NissanNV35002021Overview/nissan/nv3500/2021/base/

2021 Nissan NV3500

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 NV3500.

As the 2021 iteration of the Nissan NV3500 platform, this vehicle's engine requires a robust 6.8 quarts of 0W-20 viscosity oil to maintain proper lubrication. From a reliability standpoint, this model year sits at a remarkably stable point in the vehicle's history, logging zero recalls and just two total owner complaints categorized under "Unknown Or Other." This minimal issue count stands in stark contrast to the model's broader complaint history spanning 2012 to 2017—which peaked at 16 complaints in 2017 and hit a low of four in 2012—indicating that the 2021 NV3500 represents a highly matured, dependable iteration of the platform for researchers to evaluate.

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity6.8 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 27F W/TOW PKG. · 710 W/TOW PKG. CCA battery, OE oil filter 152089E01A. Note the factory front wiper blades is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. 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 27F W/TOW PKG. · 710 W/TOW PKG. CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnLAMPOEM · verified
Tire sizeLT245/75R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter152089E01A
Engine air filter165467S000 alt 16546EZ31B
Spark plug224011LA1C alt 22401ZE01B
Battery24410ZZ50B
Front wiper blades288901PA0A discontinued
Serpentine belt11720EZ30B
Thermostat110625ZM0A alt 13050ZA000

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length240.6 in
Overall width79.9 in
Overall height105.9 in
Wheelbase146.1 in
Curb weight6065 lb
Track (front / rear)68.9 / 68.9 in

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 6.8 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, Synthetic · 75W-90 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to Use a new washer: 25.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-7-3-6-5-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidNissan Matic S Transmission Fluid
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity11.2 qt
Automatic Transmission FluidNissan Matic S Transmission Fluid
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity10.56 qt
Brake FluidDOT 3
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilSynthetic · 75W-90
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.7 qt

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts65.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts65.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts65.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts65.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsLower: 5.5 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugUse a new washer: 25.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugUse a new washer: 25.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs96.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Differential Fill PlugFinal Drive: 24.0 ft-lbs
Differential drain PlugFinal Drive: 24.0 ft-lbs
Differential Fill PlugFinal Drive: 24.0 ft-lbs
Differential drain PlugFinal Drive: 24.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Cylinder Firing Order1-8-7-3-6-5-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)Setting Speed: 725 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)Checking Speed: 725 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)Setting Speed: 650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Standard BCI Group Number27F W/TOW PKG.
Standard BCI Cranking Performance710 W/TOW PKG. cca
Optional BCI Group Number24F W/OUT TOW PKG.
Optional BCI Cranking Performance650 W/OUT TOW PKG. cca
Standard BCI Group Number27F W/TOW PKG.

Brakes

Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.079

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 9-1217 in
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
117.0 inch lbs., Step 2: 52.0 inch lbs., Step 3: 96.0 inch lbs.17 in
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 9-121.4 ft. lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
11.4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 4.3 ft. lbs., Step 3: 8.01.4 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
114.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°14 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 9-1117 in
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
114.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°14 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 9-111.4 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1151.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90-96°151 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
172.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Loosen all bolts in reverse order of tightening. Step 3: 29.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: 90°, Step 5: 90°72 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
130.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 75°, Step 3: Loosen all bolts in reverse order of tightening. Step 4: 30.0 ft. lbs., Step 5: 90°, Step 6: 90°30 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
121.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 21.021 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 17-2416 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 1-1029 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 17-2416 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 1-1029 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 every 7,500 mi. The big-interval services (every 7,500 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 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (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 2021 NV3500 sits at the very end of the generation, but the federal record only covers 2012–2017, so direct year-to-year comparison is limited. Over that span, complaints rose from 4 in 2012 to 16 in 2017, while recalls dropped from 4 to 1 and TSBs fell from 119 to 44, suggesting Nissan addressed many early issues but later model years still saw more owner grievances. For the 2021 model, the database shows only 2 complaints (one powertrain, one unknown) and 1 crash complaint, with no fire reports—a much lower count than any year in the 2012–2017 record. However, because the data does not include recalls or TSBs for 2021, it is impossible to confirm whether the low complaint number reflects genuine improvement or simply underreporting. Given the trend of rising complaints through 2017 and the sparse 2021 data, this is a cautiously acceptable year to buy, but you should independently check for any open recalls and verify the vehicle’s service history before purchasing.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
40
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
2
Owner complaints
1 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 2 complaints on record, top 2 components.

Unknown Or Other1
Power Train1

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 40 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 NV3500. 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 2021 NV3500 take?

6.8 qt of Nissan SN 0W-20 Motor Oil, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 NV3500 have open recalls?

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