2013-2018 Nissan Altima 2.5L Engine (QR25DE): Longevity, Problems, and Specs

Nissan Altima is one of the best-selling Nissan models. This mid-size sedan offers the driver exceptional gas mileage and a comfy ride. The sedan boasts cushy seats and a relaxed driving experience.

The Nissan Altima is equipped with a 2.5L QR25DE engine, amongst others, which makes the car's performance ideal for such a midsize sedan. The Altima has been around for more than 2 decades and in its fifth generation it relied on the very capable QR25DE engine. This engine was also used in three previous generations of the Altima.

Key features and my opinion about the engine

• Production years:2000-now
• Average lifespan of QR25DE:190,000-220,000 miles
• Fuel supply type:port injection
• Power range:150-185 hp
• Fuel efficiency:average
• Engine block material:aluminum
• Engine reliability score:medium
• The most common problems:bad oil consumption, cylinder walls warping, timing chain stretching, engine head gasket failing, lots of minor problems.

Understanding the Nissan Altima engine

The fifth-gen Nissan Altima was quite popular with a 2.5L QR25DE engine. The model number of the engine is QR25DE and has been used for the past 22 years. The engine is touted as being dependable, powerful, and durable. Over the years, the Nissan Altima engine has undergone several upgrades which have seen it become more reliable, efficient, and competitive on the road.

The upgrades done to the Nissan Altima engine ensured it achieved consistency, fuel efficiency, and reliability. These upgrades were also designed to reduce engine emissions to abide by international government requirements.

The manufacturer of the QR25DE engine has upgraded the intake manifold, and the piston shape, and added coatings to the pistons' bearings to reduce friction.

The 2022 Nissan Altima specs

• Inline 4 configuration
• 180 (lb-ft) torque at 3,600 RPM
• Horsepower 175 HP
• A 5:1 to a 10.5:1 compression ratio
• Aluminum engine block and head materials
• A Double Overhead Cam (DOHC) valvetrain design
• Valve timing is variable
• The engine was coupled with the CVT only, no manual was available.

What are the common problems that affect the Nissan Altima 2.5L engine?

Car pundits seem to agree the Nissan Altima 2.5L is reliable and offers the buyer value for money. While the engine has undergone upgrades over the years, there are those engine issues that many Altima owners seem to encounter now and then and which make the 2.5L engine lose a few points.

In 2007, the company analyzed the Altima engine and decided to redesign the engine to help solve most of the issues affecting previous engine versions. Many Nissan Altima lovers expect to enjoy the new Nissan Altima and most of the described issues below have been dealt with. But there are still those issues that affected the 2007 engine version which every potential buyer of the 2013-2018 Nissan Altima should beware of.

1. Oil leaking

As the Altima engine ages, it tends to have oil leaks. These leaks mostly appear in the valve cover gasket. This rubber-type gasket tends to fail when exposed to extreme heat. This issue is experienced mostly in old Nissan Altima engines.

The valve cover gasket which is the culprit in the engine's oil leaks is responsible for sealing a gap found between the cylinder head and the valve cover. The gasket which is built using a rubber-like material is exposed to extreme heat hence wearing out over extended periods. In most cases, the oil leaks are reported in engines that are at least 8 years old or have covered more than 100,000 miles. 

The symptoms of these oil leaks are pretty easy to point out. They include visible leaks, dropping engine oil levels, burning oil smell, and smoke coming from the bay area.

Solution

The right answer to oil leaks caused by a defective valve cover gasket is to replace the gasket. Replacing this gasket which goes for around $20 will cost you between $100 and $200.

2. Intake power valve screws

This issue is caused by the intake power valve screws coming loose and entering the engine thereby damaging the walls of the head cylinder head. The damage will also extend to the catalytic converter. This problem is mainly found in the 2002-2006 engines. In the 2007 upgraded engine, the company redesigned the intake manifold area and this solved the above issue. It is expected the fifth-gen version of the engine has dealt with this issue completely.

