Nissan VQ 3.5L V6 engines (VQ35DE, VQ35HR) engines by year

By CarWhere Research · Updated

VQ35 is Nissan's 3.5-liter VQ-series V6. The VQ35DE powered the 2003–2006 350Z, the Murano, Pathfinder, Quest, Altima 3.5 and Maxima at 240–300 hp. The VQ35HR, with about 80% new major parts and a 7,500 rpm rev limit, made 306 hp in the 2007–2009 350Z and powered the Infiniti G35 sedan.

Both engines are 3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve V6s from Nissan's VQ series. The VQ35DE came first: Nissan names it in the 2003 Pathfinder and 350Z, and its spec sheets list it through the 2023 Maxima and 2024 Murano, with outputs from 240 to 300 hp depending on the vehicle.

The VQ35HR, announced in 2006 and built at Nissan's Iwaki plant, was a near-redesign aimed at higher revs. Nissan says about 80% of its major parts are new, including a taller ladder-frame block, larger crank journals, eCVTCS variable exhaust cam timing and a 10.6:1 compression ratio. In the 350Z it raised output to 306 hp and 268 lb-ft. In the Infiniti G its successor was the 3.7-liter VQ37VHR, first used in the 2008 G37 Coupe, and the Pathfinder moved to the direct-injected VQ35DD for 2017.

VQ 3.5L V6 engines (VQ35DE, VQ35HR) generations compared

VQ 3.5L V6 engines (VQ35DE, VQ35HR) generations: model years, peak Nissan-published output and documented problems
EngineModel yearsPeak hpPeak torque (lb-ft)Documented problemsRecalls
3.5L VQ V6 (VQ35DE)2003–2008 · 2012–202330027411
3.5L VQ V6 (VQ35HR)2007–2009 · 2007–200830626800

3.5L VQ V6 (VQ35DE)

The VQ35DE is Nissan's 3,498 cc DOHC 24-valve aluminum V6. Nissan rated it at 287 hp in the 2003 350Z and 240 hp in the 2003 Pathfinder, and it later powered the Murano, Quest and Altima 3.5 at 260–270 hp. Its final US application, the 2018–2023 Maxima, made 300 hp and 261 lb-ft.

3.5L VQ V6 (VQ35DE) specs, problems and recalls

3.5L VQ V6 (VQ35HR)

The VQ35HR is the redesigned 3.5-liter VQ V6 that Nissan put in every 2007 350Z, rated at 306 hp and 268 lb-ft. Nissan says about 80% of its major parts are new versus the VQ35DE, with a taller ladder-frame block, a 7,500 rpm rev limit and 10.6:1 compression. HR stands for high revolution and high response.

3.5L VQ V6 (VQ35HR) specs, problems and recalls

Related Nissan research

Confirm which VQ 3.5L V6 engines (VQ35DE, VQ35HR) a car was built with.

The engine and transmission are part of the factory build record for the VIN. The CarWhere Nissan build sheet reconstructs factory colors, options and packages from licensed VIN-level build data — availability is checked free, and it is $9.99 only when detailed build data is found for that VIN.

Nissan build sheet by VIN

Frequently asked questions

Has the VQ35 had engine recalls?

Nissan used the VQ35DE for two decades, from the 2003 350Z to the 2023 Maxima. The main engine-bay recall on a VQ35DE vehicle is 09V169, for intake air ducts that can separate on 2003–2007 Muranos, which dealers repair free of charge.

VQ35DE vs VQ35HR: which is more powerful?

In the 350Z, the VQ35HR. It makes 306 hp and 268 lb-ft, against 287 hp and 274 lb-ft for the 2003–2005 VQ35DE and 300 hp for the 2006 manual car.

How can I tell which VQ35 a 350Z has?

By model year. Nissan fitted the VQ35DE to 2003–2006 350Zs and the VQ35HR to every 2007–2008 350Z and the 2009 Roadster.

What replaced the VQ35?

