Chassis Code Explained
| Segment | Meaning | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| E25 | Series designation | Fourth-generation Caravan series (Nissan Heritage Model); the digits are Nissan's series code, not a generation count |
| LC-CQGE25, KR-CWGE25 | Full model codes in the sources used | 2005–2007 catalogue codes for the 2WD super-long DX van: LC-CQGE25 with the KA24DE and KR-CWGE25 with the ZD30DDTi |
Nissan does not publish a letter-by-letter breakdown in the sources used. Match the full plate code to a dated catalogue entry.
Editorial notes
Key Takeaways
Dates are Nissan's Japanese sale-start dates. The 2001–2012 label is Nissan's generation label, not an exact build range.
- Sales began 14 May 2001; Nissan labels the generation 2001–2012, and exact build dates are not established.
- Diesel changes by date: ZD30DD at launch, ZD30DDTi turbo from 30 September 2002, common rail with DPF from 31 August 2007.
- Nissan rated the ZD30DDTi at 121 PS in September 2002 and 130 PS net in its 2005–2007 catalogue.
- Petrol KA20DE and KA24DE engines gave way to QR20DE and QR25DE in August 2007, when a 5-speed automatic joined petrol vehicles.
- Recalls 2119 (2008) and 2938 (2012) apply by chassis number, so check the individual van.
- US eligibility is judged on each car's own age, and EPA expects the original-design engine or a certified replacement.
Background
Launch range, May 2001
Nissan's release is dated 25 April 2001 and nationwide Japanese sales began on 14 May 2001; Autech announced its derivatives on 26 April. Grades were DX, GX and VX. Long vans use the KA20DE or ZD30DD and super-long vans the KA24DE or ZD30DD, and the launch 4WD table lists ZD30DD only. The long body is 4,690 mm and the super-long 4,990 mm; Nissan lengthened the nose by 190 mm for a crumple zone inside the 4,700 mm limit of Japan's 4-number class.
Cargo length is 2,800 mm and minimum turning radius 4.9 m (long) or 5.4 m (super-long). The driver's airbag was standard on the VX only, and ABS on the VX and van GX. The release's 2,000-per-month figure is a sales target, not production.
Powertrain changes by date
Nissan added the ZD30DDTi turbo diesel for sale on 30 September 2002: 89 kW (121 PS) at 3,200 rpm and 265 Nm (27.0 kgf·m) from 1,600 to 3,200 rpm, first on 2WD automatics, with 4WD turbos through Autech. The driver's airbag became standard on every van. A 2WD turbo-diesel manual followed on 20 May 2003.
Nissan's December 2005 to August 2007 catalogue lists net ratings: KA20DE 120 PS, KA24DE 140 PS and ZD30DDTi 130 PS at 3,450 rpm. From 31 August 2007 petrol vehicles moved to QR20DE and QR25DE engines with a 5-speed automatic, and the diesel gained common-rail injection, cooled EGR and a DPF. Nissan's catalogue names the later diesel ZD30DDTi; no YD25 application was established.
Passenger Coach and Silkroad
The first Coach was the ten-seat model sold from 20 November 2001: a 2.4-litre petrol (140 PS, 20.6 kgf·m), 4-speed automatic, 2WD only, 4,990 × 1,690 mm with 2-2-3-3 seating. The standard-roof DX came with the GX, which is 295 mm taller. The eight-seat Silkroad followed on 20 May 2003 with Kabron synthetic-leather seats, sliding doors on both sides, a water-repellent luggage floor and a removable second row. Nissan's later web catalogue lists the ten-seat GX (high roof) and DX (standard roof) as 2.5-litre petrol 2WD, super-long and low-floor, with dual air conditioning and driver and passenger airbags. The documented regular Coach is petrol and 2WD.
