Used Nissan Frontier Engines
Used, remanufactured and rebuilt engines for the 1998-to-present Nissan Frontier — tested before they ship and covered by warranty. Tell us your truck and we’ll match the exact engine.
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Engine Options
Which engine does your Frontier have?
Three generations of Frontier have used three engine families: the 2.4L four and 3.3L V6 of the 1998–2004 D22, the 2.5L four and 4.0L VQ40DE V6 of the long-running 2005–2019 D40, and the direct-injection 3.8L VQ38DD that arrived for 2020 and carried over into the 2022-on D41.
The table below lists what was offered when. The 2020 and 2021 trucks are the old body with the new engine, so for those years we confirm from the VIN before quoting.
| Engine | Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2.4L four-cylinder | Code: KA24DE | All years. |
| 3.3L V6 | Code: VG33E | 1999–2004; rated higher from 2003. |
| 3.3L supercharged V6 | Code: VG33ER | Supercharged and Desert Runner trims, 2001–2004. |
| Engine | Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5L four-cylinder | Code: QR25DE | 2005–2019, King Cab 4x2 only. |
| 4.0L V6 | Code: VQ40DE | 2005–2019. Revised timing-chain parts from around 2011. |
| 3.8L direct-injection V6 | Code: VQ38DD | 2020–2021, with the nine-speed automatic only. |
| Engine | Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 3.8L direct-injection V6 | Code: VQ38DD | The only engine. |
Not sure which one is yours? Request a quote and we’ll work it out from your VIN.
Before You Order
What to check before you order
Which 3.3L
The D22’s V6 came naturally aspirated and, from 2001, supercharged on the Supercharged and Desert Runner trucks. The VG33ER is its own engine, so tell us which yours has.
Four or six cylinders in the D40
From 2005 to 2019 the 2.5L four was sold only in the King Cab 4x2; the rest have the 4.0L V6. Tell us the engine as well as the year.
2020 and 2021 are crossover years
These trucks kept the D40 body but took the new 3.8L VQ38DD. The 4.0L from a 2019 truck is a different engine, and the VIN is the quickest way to be sure which you have.
Have your VIN ready
With the VIN we can confirm the engine, model year and body before we quote, which avoids ordering the wrong version.
Common Problems
Common Frontier engine problems
Timing-chain tensioner wear — 4.0L VQ40DE, 2005–2010
The primary tensioner and guide and the secondary tensioner shoes wear early. The owner hears a whine or buzz from the front of the engine, typically at 80,000–120,000 miles, and if it is ignored the chain itself is damaged. Nissan revised the parts around 2011. There was no recall; a class action over 2005–2010 VQ40DE trucks ended in a settlement for California and Washington owners only, with claims closed in 2018.
Stalling and shift faults from the radiator — 2005–2010 automatics
A cracked transmission-cooler tube inside the radiator lets coolant into the automatic. The first signs are harsh or slow shifts and shudder, but the contaminated fluid can also fault the transmission control module and stall the truck, which gets blamed on the engine. It is a radiator fault, not an engine fault — see our Frontier transmissions page.
3.8L VQ38DD — 2020 on
We have not found a documented failure pattern for the direct-injection 3.8L. It serves both the 2020–2021 D40 and the 2022-on D41, and we match it by model year.
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Related
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FAQ
Frontier engine questions, answered
Which engine does my Frontier have?
For 1998–2004 it is the 2.4L four or the 3.3L V6, supercharged on some 2001–2004 trucks; for 2005–2019 the 2.5L four in King Cab 4x2s or the 4.0L V6 in the rest; and from 2020 the 3.8L V6 only. Send us the VIN and we will confirm.
Is the timing-chain noise on my 4.0L covered by a recall?
No. There was never a recall for the VQ40DE tensioners. A class action settled for California and Washington owners only, and its claim period closed in 2018. Nissan revised the parts around 2011.
Does the 2020 Frontier have the same engine as the 2022?
Both have the 3.8L VQ38DD, but the 2020–2021 trucks are the old D40 body with the new engine and the 2022-on D41 is a new truck. We match by model year and VIN.
Is the engine covered by a warranty?
Yes. Every engine we sell is covered by warranty, and extended cover is available at extra cost. The full terms are in our Warranty Policy.
Ready to replace your Frontier engine?
Tell us the year and have your VIN to hand — a specialist will confirm the right unit and send you a quote.
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