Used Nissan Maxima Engines
Used, remanufactured and rebuilt engines for the 1982–2023 Nissan Maxima — tested before they ship and covered by warranty. Tell us your car and we’ll match the exact engine.
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Engine Options
Which engine does your Maxima have?
The 1982–1984 Maxima was a rear-wheel-drive sedan and wagon with a 2.4L L24E inline-six, or a 2.8L LD28 diesel six in 1982–1983. From 1985 the Maxima was front-wheel drive with a V6: the 3.0L VG30E to 1994, joined by the twin-cam VE30DE on the 1992–1994 SE, then Nissan’s VQ family — the 3.0L VQ30DE from 1995 and the 3.5L VQ35DE from 2002 to the end of production in 2023.
The VQ35DE was revised for each new generation, rising from 255 hp in 2002 to 300 hp in the 2016–2023 car, so the code alone does not identify the engine. The table below lists what was offered when, and we confirm the generation from your VIN before quoting.
| Engine | Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2.4L inline-six, fuel-injected | Code: L24E | Gasoline. Sedan and wagon. |
| 2.8L inline-six diesel | Code: LD28 | 1982–1983. |
| Engine | Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 3.0L V6, single overhead cam | Code: VG30E | Sedan and wagon. |
| Engine | Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 3.0L V6, single overhead cam | Code: VG30E | GXE throughout, and the SE in 1989–1991. 160 hp. |
| 3.0L V6, twin overhead cam | Code: VE30DE | SE, 1992–1994. 190 hp. |
| Engine | Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 3.0L V6 | Code: VQ30DE | GXE, SE and GLE. 190 hp. |
| Engine | Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 3.0L V6 | Code: VQ30DE-K | 2000–2001, all trims. |
| 3.5L V6 | Code: VQ35DE | 2002–2003, all trims. 255 hp. |
| Engine | Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 3.5L V6 | Code: VQ35DE | All trims. |
| Engine | Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 3.5L V6 | Code: VQ35DE | All trims. 290 hp. |
| Engine | Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 3.5L V6 | Code: VQ35DE | All trims. 300 hp. Production ended in 2023. |
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
Rear-wheel drive or front-wheel drive
The 1982–1984 Maxima is rear-wheel drive with a straight-six. Every Maxima from 1985 on is front-wheel drive with a V6, so nothing from a later car fits an early one.
Single cam or twin cam — 1989–1994
The GXE kept the single-cam VG30E all the way through, as did the SE until 1991. The 1992–1994 SE has the twin-cam VE30DE, a different engine. The model year and trim tell us which yours needs.
Two 3.0L VQs, then the 3.5L
The 1995–1999 cars have the VQ30DE and the 2000–2001 cars the VQ30DE-K, a different version. For 2002 the 3.5L VQ35DE took over in the same body as the 2000–2001 car.
Which VQ35DE
Nissan revised the VQ35DE for each Maxima generation, and its output went from 255 hp to 300 hp under one code. Match the engine to your car’s generation: 2002–2003, 2004–2008, 2009–2014 or 2016–2023.
No 2015 Maxima
Nissan skipped the 2015 model year. A car bought in 2015 is a 2014 A35 or a 2016 A36, and they use different versions of the engine.
Engines shared with other Nissans
The VG30E also went into the 300ZX, pickup and Pathfinder, mounted lengthwise for rear-wheel drive, and the VQ35DE into the Altima, Murano and Pathfinder, each in its own version. An engine from another model is not a straight swap.
Rule out the CVT — 2007–2023
Every Maxima from 2007 on has a CVT, and shudder, hesitation or a loss of drive on these cars is a common transmission fault rather than an engine one. Get the CVT diagnosed before you pay for an engine.
Have your VIN ready
Your VIN gives us the model year, generation and engine, so we can confirm which version your Maxima needs before we quote.
Common Problems
Common Maxima engine problems
Timing-chain guide and tensioner wear — 3.5L, 2002–2006
Worn chain guides and tensioner shoes on the 3.5L make a whine or buzz from the front of the engine. Caught early, the guides and tensioners can be replaced; ignored, the wear spreads to the chain and can end in engine damage.
Timing-belt failure — 3.0L VG30E and VE30DE, 1985–1994
Unlike the later VQ engines, which use chains, the 1985–1994 V6s drive their camshafts with a rubber timing belt. A belt left past its replacement interval can break or jump teeth, and the engine stops running. Ask when the belt was last changed, and fit a new one with any replacement engine.
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Related
More for the Nissan Maxima
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FAQ
Maxima engine questions, answered
Which engine does my Maxima have?
A 1982–1984 car has the 2.4L L24E six, or the 2.8L LD28 diesel in 1982–1983. After that: the 3.0L VG30E for 1985–1994, with the VE30DE on the 1992–1994 SE; the 3.0L VQ30DE for 1995–1999 and the VQ30DE-K for 2000–2001; and the 3.5L VQ35DE from 2002 to 2023, in a different version for each generation. Send us your VIN and we will confirm which.
Do you supply engines for the 1982–1984 Datsun Maxima?
Yes. These cars were sold as the Datsun Maxima, with Nissan badges added for 1984, and we quote their L24E and LD28 engines like any other Maxima engine. Send us the VIN and we will confirm which one your car has.
Will a VQ35DE from an Altima or Murano fit my Maxima?
The engine was shared, but each model and generation has its own version — the Maxima alone went from 255 hp to 300 hp under the same code. Your VIN tells us which Maxima version you need, and whether another car’s engine matches it.
My 2002–2006 Maxima whines from the timing chain. Do I need a new engine?
Not necessarily. Tensioner and guide wear is the usual cause and can be repaired if the chain has not been damaged. Have it inspected first; if the engine has been run with a damaged chain, send us the VIN and we will quote.
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 Maxima 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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