NissanXterra2015Overview/nissan/xterra/2015/base/

2015 Nissan Xterra

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

Body SUVTransmission Automatic 5-spd

The 2015 Nissan Xterra is a conventional SUV paired with a five-speed automatic and returning EPA figures of 16 city, 22 highway, and 18 combined mpg, with an engine sump holding 5.375 quarts of 5W-30 API oil that reflects the vehicle's straightforward, serviceable engineering. Across the model's 1999–2015 complaint history, owner grievances peaked at 845 in 2005 before declining to a low of four in 2013, and the 2015 sits squarely in that improved late-cycle territory with just ten total complaints—concentrated in the power train—and zero recalls. This positions the final model year as one of the more sorted examples of the platform, suggesting that by 2015 Nissan had largely moved past the drivetrain troubles that marred earlier generations and leaving researchers with a relatively mature, low-drama entry point into Xterra ownership.

Model year201520142013201220112010200920082007

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.375 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy16/22/18 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 152089E01A. 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
Tail / brake / turnBACKUPOEM · verified
Tire sizeP265/70R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.0JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter152089E01A
Engine air filter165467S000
Spark plug22401ZE01B
Battery244103JA2A
Front wiper blades288909CA0B alt 288909CA0A
Serpentine belt11720EA20A
Thermostat13050ZA000 alt 2120031U1B
Cabin air filter27277VR00A

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 5-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length178.3 in
Overall width72.8 in
Overall height74.8 in
Wheelbase106.3 in
Curb weight4387 lb
Track (front / rear)61.4 / 61.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)56/44

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 22 / 18 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 Xterra of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.0–7.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.00 sec — 2006 Off-Road
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2008Off-Road 4.0L V67.40 sec15.80 sec261 hp4x4
2006Off-Road 4.0L V67.00 sec15.70 sec265 hp4x4
2006Off-Road 4.0L V67.40 sec15.80 sec265 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5.375 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, API · GL-5 · synthetic · SAE 75W · 75W-140 · SAE 75W in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque 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 OilAPI · GL-5 · synthetic · SAE 75W · 75W-140 · SAE 75W
Differential Gear Oil CapacityC200
Engine CoolantUse Nissan long life coolant
Engine Coolant Capacity10.8
Engine OilSAE 5W · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.375 qt
Fuel Tank Capacity21.125 gallons

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsLower: 1st
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts11
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug22.0-29.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts37.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug26.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug26.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub101 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Spark Plug ManufacturerNissan
Spark Plug Gap.043 in
Spark Plug Torque18 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing15 degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance5 degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity24.64 lbs
Oil TypeA/C System Oil Type R (DH-PR)
Oil Capacity6.1 oz
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance550 cca

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

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 20; Rear: 20 /
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 134; Rear: 65 /; Rear: 65
ABS Sensor Torque15 / NS
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishFront: 1.024; Rear: .630
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation.0006
Maximum Rotor RunoutFront: .002; Rear: .002
Maximum Drum DiameterParking Brake: 7.508

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.

177.0 ft. lbs.77 ft. lbs
2Loosen bolts 360 degrees in reverse order360 degrees
330.0 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
495 degrees95 degrees
595 degrees95 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.

Across its generation, the Xterra's federal record shows a steep complaint arc, peaking at 845 complaints in 2005 and 780 in 2006, before steadily declining to minimal levels by 2013. The 2015 model sits at the very end of this descending arc, matching 2014 with only 10 complaints and zero recalls or investigations, which implies Nissan had largely resolved the generation's earlier friction points by this production year. For the 2015 Xterra specifically, the Power Train category accounts for 5 of the 10 total complaints, though the data does not specify the root causes behind these reported issues. Furthermore, this target year benefits from zero crash complaints, zero fire complaints, and no federal investigations. Because it represents the most mature and stable point in the generation's lifecycle with minimal federal scrutiny, the 2015 Xterra is an excellent, low-risk used buy.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
83
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
10
Owner complaints
0 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

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 10 complaints on record, top 6 components.

Power Train5
Structure1
Suspension,Service Brakes1
Suspension,Unknown Or Other1
Suspension,Parking Brake1
Power Train,Vehicle Speed Control,Electronic Stability Control (Esc)1

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 83 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
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…
NTB13-107G2024-05-20Electrical SystemVEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been…
NTB13-027D2024-05-20Electrical SystemCAN COMMUNICATION – NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See…
NTB10-066C2024-05-20Electrical SystemCAN 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 Xterra. 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 Xterra take?

5.375 qt of SAE 5W-30 Genuine NISSAN engine oil or equivalent-Engine oil with API Certification Mark, per the factory manual.

Does the 2015 Xterra have open recalls?

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

What gas mileage does the Xterra get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined mpg.