Nissan Prairie/Liberty engines

The Nissan Prairie / Liberty is a Japanese minivan car manufactured by Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. from 1982 to 2004. In total, 3 generations of the model were released. The 7-seater minivan has become the world’s first car in its class with sliding rear doors and flexible seats. In Canada, the car was sold under the name Multi, and in the USA as Stanza Wagon. In the 2nd generation for the North American market, the model was renamed Axxess. In the 3rd generation, since 1998, the car has acquired a new designation – Liberty.

The Nissan Prairie/Liberty was offered with 7 engines between 1982 and 2004 (7 petrol). Displacement ranges from 1.8 to 2.4 liters, power output from 82 to 250 hp. 3 use a timing chain and 2 a timing belt. 2 are turbocharged. The longest rated lifespan belongs to the Nissan SR20DE (about 400,000 km).

Nissan Prairie/Liberty engines by generation

EngineYearsVolumePowerFuelTimingOilLifespan
Nissan Prairie M10 1982–1988
Nissan CA201982–19882.0 L R482–110 hppetrolbelt
Nissan CA181985–19881.8 L R491–175 hppetrol, NA / turbobelt
Nissan Prairie M11 1988–1998
Nissan SR20DE1988–19982.0 L R4130–165 hppetrolchain4 L~400,000 km
Nissan KA24E1988–19982.4 L R4115–140 hppetrolchain4.3 L~375,000 km
Nissan Liberty M12 1998–2000
Nissan SR20DET1998–20002.0 L R4200–250 hppetrol, turbochain3.7 L~300,000 km
Nissan Prairie 3 (M12) 2001–2004
Nissan QR20DE2001–20042.0 L147 hppetrol3.9 L~300,000 km
Other Nissan Prairie/Liberty engines generation not specified
Nissan KA24DE1988–20042.4 L140–155 hppetrol4.1 L~350,000 km

Nissan Prairie/Liberty engine FAQ

What engines were used in the Nissan Prairie/Liberty?

Nissan Prairie M10 (1982–1988): Nissan CA20 and Nissan CA18; Nissan Prairie M11 (1988–1998): Nissan SR20DE and Nissan KA24E; Nissan Liberty M12 (1998–2000): Nissan SR20DET; Nissan Prairie 3 (M12) (2001–2004): Nissan QR20DE.

Which Nissan Prairie/Liberty engine is the most durable?

By rated service life the most durable Nissan Prairie/Liberty engines are: Nissan SR20DE — about 400,000 km; Nissan KA24E — about 375,000 km; Nissan KA24DE — about 350,000 km. Actual lifespan depends heavily on maintenance and oil change intervals.

How much oil does the Nissan Prairie/Liberty engine take?

Engine oil capacity with filter: Nissan KA24DE — 4.1 L (5W-30 / 5W-40 / 10W-30 / 10W-40); Nissan KA24E — 4.3 L (5W-30); Nissan QR20DE — 3.9 L (0W-30 / 5W-20 / 5W-30 / 5W-40 / 10W-30 / 10W-40 / 10W-60 / 15W-40 / 20W-20); Nissan SR20DE — 4 L (5W-30, 5W-40); Nissan SR20DET — 3.7 L (5W-30).

Does the Nissan Prairie/Liberty have a timing belt or chain?

Timing chain: Nissan KA24E, Nissan SR20DE and Nissan SR20DET; timing belt: Nissan CA18 and Nissan CA20. Belts must be replaced on schedule: on many engines a broken belt bends the valves.

Was the Nissan Prairie/Liberty available with a diesel engine?

No, all Nissan Prairie/Liberty engines in our database run on petrol.

Engine details

Nissan CA18

Nissan CA18

1981–1994 · 1.8 L R4 · petrol · 91–175 hp · belt

The timing belt must be replaced on schedule, its failure means an expensive repair.

Nissan CA20

Nissan CA20

1981–1991 · 2.0 L R4 · petrol · 82–110 hp · belt

Nissan KA24E

Nissan KA24E

1988–1999 · 2.4 L R4 · petrol · 115–140 hp · chain

Most often, owners complain about very high fuel consumption or oil consumption.

Nissan SR20DE

Nissan SR20DE

1989–2002 · 2.0 L R4 · petrol · 130–165 hp · chain

This is a fairly reliable power unit without any pronounced weaknesses. On the forums, they regularly complain only about floating speed due…

Nissan SR20DET

Nissan SR20DET

1989–2001 · 2.0 L R4 · petrol · 200–250 hp · chain

If you do not save on oil, this motor quietly drives more than 300 - 350 thousand km.

Nissan QR20DE

Nissan QR20DE

2000–2012 · 2.0 L · petrol · 147 hp

Until 2004, power units were constantly flooded with candles during cold starts, the catalyst was destroyed from excess fuel, and its crumbs…

Models with the same engines

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