NissanPathfinder1995Overview/nissan/pathfinder/1995/base/

1995 Nissan Pathfinder

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1995 Pathfinder.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1995 Nissan Pathfinder is a conventional SUV of its era, pairing a four-speed automatic transmission with a powertrain that calls for 3.6 quarts of 5W-30 API SM oil and returns EPA figures of 14 city, 17 highway, and 15 combined mpg. Owners have logged 185 complaints across the model's history, with engine and engine cooling issues standing out as the dominant trouble area, yet the 1995 model carries zero recalls—a clean record that positions it well within the Pathfinder's broader 1990–2026 complaint timeline, where the troubled 2005 model year peaked at 1,050 complaints. For a researcher, that places this mid-1990s example in the model's quieter, more dependable early chapter, suggesting a vehicle that, while not without its reported engine-cooling concerns, avoided the recall-driven scrutiny that would later define the platform's worst years.

Model year202520242023202220202019201820171995

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity3.6 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 API SMOEM · verified
Lug nut torque87-108 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy14/17/15 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 25 · 360 CCA battery, OE oil filter 1520855Y0A. 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 25 · 360 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP235-75R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter1520855Y0A
Engine air filter16546V0100
Fuel filter16400N7605JP
Spark plug2240153J05 alt 2240153J07
Front wiper blades28890VB005
Serpentine belt0211790523TM alt 0211740023
Thermostat21200V5015

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length172 in
Overall width66.5 in
Overall height66.5 in
Wheelbase104.3 in
Curb weight3931 lb
Track (front / rear)56.3 / 55.5 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)53/47

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined14 / 17 / 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 Pathfinder of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

12.0–12.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 12.00 sec — 1991 SE
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1992SE 3.0L V612.30 sec18.90 sec153 hp4x4
1991SE 3.0L V612.00 sec18.70 sec153 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 3.6 qt of 5W-30 API SM engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 · 75W-90 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 87-108 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 22.0-29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5 · 75W-90
Differential Gear Oil Capacity6 Pints
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity3.6 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.2 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings28-33 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsBolts: 12-14 ft-lbs, nuts: 17-20 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts13-16 ft-lbs
Main Bearings67-74 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug22.0-29.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs6MM

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts)65.0-72.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket58.0-72.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle58.0-72.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket58.0-72.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts87-108 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug18.0-25.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug18.0-25.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque14-22 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing15 degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance2 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.60-1.90 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity6.80 oz
Standard BCI Group Number25
Standard BCI Cranking Performance360 cca
Optional BCI Group Number27

Service checks

Pressure Test11-14 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief11-14 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature170 °F
Engine Compression173-128 PSI. 14 Maximum variation PSI.
Engine Oil Pressure60-70 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM3000 rpm

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC
Torque Caliper to Bracket23-30 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle33 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket16-23 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle62 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket16-23 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle62 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages
122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
243 ft. lbs.43 ft. lbs
3Loosen all bolts completely.
422 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
540-47

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 7,500 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 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.

At 7,500 miEngine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Breather Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect)
At 60,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miSteering System (inspect) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
At 105,000 miTiming Belt (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 1995 Nissan Pathfinder marks a distinct turning point in its generation's federal record, with complaints surging from 109 in 1994 to 185 in 1995. This sharp escalation places the target year at the onset of a steep upward arc that culminated in a peak of 235 complaints in 1997, indicating the introduction or exacerbation of systemic issues. Specifically, the 1995 model logged 44 engine and cooling complaints and 38 structure complaints, alongside 14 crash and 7 fire complaints, though the data does not specify the root causes. Despite this high complaint volume, the 1995 model triggered zero federal recalls or investigations. Given its position at the vanguard of a sustained, multi-year spike in reported problems, the 1995 Pathfinder is a risky used buy; consumers would be better served seeking the earlier, lower-complaint 1992 or 1993 models.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
44
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
185
Owner complaints
14 involved a crash · 7 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 185 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling44
Structure38
Power Train17
Suspension,Structure8
Fuel System, Gasoline7
Electrical System7
Tires7
Service Brakes, Hydraulic6

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 44 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
NTB08-097L2023-09-21SteeringDIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been…
NTB23-0492023-06-16Electrical System12 VOLT BATTERY TESTING FOR IN-SERVICE VEHICLES SERVICE INFORMATION The following Service…
NTB23-0532023-06-16Electrical SystemSILICONE-BASED LUBRICANT OR GREASE CAN DAMAGE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SERVICE INFORMATION…
NTB13-107F2023-04-27Electrical SystemVEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been…
NTB16-003C2023-04-17Electrical SystemINTELLIGENT KEY REPLACEMENT OR SWAPPING BETWEEN VEHICLES 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 Pathfinder. 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 1995 Pathfinder take?

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

Does the 1995 Pathfinder have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Pathfinder get?

EPA figures are 14 city / 17 highway / 15 combined mpg.