NissanPathfinder2013Overview/nissan/pathfinder/2013/base/

2013 Nissan Pathfinder

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2013 Pathfinder.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (variable gear ratios)

The 2013 Nissan Pathfinder is an SUV that takes 5.0 qt of 5W‑30 API‑spec oil and is mated to an automatic transmission with variable gear ratios. It carries an EPA fuel‑economy rating of 20/25/22 mpg and has accumulated 890 owner complaints, with the power train cited as the top problem area and 11 recalls on record. Compared with the Pathfinder’s complaint history from 1990 through 2026—where the 2005 model logged the highest 1,050 complaints and the 2026 model the lowest at 7—the 2013’s total places it below the peak but above the recent low, signalling a moderate reliability position for this year.

Model year202520242023202220202019201820172013

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque83 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy20/25/22 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 · 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 35 · 550 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP245-75R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter1520865F0E
Engine air filter165460Z000
Spark plug22401EW61C
Battery244103JA2A
Front wiper blades288903JA1B alt 288903JA2D
Serpentine belt117206TA0A
Thermostat13050ZA000 alt 212009HP0A
Cabin air filter272773JC1C

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (variable gear ratios)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length197.2 in
Overall width77.2 in
Overall height69.7 in
Wheelbase114.2 in
Curb weight4506 lb
Track (front / rear)65.7 / 65.7 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)54/46

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined20 / 25 / 22 mpg
DrivetrainFront-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.

7.2–8.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.20 sec — 2013 Platinum
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2013Platinum 3.5L V67.20 sec15.60 sec260 hpAWD
2013Platinum 3.5L V67.50 sec15.70 sec260 hpAWD
2013Platinum 3.5L V68.40 sec16.50 sec260 hpAWD
2014Hybrid Platinum 2.5L Supercharger I-4 + Elec7.60 sec16.10 sec250 hpAWD
2016Platinum 3.5L V67.50 sec15.90 sec260 hpAWD
2017Platinum 3.5L V67.40 sec15.70 sec284 hpAWD
2017SV 3.5L V67.40 sec15.70 sec284 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5.0 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, SYNTHETIC · 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential. Torque lug nuts to 83 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 22.0-26.0 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 OilSYNTHETIC · 80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1 pint
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt
Power Steering FluidGenuine NISSAN E-PSF
Power Steering Fluid Capacity18.0

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts65 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts23 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug22.0-26.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs5 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts83 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug26.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug26.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)625 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
Ignition Timing12, Not adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance2 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.87 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity6.10 oz
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance550 cca

Service checks

Injector Primary Resistance11.1-14.5 ohms
Engine Oil Pressure43 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM3000 rpm
Intake Valve Lash0.012-0.016 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.012-0.017 in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket34 ft-lbs / 32 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle91 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 From1.1 in / 0.63 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.1 in / 0.63 in
Rotor Minimum Machining1.02 in / 0.55 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 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.103 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 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant at 105,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 105,000 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 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Differential (inspect fluid level)
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 2013 model recorded 890 federal complaints, 11 recalls and 4 investigations, far exceeding the 23 complaints and 2 recalls of the preceding 2012 model and the 573 complaints and 11 recalls of the following 2014 model. Within the 2013 complaint breakdown, Power Train accounted for 250 reports, Air Bags for 119, Unknown Or Other for 76 and Structure for 56, indicating that drivetrain and safety‑system concerns were the most frequently cited issues. This complaint volume marks a sharp rebound after a multi‑year decline from the low single‑digit levels of 2009‑2012, representing the highest complaint count in the generation’s recent arc. Investigations in 2013 (4) were higher than the 0 recorded in 2012 but similar to the 3 reported in 2014. Because the 2013 year shows elevated complaint and recall activity without a clear root‑cause disclosure, prospective buyers should weigh these factors carefully and consider a thorough inspection before purchase.

11
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
266
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
4
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
890
Owner complaints
16 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 890 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train250
Air Bags119
Unknown Or Other76
Structure56
Power Train,Engine40
Engine31
Service Brakes31
Visibility/Wiper30

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 11 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

14V138000Electrical System:SoftwareReported 25/03/2014

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Altima, LEAF, Pathfinder, and Sentra, model year 2013 NV200 (aka Taxi) and Infiniti JX35 and model year 2014 Infiniti Q50 and QX60 vehicles… Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2014. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

15V681000Air Bags:FrontalReported 20/10/2015

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Altima and Pathfinder vehicles, 2013-2014 Nissan Sentra vehicles, 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles, 2014-2015 Infiniti QX60 vehicles and 2014… Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge. The recall began on November 30, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 266 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
ITB09-063C2026-04-13StructureCERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB09-131C2026-04-13StructureCERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB09-131C2026-04-13StructureCERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB12-103I2024-06-06Power TrainCVT/TCM CALIBRATION DATA “WRITE” PROCEDURE This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT…
NTB13-107G2024-05-20Electrical SystemVEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START 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 2013 Pathfinder take?

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

Does the 2013 Pathfinder have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 11 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Pathfinder get?

EPA figures are 20 city / 25 highway / 22 combined mpg.