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2011 Nissan Pathfinder

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2011 Pathfinder.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic 5-spd

The 2011 Pathfinder is an SUV paired with a five-speed automatic transmission and specified for 5W-30 API engine oil at a 5.4-quart capacity, returning EPA fuel economy of 15 mpg city, 22 mpg highway, and 17 mpg combined. The model year sits in a quiet band of the nameplate's complaint history, with 45 owner reports and two recalls filed against a 1990–2026 range that peaks at 1,050 complaints in 2005 and bottoms out at 7 in 2026. Researchers tracking the line should note that air bags are the leading complaint category — a focal point worth weighing against the broader arc toward the lower-complaint territory represented by the 2026 model year.

Model year2025 2024 2023 2022 2020 2019 2018 2017 2011

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.4 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque87-108 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy15/22/17 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

Tire sizeP265-60R18OEM · verified

Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	152089E01A
Engine air filter	165467S000
Spark plug	22401ZE01B
Battery	24410JA10A
Front wiper blades	288909CA0B alt 288909CA0A
Serpentine belt	11720EA20A alt 117207S00A
Thermostat	212001LA1A alt 13050ZA000
Cabin air filter	27277VR00A

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 5-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	192.1 in
Overall width	72.8 in
Overall height	72.4 in
Wheelbase	112.2 in
Curb weight	4945 lb
Track (front / rear)	62.2 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	51/49

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	15 / 22 / 17 mpg
Drivetrain	Rear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Premium 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.

7.2–7.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.20 sec — 2012 LE

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2010	LE 4.0L V6	7.50 sec	15.90 sec	266 hp	4x4
2012	LE 4.0L V6	7.20 sec	15.60 sec	266 hp	4x4
2005	SE Off-Road 4.0L V6	7.50 sec	15.90 sec	270 hp	4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5.4 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 87-108 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 22.0-26.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-7-3-6-5-4-2. 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 Fluid	Nissan Matic-S
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	11.2
Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil	SYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	3 Pints
Differential Gear Oil	80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	1.8 Pints
Differential Gear Oil	80W-90 · GL-5

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts	65 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	65 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	11 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	6 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	25 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	22.0-26.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	8 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	8 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	87-108 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	18.0-25.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	18.0-25.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	101 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	177 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-3-4-5-6
Cylinder Firing Order	1-8-7-3-6-5-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	CVT: 650, MT: 600 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	50 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance	Except 0 or Between terminals 1 and 2 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance	Except 0 Between terminals 1 and 3
Ignition Timing	15, Not adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance	5 degrees

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	Front A/C, 1.43-1.65; front and rear A/C, 1.76-1.98. lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	Front A/C, 6.10; front and rear A/C, 7.10. oz
Standard BCI Group Number	35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	550 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	24F

Service checks

Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	Radiator leak pressure testing, 5 psi.
Pressure Test	20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	14-17 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	177-182 °F
Pressure Test	20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	176-183 °F
Injector Primary Resistance	11.1-14.5 ohms

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	20 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	136 ft-lbs / 76 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	1.102 in / 0.709 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	1.102 in / 0.709 in
Rotor Minimum Machining	1.024 in / 0.63 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages

Bolts 9-12

1.4 ft. lbs

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages

1.4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 4.3 ft. lbs., Step 3: 7.6

1.4 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

22 ft. lbs., Step 2: Back off 360 degrees, Step 3: 11 ft. lbs., Step 4: 90

22 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

14 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

14 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

33 ft. lbs., step 2: 84-90

33 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

69 ft. lbs., step 2: 90

69 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

1	72 ft. lbs.	72 ft. lbs
2	loosen all bolts in reverse order.
3	29 ft. lbs.	29 ft. lbs
4	90 degrees	90 degrees
5	90 degrees; Check diameter of bolts at two point, 11 mm and 48 mm from the end. Whenever the difference between these two point exceed the limit of 0.11 mm, replace bolts.	90 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 6 stages

1	33 ft. lbs.	33 ft. lbs
2	70 degrees	70 degrees
3	loosen all bolts in reverse order
4	33 ft. lbs.	33 ft. lbs
5	60 degrees	60 degrees
6	60 degrees; Check diameter of bolts at two point, 12 mm and 55 mm from the end. Whenever the difference between these two point exceed the limit of 0.23 mm, replace bolts.; Apply new engine oil to threads and seating surface of mounting bolts.	60 degrees

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

Bolts 1-10

29 ft. lbs

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

Bolts 17-24

16 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 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 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 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Differential (inspect fluid level)
At 30,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 30,000 mi	Body 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 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)
At 105,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 180,000 mi	Engine 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 2011 Pathfinder sits near the low‑point of the generation’s complaint curve, with only 45 complaints—well below the spikes of the mid‑2000s (e.g., 1,050 in 2005) and the later surge in 2013‑2014. Its recall count (2) is also among the fewest in the 2008‑2016 window, matching the modest 2‑recall years of 2009, 2010, and 2016, and far under the 11 recalls recorded in 2013‑2014. While the number of Technical Service Bulletins (104) is high, this follows the upward trend that began in the late 2000s and reflects broader service updates rather than a specific defect; the data does not specify a root cause for the TSBs. The top complaint areas—air bags, engine, power‑train, and service brakes—are typical for the model line, and there were no crash‑related complaints and only one fire complaint. **Takeaway:** 2011 shows relatively low complaints and recalls compared with surrounding years, suggesting it is a comparatively safe used‑car year for a Pathfinder.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

104

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

0 involved a crash · 1 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10’11’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 45 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags10

Engine6

Power Train4

Service Brakes3

Suspension2

Electrical System2

Unknown Or Other2

Suspension,Air Bags,Seat Belts1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

11V592000Engine And Engine CoolingReported 19/12/2011

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 INFINITI FX, MODEL YEAR 2012 INFINITI M, MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 NISSAN FRONTIER, MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 NISSAN XTERRA, MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 NISSAN PATHFINDER, AND MODEL YEAR 2012… Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CONNECTOR BOLTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

23V067000Air Bags:FrontalReported 10/02/2023

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2008-2011 Titan, Frontier, Xterra, Pathfinder, Armada, and 2008-2009 Quest vehicles. The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may develop cracks and detach… Remedy: Dealers will replace the drivers airbag cover. Owner letters were mailed December 8, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 104 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
ITB09-063C	2026-04-13	Structure	CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB09-131C	2026-04-13	Structure	CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB09-131C	2026-04-13	Structure	CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB23-081C	2024-07-08	Air Bags	VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN 2005-2013 FRONTIER, PATHFINDER, AND XTERRA; DRIVER AIR…
NTB13-107G	2024-05-20	Electrical System	VEHICLE 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.

Group 35 battery Vehicles taking 5.4 qt Engine oil filter 152089E01A Engine air filter 165467S000 Spark plug 22401ZE01B Battery 24410JA10A

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2011 Pathfinder take?

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

Does the 2011 Pathfinder have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Pathfinder get?

EPA figures are 15 city / 22 highway / 17 combined mpg.