NissanPathfinder2015Overview/nissan/pathfinder/2015/base/

2015 Nissan Pathfinder

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2015 Pathfinder.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (variable gear ratios)

The 2015 Nissan Pathfinder is an SUV whose powertrain uses an automatic transmission with variable gear ratios, supported by a recommended service fill of 5.125 quarts of 0W-20 API oil. The EPA rates the configuration at 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined, a profile that frames the vehicle as a utility-focused offering rather than a performance-tuned one. On the reliability side, the model year has drawn 318 owner complaints and six recalls, with the largest single cluster of issues filed under "Unknown or Other." That total places 2015 well below the Pathfinder's all-time complaint peak of 1,050 in 2005 and firmly within the calmer stretch of the nameplate's 1990-2026 history, though the dominance of vaguely categorized complaints keeps the durability picture somewhat unresolved.

Model year202520242023202220202019201820172015

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.125 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20 APIOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy20/27/23 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses 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.

Tire sizeP235/65R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter1520865F0E
Engine air filter165460Z000
Spark plug22401EW61C
Battery244103JA2A
Front wiper blades288903JA2D alt 288903JA1B
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 weight4676 lb
Track (front / rear)65.7 / 65.7 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)54/46

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined20 / 27 / 23 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
2014Hybrid Platinum 2.5L Supercharger I-4 + Elec7.60 sec16.10 sec250 hpAWD
2016Platinum 3.5L V67.50 sec15.90 sec260 hpAWD
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
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 5.125 qt of 0W-20 API engine oil, SAE 75W · synthetic · API · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque 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

Automatic Transmission FluidGenuine NISSAN CVT Fluid NS-3
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity9.25
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilSAE 75W · synthetic · API · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.0 qt
Engine CoolantUse Nissan long life coolant
Engine Coolant Capacity10.3
Engine OilSAE 0W · API

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsLower: 1st
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts23
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsLower: 1st
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts23
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug22.0-26.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts33.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug26.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug26.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub135 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub92 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Spark Plug ManufacturerNissan
Spark Plug Gap.035 (hybrid) in
Spark Plug Torque14 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing10 degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance2 degrees
Ignition Timing10 degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity28.8 lbs
Oil TypeA/C System Oil Type S (DH-PS)
Oil Capacity7.8 oz

Service checks

RPM51 @ idle rpm
Engine Compressionpsi 142-185 / max variation 14 psi
Intake Valve Lash0.012-0.016 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.012-0.017 in
Intake Valve Lash0.012-0.016 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.012-0.017 in

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 34; Rear: 32 /; Front: 34; Rear: 32
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 91; Rear: 62 /; Front: 91; Rear: 62
ABS Sensor Torque10.2 / NS
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishFront: 1.024; Rear: .551
Variation from Parallelism Thickness VariationFront: .0003; Rear: .0008
Maximum Rotor RunoutFront: .0016; Rear: .002
Maximum Drum DiameterParking brake 7.520

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Measure the diameter of each cylinder head bolt at point A and point B. Point A = 11.00 mm from thread end and point B = 48.00 mm from thread end. If either diameter is less than 0.18 mm use new bolts coated with clean engine oil. Tighten all bolts to finger tight then continue on with the following procedure.

172.0 ft. lbs.72 ft. lbs
2Loosen bolts 360 degrees in reverse order360 degrees
326.0-32.0 ft. lbs.26–32 ft. lbs
490 degrees-95 degrees90 degrees
590 degrees-95 degrees90 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 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 5,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 10,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level)
Every 15,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 20,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Steering Gear Box Assembly (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBody Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Drive Belt (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exterior Lighting (inspect) · Headlamp (inspect alignment)
At 40,000 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 2015 model sits near the peak of a long‑term decline in complaints that began after the 2005‑2007 surge (1,050–561 complaints) and fell sharply to 105 complaints by 2016. Its 318 complaints are roughly half of the 2013‑2014 spikes (890 and 573) and well below the early‑2000s high‑hundreds, indicating a relatively smoother year for the generation. Recalls in 2015 (6) are lower than the 2013‑2014 peak of 11 but higher than the post‑2016 average of 2–3, suggesting the model still carried some unresolved issues despite the overall complaint drop. The top complaint categories—“Unknown or Other,” airbags, power‑train, and engine—show no single dominant defect, and the data does not specify a root cause for these reports. With complaints and recalls trending downward after 2015, the 2015 Pathfinder represents a moderate risk year, but its improving trend makes it a reasonably sound choice for a used purchase.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
238
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
318
Owner complaints
11 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 318 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Unknown Or Other57
Air Bags45
Power Train42
Engine38
Visibility/Wiper9
Structure8
Service Brakes7
Power Train,Engine7

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

16V244000Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant ClassificationReported 26/04/2016

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2013-2016 Nissan Altima, NV200, LEAF, Sentra, and Pathfinder, 2014-2016 Nissan NV200 Taxi, Infiniti QX60, QX60 Hybrid, and Q50… Remedy: Nissan will notify their owners. Chevrolet City Express owners will be notified by General Motors. Dealers will reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) and OCS Electronic Control…

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 238 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 2015 Pathfinder take?

5.125 qt of SAE 0W-20 Genuine NISSAN engine oil or equivalent Engine oil with API Certification Mark, per the factory manual.

Does the 2015 Pathfinder have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 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 / 27 highway / 23 combined mpg.