The intake power valve screws which are also known as the butterfly screws or the intake manifold screws are used to secure the two-stage manifold and total to 8 screws. Over time, the screws become loose and eventually get sucked into the engine.

The tell-tale signs of this problem include rough idling, a Malfunction Indicator lamp sign, power loss, and engine damage.

Solution

In 2006, Nissan issued a bulletin on this issue and you shouldn't expect to encounter this problem in most 2002-2005 engines. But it is will help to check and confirm whether your engine is likely to be affected. If you notice loose screws, tighten them and apply Loctite on the threads. You can also replace the screws if you are in doubt about the reliability of the ones in place.

3. Exhaust manifold pre-cut material

Nissan designed the 2.5L QR25DE engine to have a pre-catalytic converter placed in the exhaust manifold. This additional catalytic converter which is placed close to the engine allows faster heating hence helping in lowering emissions on cold starts.

The pre-catalytic material has been seen to break down and cause damage to the engine. When the material of the pre-cat disintegrates, some of it is sucked into the engine. This causes damage to the cylinder walls which then means you should notice excessive oil consumption in your car, dirty oil, low compression, or even engine failure. This problem was mostly found in the first generation of the QR25DE engine.

Solution

Nissan issued a bulletin to address this problem. However, this did not solve the problem entirely. Many Altima owners who managed to solve this problem once and for all had to get rid of the pre-cat material or replace the exhaust manifold with an aftermarket one. Some drivers have gone ahead and added a heat shield.

4. Timing chain issues

To try and avoid the issues that come with using timing belts, many modern cars are equipped with timing chains. However, timing chains have the unique problem of worn-down tensioners and guides. This issue causes the chain to jump a few teeth or stretch.

This issue with the timing chain means that the engine will have an overlap of the pistons and the valves. This malfunction at times will cause the pistons and the valves to collide which then causes the valves to bend.

This issue is not predominant in the Altima engine but it has been reported by drivers with not very old cars. If on the other hand, your Altima has covered more than 200K miles, then this can happen due to wearing out of the chain. Some of the symptoms include MIL light, the rattling of the engine, poor engine performance, and the car switching to limp mode.

Solution

Replacing the timing chain, the tensioners, and anything affected is the right solution to this problem. It is wise to check the timing chain regularly because any damage on it can cause more costly damage.

5. How long does the Nissan Altima engine last?

There is little doubt that Nissan has done a fine job with the Altima. The engine of this Nissan model is quite reliable and scores above-average points. The engine installed in the first-generation Nissan Altima had its fair share of issues which forced the company to issue several bulletins. These issues meant the Nissan Altima was almost guaranteed to start developing engine problems when mileage went north of 180,000 miles.

The upgrades done to the engine in 2007 and the 2013 Nissan Altima saw sweeping changes introduced and which made the Nissan Altima more reliable and durable. Other than a few cases here and there, the above issues seem to have been exhaustively dealt with in the fifth-gen Nissan Altima. The modern engine installed in the modern Nissan Altima cover well over 200,000 miles without developing any issues.

Given the many miles the Nissan Altima engine can do, many drivers who use their cars for daily commutes to work and maybe once in a while road trips will find true value in this car. For the drivers who cover tens of thousands of miles every year, it is advisable to bear in mind the likely issues that might dog the Altima once your odometer is well past the 200,000-mile mark.

Unfortunately, this cannot be applied to the CVT which will probably die at 100,000 miles and require the replacement.

Conclusion

Nissan used the 2.5L QR25DE engine on Nissan Altima for about two decades because the engine was really good and reliable. The upgrades conducted on the car have served to make the engine even more efficient and durable. This makes Nissan Altima a very competitive midsized family car that not only exudes cool interior and exterior looks but also gives good value for money.

The most important thing to remember though is that the engine is designed to be serviced regularly. This means that if you don't change the oil after the car has covered so many miles as stated by the manufacturer, the performance of the engine will deteriorate. Regular visual checks also help detect problems early enough. Proper maintenance of your car goes a long way in ensuring that you enjoy your car for many years.