plug Gap0.043 in

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity2.27-2.49 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity9.80 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24F - EX TOW PKG.
Standard BCI Cranking Performance650 - EX TOW PKG. cca
Optional BCI Group Number27F - TOW PKG.

Service checks

Radiator Cap Pressure ReliefRadiator leak pressure testing, 5 psi.
Pressure Test20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Engine Compression192-220 PSI. 14 maximum variation PSI.
Engine Oil Pressure43 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM3000 rpm
Intake Valve Lash0.012-0.016 in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket53 ft-lbs / 24 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle155 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in / 0.001 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.551 in / 1.181 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.551 in / 1.181 in
Rotor Minimum Machining0.472 in / 1.122 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 9-121.4 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: Back off 360 degrees, Step 3: 11 ft. lbs., Step 4: 9022 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
169 ft. lbs., step 2: 9069 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 6 stages
133 ft. lbs.33 ft. lbs
270 degrees70 degrees
3loosen all bolts in reverse order
433 ft. lbs.33 ft. lbs
560 degrees60 degrees
660 degrees; Check diameter of bolts at two points, 12 mm and 55 mm from the end. Whenever the difference between these two points exceeds the limit of 0.23 mm, replace bolts. Apply new engine oil to threads and seating surface of mounting bolts.60 degrees
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 at 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 30,000 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 3,750 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 7,500 miTire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Differential (inspect fluid level)
At 30,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 30,000 miBody Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Drive Belt (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (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 2012 Nissan Armada sits near the low point of the complaint curve for this generation, with only 17 complaints filed—the same as 2013 and notably lower than the 40 in 2011 and the 48 in 2010. This represents a dramatic decline from the peak of 462 complaints in 2004 and the 2008 spike of 161 complaints, which coincided with the highest recall count (7) in the model's history. The single recall in 2012 is also among the lowest of any year in the data, suggesting the vehicle had reached a period of relative maturity and部件 stability by this point. While the complaint categories are diffuse—air bags, structure, service brakes, and unspecified issues each recorded just 2 complaints—the single fire complaint and zero crash complaints are reassuring data points. The 2012 model therefore represents a relatively trouble-free year within the Armada's lifecycle, though buyers should still verify any open recall repairs were completed, as one recall was issued.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
104
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
17
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 17 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Unknown Or Other2
Air Bags2
Structure2
Service Brakes2
Electrical System2
Suspension,Fuel System, Gasoline,Structure1
Fuel System, Gasoline1
Electronic Stability Control (Esc),Service Brakes1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

12V143000Equipment:Other:LabelsReported 04/04/2012

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 TITAN AND ARMADA VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 12, 2011, THROUGH MARCH 13, 2012. THE PART 567 CERTIFICATION LABELS ON THE VEHICLES DO NOT CONTAIN RIM SIZE INFORMATION… Remedy: NISSAN WILL SUPPLY OWNERS WITH A NEW LABEL AND INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW INSTALL THE LABEL OR THE OWNER WILL HAVE THE OPTION OF TAKING THEIR VEHICLE TO A NISSAN DEALER TO HAVE THE NEW…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 104 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…
NTB23-080D2024-09-04Air BagsVOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN 2004-2012 ARMADA, TITAN, AND 2004-2009 QUEST; DRIVER AIR…
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…

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 2012 Armada take?

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

Does the 2012 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 13 city / 19 highway / 15 combined mpg.