A documented super-long van, 2005–2007
Nissan's catalogue page for the 2WD super-long DX van gives the codes LC-CQGE25 (KA24DE) and KR-CWGE25 (ZD30DDTi). It is 4,995 mm long and 1,690 mm wide, 1,990 mm tall or 2,285 mm with the high roof, on a 2,715 mm wheelbase with 170 mm of ground clearance. Vehicle weight is 1,860 kg with the KA24DE and 2,050 kg (2,040 kg manual) with the ZD30DDTi. Maximum payload is 1,000 kg or 750 kg for three or six occupants, and the cargo floor is 640 mm above the ground, or 760 mm on flat-floor vans. These figures are for that configuration and differ from the launch length of 4,990 mm.
Super GX, Super DX and conversions
The Super GX special specification went on sale as a commercial van on 13 February 2007, based on the long, standard-roof, low-floor, five-seat GX with a 4-speed automatic; its price examples were ZD30DDTi 2WD and 4WD. It has a woodgrain-effect instrument panel, not wood, a split sliding and reclining second row, armrests, a back-door auto-closer, a rear heater and alloy wheels. Super DX joined the van and the Coach on 31 August 2007, and the tachometer became standard on all. Autech's Rider special specification arrived on 30 September 2002, the same month its Field Base X camper gained a turbo-diesel option. No production counts for these editions were established.
Recalls
Recall 2119 (from 31 May 2008) included front hub bearings deformed by excess bolt tightening and diesel injection-pump return fittings that could leak. Recall 2938 (from 25 May 2012) included front hub-bearing water ingress, a diesel-manual clutch-pedal bracket, a turbo-diesel alternator pulley clutch and DPF mounting. Its 185,130 vehicles are an affected population, not production, and Nissan says a listed chassis range includes vehicles that are not affected. A 2008 hub repair does not show the 2012 recall was done. Check each van's chassis number against both notices.
Oil and fuel
Nissan's FAQ lists replacement quantities as published in the original owner's manuals. Petrol: about 3.3 L (3.6 L with filter) for KA engines and 4.9 L (5.2 L) with 0W-20 for QR engines. Diesel: about 6.4 L (6.9 L) with CF-4 10W-30 for the ZD30DD and early ZD30DDTi, and 8.0 L (8.5 L) with DL-1 5W-30 for the ZD30DDTi from August 2007. Oil may no longer be on sale; Nissan points owners to the maintenance note for intervals. The 2005–2007 catalogue calls for low-sulphur diesel (50 ppm sulphur or less), and the later ZD30DDTi needs ultra-low-sulphur diesel.
Technical Specifications
Figures come from Nissan releases and archived catalogues, each tied to its date. The 2005–2007 catalogue states that its outputs are net; the 2002 release does not state a basis.
Engine Options
-
E25 KA20DE Dec 2005 – Aug 2007 catalogue
KA20DE- Displacement
- 1,998 cc
- Power
- 120 PS (88 kW) @ 5,200 rpm
- Torque
- 171 Nm (17.4 kgf·m) @ 2,800 rpm
- Transmission
- 4AT; 5MT on some configurations
Nissan's December 2005–August 2007 catalogue: DOHC inline-four, 86.0 × 86.0 mm, 9.5:1; net rating; unleaded regular petrol, 65 L tank.
-
E25 KA24DE Dec 2005 – Aug 2007 catalogue
KA24DE- Displacement
- 2,388 cc
- Power
- 140 PS (103 kW) @ 5,600 rpm
- Torque
- 202 Nm (20.6 kgf·m) @ 2,800 rpm
- Transmission
- 4-speed automatic (E-ATx)
Nissan's December 2005–August 2007 catalogue: DOHC inline-four, 89.0 × 96.0 mm, 9.2:1; net rating; unleaded regular petrol, 65 L tank.
