Vehicle lookup
What Engine Is In My Car?
You have a car, not an engine code. These pages go from one to the other. By generation and trim, which is where most engine orders go wrong.
Why the model year on its own is not enough
On most of the vehicles below, the model year narrows the engine to two possibilities rather than one. The thing that settles it is the trim, and it is the field people most often leave out of a request, because it does not feel like engine information.
The clearest example is the Civic. A 2008 Civic is an R18A1 in LX or EX trim and a K20Z3 in Si trim. Different displacement, different valvetrain, different transmission. An order placed on “2008 Honda Civic” is a coin flip, and an engine that arrives from the wrong side of that flip cannot be adapted to fit.
Honda
- Honda CivicThe Civic spans three engine families across the generations people still replace engines in, and the trim decides which one.
- Honda AccordFour-cylinder and V6 Accords use entirely different engines, and the generation decides which K-series or J-series variant.
- Honda CR-VEvery modern CR-V is a K24, but which K24 changes by generation, and the earlier B20 generation is a different engine entirely.
- Honda OdysseyEvery Odyssey since 1999 is a J35, and high mileage plus a timing belt makes this the classic repair-or-replace decision in Phoenix.
- Honda PilotThe Pilot is Honda's three-row SUV, using the J35 V6 across all generations, with the timing belt and cylinder deactivation the key items to address during replacement.
- Honda ElementThe Element shared the K24 four-cylinder with the CR-V and Accord, but the body-mounted fenders and unique wiring make this a straightforward K24 job with model-specific parts to transfer.
- Honda RidgelineThe Ridgeline used the J35 V6 from 2006 to 2014 and then switched to the J35Y with direct injection, making the generation the deciding factor for which engine you need.
Acura
- Acura TSXThe TSX carries the most sought-after K24 variant, which makes both buying one and buying for one more complicated than it looks.
- Acura TLThe TL used the J32 V6 through the third generation and the J37 in the fourth, with the Type-S carrying the higher-output version of each.
- Acura RDXThe first-generation RDX used a turbocharged K23, but from 2013 onward it moved to the J35 V6, making the generation critical for correct engine identification.
- Acura TLXThe TLX launched with a 2.4-litre K24 four-cylinder and added a 3.5-litre J35 V6, with the direct-injection K24 making it the first application of that technology in an Acura sedan.
Toyota
- Toyota CamryFour-cylinder Camrys from 2002 to 2011 are 2AZ-FE: an engine with two known failure modes worth understanding before you buy a used one.
- Toyota RAV4RAV4s through 2008 share the Camry’s 2AZ-FE, with an all-wheel-drive variable the Camry does not have.
- Toyota CorollaThe Corolla has used several four-cylinder engines across its generations, with the 1ZZ-FE and 2ZR-FE being the most common replacement candidates in Phoenix.
- Toyota HighlanderThe Highlander has been available with both four-cylinder and V6 engines, with the 2AZ-FE four-cylinder and the 1MZ-FE or 2GR-FE V6 depending on the generation.
- Toyota SiennaThe Sienna has used the 1MZ-FE and 2GR-FE V6 across its generations, with the timing chain and oil consumption the common replacement triggers in Phoenix.
- Toyota AvalonThe Avalon used the 1MZ-FE and 2GR-FE V6 throughout its production, with the larger displacement making it the most powerful Toyota sedan of its era.
Nissan
- Nissan AltimaFour-cylinder and V6 Altimas use the QR25DE and VQ35DE respectively, and on many of them the transmission deserves checking before the engine.
- Nissan MuranoEvery Murano is a VQ35DE, which makes the engine easy to identify and the transmission the thing to check.
- Nissan MaximaThe Maxima has used the VQ30DE and VQ35DE V6 engines, with the CVT transmission being the critical variable that affects whether an engine replacement makes sense.
- Nissan SentraThe Sentra used the QR25DE in the SE-R Spec V and the QR18DE/HR16DE in base models, with the SE-R being the most commonly replaced engine in Phoenix.
- Nissan RogueThe Rogue has used the QR25DE four-cylinder across all generations, with the CVT transmission being the primary concern when evaluating whether an engine replacement is the right investment.
- Nissan 350ZThe 350Z used the VQ35DE V6 with a Rev-up higher-output specification in later models, making the exact variant critical for a correct replacement.
- Nissan PathfinderThe Pathfinder shifted from the VQ35DE to the VK56DE V6 across its generations, with the CVT transmission on later models being the key variable in the replacement decision.
Subaru
- Subaru ForesterNaturally aspirated Foresters use the EJ25 and turbocharged XT models the EJ255, and head gaskets are why most owners are reading this.
- Subaru ImprezaWRX and STI models use turbocharged EJ variants that differ from each other and from the naturally aspirated cars.
- Subaru OutbackThe Outback used the EJ25 through most of its production, with the FB25 replacing it from 2013 onward, and head gaskets being the dominant reason owners investigate replacement.
- Subaru LegacyThe Legacy used the EJ25 and turbocharged EJ255 across its production, with the turbo models being the more common replacement candidates in Phoenix due to higher stress on internal components.
Next steps
- EnginesEvery engine family covered here, by manufacturer.
- How to Find Your Engine CodeWhere the code is stamped on each family, and why one location does not fit all.
- Repair or Replace Your EngineWhether to spend anything at all, before deciding what to spend it on.
- Engine InstallationWhat installation involves in Phoenix, and how to choose a shop.
Find the right engine for your vehicle
Tell us the year, model and trim. We identify the engine your vehicle takes and come back with current availability and pricing.