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2009 Nissan Sentra

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

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2009 Nissan Sentra is a passenger car requiring 4.1 quarts of 5W-30 API oil, specifications that establish the standard lubrication requirements for this model year. Reliability records show 55 owner complaints with air bags cited as the primary issue area, accompanied by a single recall—figures that register far below the 638-complaint peak of 2013 yet comfortably above the 8-complaint floor of 2026 within the model's 1990-to-2026 history. This positions the 2009 edition in the low-complaint tier of Sentra production, suggesting a service record marked by isolated component concerns rather than pattern failures.

Model year2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2009

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.1 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque72-87 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 40R · 550 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 40R · 550 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP205-60HR15OEM · verified

Wheel / rim6.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	1520865F0E
Engine air filter	16546ET00J alt 1654630P00
Spark plug	22401CK81B alt 22401JA01B
Front wiper blades	28890ZE91A alt 28890ZN90A
Serpentine belt	11720ET00A alt 11720ET80A
Thermostat	210496N220 alt 21049ED00A
Cabin air filter	27277VS00A

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	179.9 in
Overall width	70.5 in
Overall height	59.4 in
Wheelbase	105.9 in
Curb weight	2857 lb
Track (front / rear)	59.4 / 60.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	62/38

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Sentra of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.4–9.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.40 sec — 2007 SE-R Spec V

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2007	SE-R Spec V 2.5L I-4	6.40 sec	15.00 sec	200 hp	FWD
2007	SE-R Spec V 2.5L I-4	6.40 sec	14.90 sec	200 hp	FWD
2007	SE-R Spec V 2.5L I-4	6.60 sec	15.00 sec	200 hp	FWD
2007	SE-R Spec V 2.5L I-4	7.00 sec	15.40 sec	200 hp	FWD
2007	SE-R 2.5L I-4	7.40 sec	15.70 sec	177 hp	FWD
2007	2.0 S 2.0L I-4	8.30 sec	16.50 sec	140 hp	FWD
2007	2.0 S 2.0L I-4	9.20 sec	17.10 sec	140 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.1 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 72-87 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. 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

Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.1 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.5 qt
Power Steering Fluid	USE NISSAN POWER STEERING FLUID

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	51 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	80 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	20 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	25 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	14 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	31 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	29.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	25.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	72-87 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	92 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	MT: 675, CVT: 700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	MT: 800, CVT: 650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	50 rpm
Ignition Timing	6, Not adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance	5 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPM	Idle rpm

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	.99-1.21 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	5.03 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	40R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	550 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	21R

Service checks

Pressure Test	23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	11-14 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	177-182 °F
Pressure Test	23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	11-14 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	177-182 °F
Injector Primary Resistance	11.4-14.5 ohms
Injector Primary Resistance	10.4-15.3 ohms

Brakes

Brake Application	WITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Torque Caliper to Bracket	32 ft-lbs / 20 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	130 ft-lbs / 122 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness	0.059 in
Brake Application	WITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.006 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.0028 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages

1.4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 4.3 ft. lbs., Step 3: 7.0

1.4 ft. lbs

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages

1.4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 4.3 ft. lbs., Step 3: 7.0

1.4 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

20 ft. lbs., Step 2: Back off 360 degrees, Step 3: 14

20 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

22 ft. lbs., Step 2: Back off 360 degrees, Step 3: 14 ft. lbs., Step 4: 90

22 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

31 ft. lbs., step 2: 60

31 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 6 stages

1	30 ft. lbs.	30 ft. lbs
2	100 degrees.	100 degrees
3	Loosen all bolts in reverse order.
4	30 ft. lbs.	30 ft. lbs
5	100 degrees.	100 degrees
6	100 degrees.; Check diameter of bolts at two points, 11 mm and 45 mm from the end. Whenever the difference between these two points exceeds the limit of 0.15 mm, replace bolts. Apply new engine oil to bolt threads and seating surface.	100 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

1	72 ft. lbs.	72 ft. lbs
2	loosen all bolts
3	26-32 ft. lbs.	26–32 ft. lbs
4	75-80 degrees	75–80 degrees
5	75-80 degrees; Apply engine oil to bolt threads and under bolt head. If using new bolts, turn additional 60	75–80 degrees

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

25 ft. lbs., Step 2: 60

25 ft. lbs

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

Bolts 1-10

29 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 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 7,500 mi	Battery (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect)
Every 15,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Drive Belt (replace) · Emission Control System (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel System (inspect) · Headlamp (inspect alignment) · Radiator Cap (inspect)
At 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 mi	Radiator Hose (replace)
At 105,000 mi	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.

In the context of the 2007–2012 generation, the 2009 Nissan Sentra represents a significant outlier with a sharp drop in federal complaints. Compared to 167 complaints and 3 recalls in 2008, and 144 complaints and 3 recalls in 2010, the 2009 model year recorded only 55 complaints and a single recall. The primary complaint areas for this specific year are Air Bags (10 complaints), Steering (6), Service Brakes (4), and Tires (3), though the provided data does not specify the root causes for these issues. Falling at the lowest point in the generation's complaint arc suggests that 2009 was a relatively stable production year before complaint volumes returned to higher levels in 2010 and 2011. Consequently, the 2009 Sentra stands out as a statistically favorable year to buy within this generation, provided you verify that the single recall has been properly addressed.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

9 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

’90 ’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08’09’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 55 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags10

Steering6

Service Brakes4

Tires3

Service Brakes, Hydraulic3

Power Train2

Suspension2

Electrical System2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

10V401000Equipment:Electrical:Navigational System(Global Positioning System)Reported 10/09/2010

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH A GARMIN NUVI MODEL 750 NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE BATTERIES CONTAINED IN THE AFFECTED GPS UNITS CAN OVERHEAT. Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY GARMIN TECHNICIANS BY REPLACING THE BATTERY AND INSERTING A SPACER ON TOP OF THE BATTERY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 86 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
NTB09-131C	2026-04-13	Structure	CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB09-131C	2026-04-13	Structure	CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB13-107G	2024-05-20	Electrical System	VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been…
NTB13-027D	2024-05-20	Electrical System	CAN COMMUNICATION – NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See…
NTB10-066C	2024-05-20	Electrical System	CAN 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 Sentra. 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.

Group 40R battery Vehicles taking 4.1 qt Engine oil filter 1520865F0E Engine air filter 16546ET00J Spark plug 22401CK81B Front wiper blades 28890ZE91A

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2009 Sentra take?

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

Does the 2009 Sentra have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.