NissanPathfinder2001Overview/nissan/pathfinder/2001/base/

2001 Nissan Pathfinder

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2001 Pathfinder.

Body SUV

The 2001 Nissan Pathfinder is an SUV equipped with an engine requiring 5.3 quarts of 5W-30 API oil, a mechanical footprint accompanied by 239 total owner complaints predominantly centered on the suspension alongside 7 separate recalls. When viewed against the model's broader 1990-2026 reliability timeline, this year occupies a middling space, registering far fewer grievances than the 2005 peak of 1050 complaints yet significantly more than the 7 recorded for 2026. Consequently, the 2001 model represents a moderately problematic point in the nameplate's history, where distinct suspension vulnerabilities are present but fall well short of the severe reliability nadir reached in 2005.

Model year202520242023202220202019201820172001

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.3 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque87-108 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 25 · 360 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 25 · 360 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnOFFOEM · verified
Tire sizeP245-70SR16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter1520865F0E
Engine air filter16546V0100
Fuel filter164000W005
Spark plug224015M015 alt 224015M014
Front wiper blades288903W40A alt 2889040U01
Serpentine belt11920AG900 alt 117204P102
Thermostat212306N20A alt 1305031U00
Cabin air filter27277VP03A

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length182.7 in
Overall width69.7 in
Overall height68.1 in
Wheelbase106.3 in
Curb weight4325 lb
Track (front / rear)60.6 / 60.6 in

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.

9.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 9.20 sec — 2001 LE
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2001LE 3.5L V69.20 sec17.00 sec240 hp4x4
1997SE 3.3L V610.70 sec17.90 sec168 hp4x4
1996SE 3.3L V610.20 sec17.90 sec168 hp4x4
1996LE 3.3L V611.00 sec18.20 sec168 hp4x4
1996SE 3.3L V611.30 sec18.40 sec168 hp4x4
1996SE 3.3L V611.50 sec18.40 sec168 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5.3 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 75W-90 · 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 87-108 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 22.0-29.0 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

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · 80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity6 Pints
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.3 qt
Power Steering FluidATF
Transfer Case FluidATF
Transfer Case Fluid Capacity4.6 Pints

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts32-41 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts65 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts21-24 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug22.0-29.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs5.0-6.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

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
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)750 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque14-22 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing15 degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance2 degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.32-1.54 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeNISSAN A/C System Oil Type S or equivalent
Oil Capacity6.80 oz
Standard BCI Group Number25
Standard BCI Cranking Performance360 cca
Optional BCI Group Number27

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)43.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)34.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance13.5-17.5 ohms
Engine Compression185-142 PSI. 14 Maximum variation PSI.
Engine Compression142-185 psi
Engine Oil Pressure43 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM2000 rpm
Intake Valve Lash0.012-0.016 in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket16-23 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle62 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0028 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.103 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.103 in
Rotor Minimum Machining1.024 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.023 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
114-15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90-9514–15 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages
172 ft. lbs.72 ft. lbs
2Loosen all bolts.
326-32 ft. lbs.26–32 ft. lbs
490-95 degrees.90–95 degrees
590-95 degrees.90–95 degrees
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
14-7 ft. lbs., step 2: 20-23 ft. lbs., step 3: 20-234–7 ft. lbs
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 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 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.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Steering Linkage (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 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 2001 Nissan Pathfinder sits at the peak of complaints within its generation (1996-2004), with 239 complaints—the highest of any R50 model year—and 7 recalls, second only to 2002's 9. This marks a sharp increase from the 129 complaints in 2000 and a decline to 171 in 2002, suggesting 2001 was a particularly problematic year. The top complaint areas—suspension (36), equipment (35), and fuel system (21)—along with 19 crash-related complaints and 2 fire incidents, indicate widespread issues across multiple systems. While the generation as a whole shows a rising then falling complaint arc, 2001 represents the worst point in that curve. Given its elevated complaint and recall counts relative to both preceding and following years, the 2001 Pathfinder is a poor choice for a used purchase; buyers should instead consider earlier or later model years within the same generation.

7
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
94
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
239
Owner complaints
19 involved a crash · 2 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 239 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Suspension36
Equipment35
Fuel System, Gasoline21
Structure14
Steering,Suspension14
Engine & Engine Cooling11
Steering10
Vehicle Speed Control10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 7 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

11V244000Steering:ColumnReported 20/04/2011

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1996-2004 PATHFINDER AND MODEL YEAR 1997-2003 INFINITI QX4 VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MASSACHUSETTS… Remedy: NISSAN WILL INSPECT THE STRUT HOUSING AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM NOTIFICATION LETTER WAS SENT OUT IN MAY 2011. THE SECOND NOTICE WAS MAILED…

09E012000Exterior LightingReported 07/04/2009

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE… Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 94 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
NTB13-107G2024-05-20Electrical SystemVEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been…
NTB17-019H2024-04-29Visibility/WiperWINDOW GLASS WARRANTY INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY…
NTB13-028I2024-04-29Visibility/WiperREMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See…
NTB09-081K2024-04-29Visibility/WiperWINDSHIELD CRACKING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last…
NTB08-097L2023-09-21SteeringDIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been…

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 2001 Pathfinder take?

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

Does the 2001 Pathfinder have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.