-
E25 ZD30DDTi Sep 2002 addition
ZD30DDTi- Displacement
- 3.0 L (nominal)
- Aspiration
- Turbo diesel
- Power
- 121 PS (89 kW) @ 3,200 rpm
- Torque
- 265 Nm (27.0 kgf·m) @ 1,600–3,200 rpm
- Transmission
- 4AT on 2WD vans at first
Nissan's September 2002 launch release: 121 PS; rating basis not stated. Initially 4AT on 2WD vans; 4WD turbo vans supplied through Autech.
-
E25 ZD30DDTi Dec 2005 – Aug 2007 catalogue
ZD30DDTi- Displacement
- 2,953 cc
- Aspiration
- Turbo diesel
- Power
- 130 PS (96 kW) @ 3,450 rpm
- Torque
- 265 Nm (27.0 kgf·m) @ 1,600–3,450 rpm
- Transmission
- 4AT; 5MT on some configurations
Nissan's December 2005–August 2007 catalogue: 130 PS net; 96.0 × 102.0 mm, 17.9:1; low-sulphur diesel (50 ppm sulphur or less), 65 L tank.
Transmission Options
| Type | Availability | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4-speed automatic | Launch range in 2001 and the 2005–2007 catalogue | Nissan calls it an electronically controlled 4-speed automatic; availability depends on engine and body. |
| 5-speed manual | Listed launch and catalogue configurations, and a 2WD turbo-diesel manual from 20 May 2003 | Availability depends on engine and body. |
| 5-speed automatic | Petrol vehicles from the August 2007 revision | The sources used do not assign it to diesel vans. |
Variants & Trims
Commercial van grades and passenger Coach grades are shown separately, each with the date that introduced it.
| Generation | Trim | Engine | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| E25 (fourth generation, Japan) | Launch van DX, GX and VX (May 2001) | KA20DE, KA24DE or ZD30DD | Long (4,690 mm) and super-long (4,990 mm) bodies. Long vans use KA20DE or ZD30DD, super-long vans KA24DE or ZD30DD; the 4WD table lists ZD30DD only. Driver's airbag standard on VX only. |
| E25 (fourth generation, Japan) | Microbus GX (May 2001) | KA24DE or ZD30DD (2WD); ZD30DD (4WD) | Super-long, high-roof, low-floor, 12 seats. |
| E25 (fourth generation, Japan) | Ten-seat Coach DX and GX (20 Nov 2001) | 2.4-litre petrol, 140 PS | 4-speed automatic, 2WD only; 4,990 × 1,690 mm; 2-2-3-3 seating. The GX has a high roof, 295 mm taller than the standard-roof DX. |
| E25 (fourth generation, Japan) | Rider (Autech, 30 Sep 2002) | KA20DE or ZD30DDTi (long-body launch examples); KA24DE or ZD30DDTi (super-long launch examples) | Special specification based on the commercial long van in 2/5-seat configurations, introduced with the September 2002 update. |
| E25 (fourth generation, Japan) | Silkroad (20 May 2003) | KA24DE petrol; launch GX and VX examples are 2WD with a 4-speed automatic | Eight-seat Coach. Kabron synthetic-leather seats, sliding doors on both sides, water-repellent luggage floor, removable second row, long-slide second and third rows. |
| E25 (fourth generation, Japan) | Super-long flat-floor DX (Dec 2005 – Aug 2007 catalogue) | KA24DE (LC-CQGE25) or ZD30DDTi (KR-CWGE25) | 2WD, five doors, 3/6 seats; 4,995 mm long; 1,860 kg (KA24DE) or 2,050 kg (ZD30DDTi, 4AT); maximum payload 1,000 kg or 750 kg. |
| E25 (fourth generation, Japan) | Super GX (13 Feb 2007) | ZD30DDTi in the initial price examples | Commercial van special specification on the long, standard-roof, low-floor, five-seat GX with a 4-speed automatic; the initial price examples list ZD30DDTi 2WD and 4WD. Woodgrain-effect instrument panel, back-door auto-closer, rear heater, alloy wheels. |
| E25 (fourth generation, Japan) | Ten-seat Coach GX and DX (Aug 2007 – Jun 2012 web catalogue) | 2.5-litre petrol, 2WD | Super-long, low-floor. GX has a high roof and a sliding-door auto-closer; DX has a standard roof. Dual air conditioning and driver and passenger airbags on both. |
Should You Buy a Nissan Caravan E25?
