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Nissan Maxima: VQ35DE oil consumption and timing-chain rattle (J31 & J32)

VQ35DE oil consumption and timing-chain rattle (J31 & J32) is a common engine fault on the Nissan Maxima on the 2003–2014 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $2,000 to $4,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 12 documented faults on the Nissan Maxima.

Vehicle
Nissan Maxima
Engine
VQ35-DE
Years
2003–2014
Fuel
petrol
System
Engine

This page covers the Nissan Maxima as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Nissan Maxima faults12 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

The front of a dual overhead camshaft engine with the timing cover removed, exposing the timing chain and sprockets.Example of the part — not this vehicle

The front of a twin-cam engine with the timing cover off — chain, sprockets and guides.

Logansenf · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

What goes wrong

The J31 and J32 Maxima's VQ35DE V6 is tough but shares the VQ family's two ageing traits: rising oil consumption (some engines use a litre every 1,000-2,500 km) and, at higher mileage, timing-chain and VTC-actuator rattle from worn guides and tensioners. Oil starvation from unchecked consumption accelerates the chain wear, so the two feed each other. A well-maintained VQ lasts a long time; a neglected one rattles and burns oil.

What you would notice

  • Oil level dropping between services
  • Rattle from the front of the engine on cold start
  • Blue haze on hard acceleration
  • Check-engine light with timing/VTC codes

How to check it

Where to look. VQ35DE V6 - pistons/rings, and timing chains/VTC actuators at the front of the engine

Check oil level and colour; ask how much it uses per 1,000 km. Cold-start and listen for a chain/VTC rattle in the first seconds. Watch for blue smoke on a throttle blip. Prioritise a car with oil-change receipts.

Parts involved: Timing chain.

What it costs to put right

$2,000 to $4,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

  • “How much oil does it use between services?”
  • “Has the timing chain or VTC actuators been done?”
  • “Does it rattle on cold start?”

Now check the Nissan Maxima you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in the sources below. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them.

  • Nissan Forums (nicoclub) 'VQ35 maintenance & reliability' thread
  • VehicleFreak 'VQ35DE common problems' (oil use, timing chain)

Nissan Maxima buyer questions

Is vq35de oil consumption and timing-chain rattle (j31 & j32) serious on a Nissan Maxima?

We rate it major and common on the Nissan Maxima. The J31 and J32 Maxima's VQ35DE V6 is tough but shares the VQ family's two ageing traits: rising oil consumption (some engines use a litre every 1,000-2,500 km) and, at higher mileage, timing-chain and VTC-actuator rattle from worn guides and tensioners. Oil starvation from unchecked consumption accelerates the chain wear, so the two feed each other. A well-maintained VQ lasts a long time; a neglected one rattles and burns oil.

How much does it cost to fix on a Nissan Maxima?

$2,000 to $4,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Nissan Maxima years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2003–2014 Nissan Maxima. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.

How do I check for it before I buy?

Check oil level and colour; ask how much it uses per 1,000 km. Cold-start and listen for a chain/VTC rattle in the first seconds. Watch for blue smoke on a throttle blip. Prioritise a car with oil-change receipts. Look here: VQ35DE V6 - pistons/rings, and timing chains/VTC actuators at the front of the engine