NissanFrontier2015Overview/nissan/frontier/2015/base/

2015 Nissan Frontier

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

Body TRUCK

The 2015 Nissan Frontier is a midsize pickup truck that calls for 5.0 quarts of 5W‑30 API‑spec engine oil. Owner‑reported complaints for the model year total 33, with air‑bag issues being the most frequent category, and the vehicle carries no open recalls. When viewed against the Frontier’s complaint history from 1998 through 2025—where the peak was 210 complaints in 2000 and the low point is just 7 complaints in 2025—the 2015 model sits well below the historic high and indicates a period of comparatively better reliability.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182015

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

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 / turnSTOPOEM · verified
Tire sizeP265/75R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.0 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter152089E01A alt 1520865F0E
Engine air filter165467S000 alt 16546EA000
Spark plug22401ZE01B alt 22401CK81B
Battery244103JA2A
Front wiper blades288909CA0B alt 288909CA0A
Serpentine belt11720EA20A alt 11720EA001
Thermostat21200EA000 alt 13050ZA000
Cabin air filter27277VR00A

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length205.5 in
Overall width72.8 in
Overall height70.1 in
Wheelbase126 in
Curb weight4597 lb
Track (front / rear)61.8 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Frontier of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.2–7.6 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.20 sec — 2012 PRO-4X V6 King Cab (6.1 ft. Bed)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2017PRO-4X V6 Crew Cab (4'11.5" Bed) 4.0L V67.30 sec15.80 sec261 hp4x4
2012PRO-4X V6 King Cab (6.1 ft. Bed) 4.0L V67.20 sec15.70 sec261 hp4x4
2020PRO-4X V6 Crew Cab (4'11.5" Bed) 3.8L V67.30 sec15.60 sec310 hp4x4
2020PRO-4X V6 Crew Cab (4'11.5" Bed) 3.8L V67.50 sec15.80 sec310 hp4x4
2005LE V6 Crew Cab (4.9 ft. Bed) 4.0L V67.60 sec16.10 sec265 hp4x4
2005NISMO Off-Road V6 King Cab (6.1 ft. Bed) 4.0L V67.60 sec15.80 sec265 hp4x4
2005NISMO Off-Road V6 King Cab (6.1 ft. Bed) 4.0L V67.60 sec16.00 sec265 hp4x4

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, API · GL-5 · synthetic · 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
Differential Gear OilAPI · GL-5 · synthetic · SAE 75W
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.5 qt
Differential Gear OilAPI · GL-5 · synthetic · SAE 75W
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.5 qt
Engine Coolant Capacity10.0

Engine torques

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts31
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsLower: 1st
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug22.0-29.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts)53.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket165.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle77.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket77.0 ft-lbs
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 Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Spark Plug ManufacturerNissan
Spark Plug Gap.043 in
Spark Plug Torque14 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerNissan
Spark Plug Gap.043 in
Spark Plug Torque18 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity22.88-26.4 lbs
Oil TypeA/C System Oil Type R (DH-PR)
Oil Capacity6.1 oz
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance550 cca
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance550 cca

Service checks

RPM51 @ idle rpm
Injector Primary Resistance11.1-14.3 ohms
Engine Compressionpsi 161-189 max variation 14 psi
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: 20; Rear: 20 /
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 136; Rear: 65 /; Front: 136; Rear: 63
ABS Sensor Torque15.5 / 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

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 = 12.00 mm from thread end and point B = 55.00 mm from thread end. If either diameter is less than 0.23 mm use new bolts coated with clean engine oil. Tighten all bolts to finger tight then continue on with the following procedure.

141.0 ft. lbs.41 ft. lbs
2Loosen bolts 360 degrees in reverse order360 degrees
329.0 ft. lbs.29 ft. lbs
475 degrees75 degrees
575 degrees75 degrees
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.

The 2015 Nissan Frontier recorded 33 federal complaints, the lowest figure among the three most recent model years, and incurred zero recalls, whereas 2014 and 2016 each posted 42 complaints and 2 and 1 recalls respectively. Air Bags accounted for the highest share of complaints (9), followed by Tires (2) and Power Train,Vehicle Speed Control and Engine each with 2. The complaint trajectory from 2011 through 2015 shows a steady decline, dropping from 64 complaints in 2011 to 33 in 2015, before a modest rise to 42 in 2016. Recall activity remained minimal, with only 1 recall in 2016 and none in 2015, indicating limited safety‑related defects for that model year. Consequently, the 2015 model year presents a low‑complaint, no‑recall profile and is therefore a favorable purchase year, provided other factors are considered.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
115
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
33
Owner complaints
2 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

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 33 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags9
Tires2
Power Train,Vehicle Speed Control2
Engine2
Electrical System2
Structure2
Power Train1
Latches/Locks/Linkages1

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 115 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 Frontier. 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 Frontier take?

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

Does the 2015 Frontier have open recalls?

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