Strengths and cautions come from Nissan's releases, catalogues and recall notices, not from failure statistics.
Why You'll Love It
- Dated Nissan catalogues Nissan's launch release, its 2005–2007 archived catalogue and its later web catalogue give dated specifications, so a van can be matched to the right engine and body.
- A wide choice of bodies Nissan lists long and super-long vans, standard and high roofs, low and flat floors, a 12-seat microbus and ten-seat and eight-seat Coaches.
- Documented cargo dimensions The launch long van has a 2,800 mm cargo length, and the low-floor DX has 1,120 mm between the rear wheelhouses, enough for a JIS T11 pallet.
- Diesel 4WD is documented Nissan's launch 4WD table lists ZD30DD, and a turbo 4WD followed through Autech in September 2002.
Why You Might Not
- Specifications changed in 2002 and 2007 Engine, power, oil quantity and emissions equipment differ across the generation, so one set of figures does not fit every van.
- Later diesel emissions equipment The later ZD30DDTi has common rail, cooled EGR and a DPF, and needs ultra-low-sulphur diesel. Recall 2938 includes DPF flange cracks on affected vans.
- Recalls apply by chassis number Recall 2938 includes hub bearings, a diesel-manual clutch bracket, a turbo-diesel alternator pulley and DPF mounting; recall 2119 includes hub bearings and an injection-pump fitting.
- The regular Coach is petrol and 2WD The documented regular ten-seat Coach is petrol with rear-wheel drive; the sources used show no other drivetrain on it.
Who Should NOT Buy This
- Anyone expecting a YD25DDTi: Nissan's Japanese E25 records examined here specify ZD30 engines, and no YD25 application was established.
- Anyone who needs a diesel or 4WD ten-seat Coach: Nissan's documented regular Coach is petrol and 2WD.
- Anyone planning an engine swap before a US import: EPA expects the original-design engine or an EPA-certified replacement.
- Anyone who will not check the chassis number against recalls 2119 and 2938.
Common Issues & Solutions
The items are Nissan recall conditions; they apply by chassis number, not to every van.
| Issue | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Front hub bearing water ingress (recall 2938) | Insufficient seal performance could let water into the front hub bearing, causing noise and, at worst, bearing failure and unstable driving. | Nissan replaces affected bearings with countermeasure parts; check the chassis number against the recall. |
| Hub bearing deformed by bolt tightening (recall 2119) | Excessive tightening of the hub-to-knuckle bolts could deform the bearing and damage it. | Nissan's remedy: check play, replace bearings where required and refit bolts to the correct tightening force. |
| Diesel-manual clutch-pedal bracket (recall 2938) | Insufficient master-cylinder mounting strength could break the bracket, so the clutch no longer disengages. | Nissan replaces the bracket with a countermeasure part on affected diesel manuals. |
| Turbo-diesel alternator pulley clutch (recall 2938) | Lubricant with inadequate heat resistance could damage the pulley clutch and, at worst, let the pulley detach. | Nissan replaces the alternator on affected turbo-diesel vans. |
| DPF flange cracks (recall 2938) | On rear-drive manuals the DPF and bracket lack strength; on 4WD vans the exhaust mounting is unsuitable. Cracks cause exhaust noise and leaks. | Rear-drive manuals get a countermeasure DPF and bracket; 4WD vans get new bolts, a flange check and a new DPF if cracked. |
| Injection-pump return fitting leak (recall 2119) | The diesel injection pump's return eyebolt was under-tightened, and a neighbouring hose could work it loose and leak fuel. | Nissan's remedy: inspect, retorque if dry, or replace the washer and retorque if it leaks. |
Differences between JDM & USDM