In the Infiniti G, the 3.7-liter VQ37VHR, first used in the 2008 G37 Coupe; EPA lists the Nissan 370Z from 2009. In the Pathfinder, the direct-injected VQ35DD from 2017. Nissan's VR-series 3.0-liter twin-turbo (VR30DDTT) now powers the Z.

Sources

Figures come from the individual engine pages, each of which cites Nissan-published ratings and NHTSA records as listed below.

  1. 2003 Nissan 350Z Press Kit — Nissan USA Newsroom (usa.nissannews.com)
  2. 2003 Nissan Pathfinder Press Kit — Nissan USA Newsroom (usa.nissannews.com)
  3. 2004 Nissan Maxima Press Kit — Nissan USA Newsroom (usa.nissannews.com)
  4. 2005 Nissan 350Z Coupe Press Kit — Nissan USA Newsroom (usa.nissannews.com)
  5. 2005 Nissan Murano Press Kit — Nissan USA Newsroom (usa.nissannews.com)
  6. 2006 Nissan 350Z Coupe and Roadster Press Kit — Nissan USA Newsroom (usa.nissannews.com)
  7. 2006 Nissan Maxima Continues Its Six-Generation Legacy of Superior Performance — Nissan USA Newsroom (usa.nissannews.com)
  8. 2007 Nissan Murano Crossover SUV offers Performance and Economy with 3.5-liter V6, CVT Transmission — Nissan USA Newsroom (usa.nissannews.com)
  9. Recall 09V169: INTAKE AIR DUCTS/RESONATOR — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
  10. 2012 Nissan Murano Specifications — Nissan USA Newsroom (usa.nissannews.com)
  11. 2012 Nissan Maxima Specifications — Nissan USA Newsroom (usa.nissannews.com)
  12. 2013 Nissan Pathfinder Specifications — Nissan USA Newsroom (usa.nissannews.com)
  13. 2014 Nissan Murano Specifications — Nissan USA Newsroom (usa.nissannews.com)
  14. 2014 Nissan Quest Specifications — Nissan USA Newsroom (usa.nissannews.com)
  15. 2016 Nissan Pathfinder Specifications — Nissan USA Newsroom (usa.nissannews.com)
  16. 2016 Nissan Altima Specifications — Nissan USA Newsroom (usa.nissannews.com)
  17. 2017 Nissan Quest Specifications — Nissan USA Newsroom (usa.nissannews.com)
  18. 2018 Nissan Maxima Specifications — Nissan USA Newsroom (usa.nissannews.com)
  19. 2020 Nissan Murano Specifications — Nissan USA Newsroom (usa.nissannews.com)
  20. 2023 Nissan Maxima Specifications — Nissan USA Newsroom (usa.nissannews.com)
  21. 2024 Nissan Murano Specifications — Nissan USA Newsroom (usa.nissannews.com)
  22. 2017 Nissan Pathfinder Specifications — Nissan USA Newsroom (usa.nissannews.com)
  23. 2023 Nissan Maxima: engine and transmission options — U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  24. 2024 Nissan Maxima: engine and transmission options — U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  25. 2007 Nissan Z Receives 306 Horsepower Next-Generation 3.5-liter V6, Other Refinements — Nissan USA Newsroom (usa.nissannews.com)
  26. 2008 Nissan 350Z Press Kit — Nissan USA Newsroom (usa.nissannews.com)
  27. 2009 Nissan 350Z Roadster Press Kit — Nissan USA Newsroom (usa.nissannews.com)
  28. 2007 Nissan 350Z Coupe and Roadster Press Kit — Nissan USA Newsroom (usa.nissannews.com)
  29. 2009 Nissan model list (350Z Roadster and 370Z) — U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  30. 2010 Nissan model list (370Z only) — U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  31. Nissan Develops New-Generation V6 Engines (Aug 22, 2006) — Nissan Global Newsroom (global.nissannews.com)
  32. New Nissan V6 Named One of the 10 Best Engines (Dec 12, 2007) — Nissan Global Newsroom (global.nissannews.com)
  33. 2007 Infiniti G35: engine and transmission options — U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov

More Nissan tools

Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by Nissan North America, Inc. or Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.. Nissan and the model names are trademarks of their owners.