What car models have timing chains?
Many modern cars use timing chains rather than belts in at least some of their engines. Examples across popular brands include Toyota Camry and RAV4, Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Sorento, VW Golf, and Mazda CX-5. Whether a given model uses a timing chain depends on the specific engine under the hood and can vary by year and trim, so it’s important to verify the exact engine code for your vehicle.
What this means for drivers
Timing chains and timing belts perform the same job—keeping the engine’s valves in sync with the pistons—but they differ in material, maintenance needs, and typical replacement costs. Chains are generally designed to last longer and may require less frequent replacement, though failures can occur if tensioners, guides, or chains wear out. Because the choice between a chain and a belt is tied to the engine design, model year and engine option matter a lot when identifying whether a car uses a timing chain.
Representative models and brands with timing-chain engines
Below are representative examples by brand of models that commonly use timing-chain engines in at least one of their powertrains. This is not an exhaustive list; always check the exact engine code for your vehicle.
Toyota
- Toyota Camry (2.5L 4-cylinder and 3.5L V6) – chain-driven timing
- Toyota RAV4 (2.5L) – chain-driven timing
- Toyota Highlander (3.5L V6) – chain-driven timing
- Toyota Sienna (3.5L V6) – chain-driven timing
Toyota’s current mainstream lineup largely relies on timing chains for its major engines, reducing belt-related maintenance over the life of the vehicle.
Honda
- Honda Accord (2.0L turbo and other common engines) – timing chain
- Honda Civic (1.5L and 2.0L variants) – timing chain
- Honda CR-V (1.5L turbo and other engines) – timing chain
Honda has used timing chains on many of its widely sold engines for years, including the K-series and newer turbo setups, contributing to longer-chain maintenance intervals in many models.
Nissan
- Nissan Altima (2.5L) – timing chain
- Nissan Maxima (3.5L V6) – timing chain
- Nissan Rogue (2.5L) – timing chain in common engine options
Across Nissan’s sedan and crossover lines, timing chains are common in the primary engines, though verify the exact engine code for a given year and trim.
Ford
- Ford F-150 (3.5L EcoBoost and many other engines) – timing chain
- Ford Escape (1.5L/2.0L EcoBoost variants) – timing chain
- Ford Explorer (3.0L/2.3L EcoBoost variants) – timing chain
- Ford Mustang (5.0L V8 and select EcoBoost options) – timing chain
Ford’s modern lineup frequently uses timing chains in its mainstream engines, especially the EcoBoost turbocharged family and larger V8s.
General Motors (Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, Cadillac)
- Chevrolet Silverado (5.3L and other V8s) – timing chain
- Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban (V8 options) – timing chain
- GMC Sierra (V8 options) – timing chain
- Cadillac Escalade (V8 options) – timing chain
GM’s modern V8 and V6 engines generally use timing chains, aligning with a broader industry shift away from belts for heavy-duty applications.
Hyundai and Kia
- Hyundai Elantra (2.0L) – timing chain
- Hyundai Sonata (2.0L and 1.6L turbo variants) – timing chain
- Kia Sorento (2.5L) – timing chain
- Kia Forte (2.0L) – timing chain
Hyundai and Kia have widely adopted timing chains across many of their gasoline engines, often offering beltless maintenance profiles in newer generations.
Volkswagen
- Volkswagen Golf/GTI (1.4L and 2.0L TSI engines) – timing chain
- Volkswagen Jetta (1.4L/2.0L TSI) – timing chain
VW’s turbocharged engines in compact cars typically use timing chains, though belt usage can appear in some legacy or diesel variants; always confirm the specific engine code.
Mazda
- Mazda CX-5 (2.5L) – timing chain
- Mazda3/Mazda6 (2.0L/2.5L Skyactiv) – timing chain
Mazda’s Skyactiv-G and Skyactiv-X engines generally use timing chains, aligning with their emphasis on durable, maintenance-friendly powertrains.
How to verify for your vehicle
To confirm whether a specific model and engine use a timing chain, check the owner’s manual or the service/maintenance section of the manufacturer’s site. You can also look up the exact engine code (for example, Toyota’s A25A-FKS or GM’s LT1) to see whether it uses a chain or a belt. If you’re shopping used, request service records that show belt/chain maintenance, and ask a trusted mechanic to inspect the timing system if the vehicle has high mileage or a history of noise or timing issues.
Summary
Across today’s mainstream car market, timing chains are common in many top-selling models and engines, often providing longer intervals between replacements than traditional timing belts. However, the presence of a chain is engine-specific and year-specific, not guaranteed by the model alone. Always verify the exact engine option for the vehicle you’re considering, and factor in maintenance history when assessing long-term ownership costs.
