NissanPathfinder1991Overview/nissan/pathfinder/1991/base/

1991 Nissan Pathfinder

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1991 Pathfinder.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1991 Nissan Pathfinder comes equipped with an automatic four‑speed transmission and requires 3.6 qt of 5W‑30 API SM engine oil, delivering EPA‑rated fuel economy of 15 mpg city, 19 mpg highway and 17 mpg combined. Owner data show a total of 47 complaints for this model year, with the power train being the most frequently cited area and a single recall on record. When placed in the broader 1990‑2026 complaint history, the 1991 Pathfinder’s figure is far below the 2005 peak of 1,050 complaints and close to the 2026 low of just 7, indicating that this early‑generation model ranks among the more reliable examples in the line’s history.

Model year202520242023202220202019201820171991

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity3.6 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 API SMOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy15/19/17 mpgEPA · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length172 in
Overall width66.5 in
Overall height65.7 in
Wheelbase104.3 in
Curb weight3735 lb

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined15 / 19 / 17 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 Pathfinder of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

12.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 12.00 sec — 1991 SE
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1991SE 3.0L V612.00 sec18.70 sec153 hp4x4
1992SE 3.0L V612.30 sec18.90 sec153 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 3.6 qt of 5W-30 API SM engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 · 75W-90 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5 · 75W-90
Differential Gear Oil Capacity6 Pints
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity3.6 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.2 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 7,500 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 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.

At 7,500 miEngine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Breather Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect)
At 60,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miSteering System (inspect) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect) · Timing Belt (replace)

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 1991 Nissan Pathfinder recorded 47 complaints, a modest rise from the 43 complaints logged in 1990 but a decline from the 36 complaints reported in 1992. Recalls were limited to a single unit in 1991 and none in 1992, keeping early‑generation recall frequency low. Investigations remained steady at one per year across the three model years. The 1991 model generated 30 TSBs, exceeding the 13 TSBs of 1990 but falling below the 36 TSBs of 1992, and power‑train issues accounted for 14 of the 47 complaints, representing nearly one‑third of the total. Given that complaints and recalls are modest compared with later years and the vehicle’s early position in the generation, the 1991 Pathfinder can be considered a reasonable purchase provided a thorough inspection is performed.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
30
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
47
Owner complaints
3 involved a crash · 3 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Frontal★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 47 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train14
Engine & Engine Cooling8
Tires5
Seat Belts3
Steering3
Seats2
Fuel System, Gasoline2
Vehicle Speed Control2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

95V103002Seat Belts:Front:Buckle AssemblyReported 24/05/1995

THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY. Remedy: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 30 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
NTB08-097L2023-09-21SteeringDIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been…
NTB23-0492023-06-16Electrical System12 VOLT BATTERY TESTING FOR IN-SERVICE VEHICLES SERVICE INFORMATION The following Service…
NTB23-0532023-06-16Electrical SystemSILICONE-BASED LUBRICANT OR GREASE CAN DAMAGE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SERVICE INFORMATION…
NTB13-107F2023-04-27Electrical SystemVEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been…
NTB16-003C2023-04-17Electrical SystemINTELLIGENT KEY REPLACEMENT OR SWAPPING BETWEEN VEHICLES 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 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 1991 Pathfinder take?

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

Does the 1991 Pathfinder have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 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 / 19 highway / 17 combined mpg.