While Nissan is considering taking a gap year for its Maxima in 2024, you can still buy the eighth-generation vehicle new. Altima sales dropped heavily in 2022 and 2023 but before that, the model sold up to 60,000 cars a year. And the only engine you can get it now with is the 3.5L V6 – the legendary VQ35DE engine that’s hard to compare with any other V6 on the market.
Today, I will tell you about the 3.5L V6 engine option in the new Nissan Maxima and will outline its common problems, main advantages, and specs. You will see if the engine is still worth buying.
If you really like the V6 legend from Nissan, it’s now time to run to one of the dealerships. At the moment, you can’t get the Maxima in most Nissan showrooms around the country, only several cars are still available for your order. This is probably the last chance to get the VQ35DE engine new.
Key features of the 3.5L V6 in the Nissan Maxima
So, the engine that is installed in the new Maxima is the legendary and arguably the best Nissan V6 engine codenamed VQ35DE and it has been manufactured since 2000! For over two decades, the bulletproof engine came through several minor modifications. The engineering is pretty simple and reliable and it allows the engine to still be demanded.
Interestingly, this engine was installed in almost all popular models offered by Nissan in Infiniti in major markets for this brand. Also, Renault vehicles used it in Europe. I counted over 40 models that were equipped with the VQ35DE engine!
Here are some features you may want to know about it:
- this is the V6 engine with 3.5 liters of displacement offering you 300 horsepower and 261 lb-ft of torque;
- the engine is naturally aspirated, there is no turbo and the power seems to be pretty limited for this displacement (good for durability);
- intake valves are equipped with Nissan phasers (CVTCS), but there are no hydraulic lifters, so you will need to adjust valves once every 30-40 thousand miles;
- the simple injection system (port injection) doesn’t form any carbon buildup on valves;
- the engine cylinder block and head are both made of aluminum, but its parts have different coatings for long service;
- the only available option for the transmission is the CVT – not really good and long-lasting, but you have no choice;
- the Maxima equipped with the V6 engine offers 20 MPG in the city and up to 30 MPG on highways.
I believe the fuel consumption ratings are too optimistic and you will see much worse figures on the screen of your trip computer in real life. This engine gives you access to full power at high RPM but at this range of RPM, it will drink the fuel like crazy. So if you like active driving, be ready to pay for that at the gas station.
Monstrous fuel consumption when driving actively is basically the only bad thing I can say now about the engine. It goes smoothly and well, offers a lot of available power and torque, and sounds just like a good V6 should sound. This is a good old V6 engine with no excessive technologies and with simple and reliable construction.
How long will the 3.5L V6 engine last in the new Maxima?
Well, when it comes to durability, you will see figures that you will never see again in my blog. I suppose the Maxima 3.5L V6 engine can last up to 270,000 miles and even more than that without any expensive and complicated repairs. This is huge!
There is just nothing that can break down earlier than that. Of course, if you want to get the engine to that huge mileage, you will need to remember about regular maintenance and also consider some of the common problems that may kill your V6 prematurely.
What causes some bad emotions is CVT. People often ask me if the CVT in the new Maximas will have those famous transmission issues that many other Nissan cars have. The answer is yes – this CVT will obviously fail much earlier than the engine and will need replacement, not just repair.
I believe, between 100,000 and 130,000 miles, you will have to replace the CVT. When the second CVT fails, you will need to consider if the car is still worth investing a lot of money in and then make the decision.
But, in my opinion, this engine can last as long as three new CVTs and it makes it unclear why Nissan wouldn’t use just a simple torque-converter automatic transmission in these vehicles making it just unbreakable. The question is open but I have no hope that someone from Nissan will read this and answer.
What are the common issues with the 3.5L V6 in the Maxima?
So, the most unpleasant part of the article is here and if you just bought your new Maxima, please get ready to hear some bad things. I know that may hurt, but you need to know what to expect and, the most important thing, how to prevent and solve those common issues.
First of all, I will tell you that finding some common problems in these powerplants was not the easiest of tasks. I was digging through pro forums, speaking to mechanics in dealerships, chasing Maxima owners, and still couldn’t find enough data about the issues.
But here’s what I could find:
1. Crazy oil consumption
Even when new, these engines will consume some oil. But weak valve seals will promote this problem to disastrous oil consumption at about 100,000 miles. The best thing you can do is to change the valve seals. Sometimes, piston rings will also need to be replaced but it’s quite expensive to do due to a lot of work in these engines.
Also, the huge oil consumption may lead to low oil levels. And this situation is unacceptable for the 3.5L V6 – you should control oil levels and top up some oil when needed. Better always keep the oil at the top level to avoid issues.
2. Oil leaks that get worse after some time
Leaking oil is also a common thing for all 3.5L V6 engines in the Maxima. One of the main reasons is the gasket of oil lines that are located under the front cover. You won’t believe it, but these gaskets are made of cardboard and will need replacement about every 40-50 thousand miles. Otherwise, they will leak heavily and there will be a high risk of low oil levels in the engine.
But there are plenty of other reasons for leaks and this is not only about engine oil. Antifreeze may be leaking due to faulty seals or gaskets.
3. Poor cooling for the last cylinders
Cylinders 5 and 6 don’t get proper cooling. Although Nissan tried to address this problem several times, many new VQ35DE engines still have this issue. Cylinders 5 and 6 overheat and this leads to other issues like worn-out gaskets and seals. This may lead to internal oil leaks and even worse oil consumption plus black smoke from the tailpipe.
There are ways to solve this problem and I hope I will have the opportunity to write a separate article about these upgrades. Please write in comments if you are interested.
4. Timing chain issues
There is a single timing chain in this engine and Nissan says it should be OK to work as long as the engine can work. But the reality is worse. It will stretch fatally and may jump or even break at about 140,000 miles. I would recommend replacing it at 120,000 miles or once it starts rattling (which is sometimes hard to hear).
If the timing chain breaks, this engine will most likely have bent valves and maybe some additional issues with the heads.
5. Cooling system issues
The cooling fan may unexpectedly fail at about 100,000 miles and needs replacement. If you don’t notice the problem, the engine may overheat when you move slowly in a traffic jam or crawl up a hill. Overheating will obviously shorten the life of the engine, so always keep an eye on the engine temperature gauge and avoid even slight overheating.
Ways to prevent issues and use the engine longer
In the last part of the article, I want to tell you what exactly you can do to prolong the life of the 3.5L V6 engine and enjoy the best experience driving the Maxima for many years and miles.
It’s not that hard, here’s what you should do:
- oil and filters should be changed every 10K miles, better buy OEM fluids and parts;
- check oil levels frequently to avoid low levels;
- address any leaks that you locate immediately;
- never ignore engine rattling and have the chain checked as soon as possible;
- replace the timing chain at 120K miles to avoid its breaking or jumping;
- have the valves adjusted every 30-40 thousand miles;
- better replace spark plugs about every 20,000 miles to avoid engine misfiring;
- pay attention to the health of the catalytic converter after about 120,000 miles.
If you follow these service and maintenance tips, you will make sure you get the most out of this engine. I’m almost sure that this V6 engine is one of the most durable and best engines you can buy today on the market. It really has few common problems and is always ready for any kind of driving.
Just know that the gas mileage will not be really great and some minor issues will still make you go to the dealership or repair shops now and then.