This page describes Japanese-market E25 Caravans from Nissan's own releases, archived catalogues, FAQ and recall notices. Export-market versions need their own evidence for engines, emissions systems and passenger classification and are not described here. The Japanese E25 records examined name ZD30 engines; engine advice written for other markets should not be applied to it.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Critical Priority
High Priority
Medium Priority
Generation History
Generation span (Nissan label) (2001–2012)
- Nissan's heritage index labels the E25 as 2001–2012; exact first and last build dates are not established
- Nationwide Japanese sales began 14 May 2001; the release is dated 25 April 2001
Coach and turbo diesel (2001–2003)
- 20 November 2001: ten-seat Coach, 2.4-litre petrol, 2WD
- 30 September 2002: ZD30DDTi turbo diesel added, rated 121 PS; driver's airbag standard on every van
- 20 May 2003: 2WD turbo-diesel manual and the eight-seat Silkroad added
2005–2007 catalogue (2005–2007)
- Net ratings: KA20DE 120 PS, KA24DE 140 PS, ZD30DDTi 130 PS
- Super GX special specification on sale 13 February 2007
August 2007 revision (2007)
- On sale 31 August 2007: QR20DE and QR25DE replace the KA petrol engines, and a 5-speed automatic joins petrol vehicles
- The diesel gains common-rail injection and a DPF; Super DX added to van and Coach; tachometer standard
Recalls 2119 and 2938 (2008–2012)
- Recall 2119 began 31 May 2008: hub bearings and diesel injection-pump return fitting
- Recall 2938 began 25 May 2012: hub bearings, diesel-manual clutch bracket, turbo-diesel alternator pulley and DPF mounting
In Pictures
The Buyer's Read
Date the van first. The E25 changed on 30 September 2002, when the ZD30DDTi turbo diesel arrived, and on 31 August 2007, when the petrol engines moved from KA to QR and the diesel gained common rail and a DPF. The build date on the plate decides which version you are buying.
Then match the engine. Nissan's Japanese records name the ZD30 for the E25 diesel; do not apply YD25 advice. Power is 121 PS in the 2002 release and 130 PS (net) in the 2005–2007 catalogue. Oil quantity and fuel differ between earlier and later diesels, so use Nissan's FAQ figures and the maintenance note.
Check the chassis number against recalls 2119 and 2938, and ask for proof of the remedies. Verify any Super GX, Super DX, Rider or Silkroad claim against documents; no production counts were established.
For the US, age is judged per car and EPA expects the original-design engine or a certified replacement. Canada counts 15 years from the manufacture month, assesses staged conversions such as campers by the final-stage completion date and treats buses separately, so check classification before assuming the ordinary rule applies to a 12-seat microbus.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does the Japanese E25 Caravan have a ZD30 or a YD25 diesel?
- Nissan's launch release names the ZD30DD, the September 2002 release adds the ZD30DDTi, and the later web catalogue names ZD30DDTi with common rail, cooled EGR and a DPF. No YD25 application was established for the Japanese E25.
- When did the E25 gain a turbo, common rail and a DPF?
- The ZD30DDTi turbo diesel went on sale on 30 September 2002. A revision on sale from 31 August 2007 gave the diesel common-rail injection and a DPF, and Nissan's later catalogue confirms common rail, cooled EGR and a DPF.
- How much power does the ZD30DDTi make?
- Nissan's September 2002 release gives 89 kW (121 PS) at 3,200 rpm and 265 Nm. Its 2005–2007 catalogue gives 96 kW (130 PS) at 3,450 rpm, net. The date the 130 PS tune began is not established.
- Which oil does an E25 diesel need?
- Nissan's FAQ lists about 6.4 L (6.9 L with filter) of CF-4 10W-30 for earlier ZD30 engines and about 8.0 L (8.5 L) of DL-1 5W-30 for the ZD30DDTi from August 2007. These are quantities from the original owner's manuals; check the maintenance note.
- Is a 5-speed automatic available with the diesel?
- Nissan's August 2007 revision added a 5-speed automatic to petrol vehicles. The sources used do not assign it to diesel vans, so do not assume one.
- How do the GX and Super GX differ from the Coach and Silkroad?
- GX and Super GX are commercial van grades; the Super GX went on sale on 13 February 2007. The Coach (ten-seat from 20 November 2001) and the eight-seat Silkroad (from 20 May 2003) are passenger models with different seating and doors.
- Which recalls should I check?
- Nissan's recall 2119 (from 31 May 2008) and recall 2938 (from 25 May 2012). Applicability is by chassis number, and the listed ranges include vehicles that are not affected.
- Can I import an E25 into the US or Canada?
- The US safety exemption applies when a vehicle is 25 or more years old (49 CFR 591.5(i)), judged on each car's own age; the model year does not decide it. EPA separately expects the original-design engine or an EPA-certified replacement. Canada's older-vehicle exemption covers vehicles older than 15 years, using the manufacture month and year; Transport Canada treats buses and vehicles built in stages separately.
Sources & References
Sources (28)
- Nissan Heritage Collection: Caravan Limousine 2WD — Nissan Motor Corporation Verified
- Nissan corporate history: 1980s — Nissan Motor Corporation Verified
- Nissan Heritage Model: Caravan — Nissan Motor Corporation Verified
- Nissan Heritage Collection: Caravan Ambulance Hyper-Pack — Nissan Motor Corporation Verified
- Nissan news release: Caravan minor change, June 1999 — Nissan Motor Corporation Verified
- Nissan and Autech news release: Caravan CNGV, November 1999 — Nissan Motor Corporation Verified
- Nissan recall 791: Caravan and Homy — Nissan Motor Corporation Verified
- Nissan news release: new Caravan, April 2001 — Nissan Motor Corporation Verified
- Nissan news release: Caravan diesel turbo, September 2002 — Nissan Motor Corporation Verified
- Nissan news release: Caravan minor change and Silkroad, May 2003 — Nissan Motor Corporation Verified
- Nissan news release: Caravan Super GX, February 2007 — Nissan Motor Corporation Verified
- Nissan Caravan E25 archived catalogue: other specifications (December 2005) — Nissan Motor Corporation Verified
- Nissan Caravan E25 archived catalogue: super-long van specifications (December 2005) — Nissan Motor Corporation Verified
- Nissan Caravan E25 archived catalogue: performance (August 2007) — Nissan Motor Corporation Verified
- Nissan Caravan E25 archived catalogue: Coach (August 2007) — Nissan Motor Corporation Verified
- Nissan FAQ 10667: E25 engine-oil replacement quantities — Nissan Motor Corporation Verified
- Nissan recall 2119: Caravan — Nissan Motor Corporation Verified
- Nissan recall 2938: Caravan — Nissan Motor Corporation Verified
- Motor-Fan: Nissan Caravan Coach Silkroad, August 1994 — Motor-Fan Verified
- Motor-Fan: Nissan Caravan Coach Limousine, August 1995 — Motor-Fan Verified
- Response: Nissan Caravan Coach 2.7 GT diesel turbo, 1990–1993 — Response Verified
- webCG: ten-seat Caravan Coach added, November 2001 — webCG Verified
- webCG: Caravan revised, tachometer standard, September 2007 — webCG Verified
- Mynavi News: Nissan Caravan updated for emissions rules, August 2007 — Mynavi News Verified
- 49 CFR 591.5: Declarations required for importation — Electronic Code of Federal Regulations Verified
- EPA: Learn About Importing Vehicles and Engines — US Environmental Protection Agency Verified
- EPA: Procedures for Importing Vehicles and Engines into the United States — US Environmental Protection Agency Verified
- Transport Canada: Importing Older Vehicles into Canada — Transport Canada Verified
Sources last verified: