2001 Toyota Highlander engine problems

Filed Jan 26, 2015 · Engine · 90,000 miles · OH

Toyota had a problem with there 4 cylinder engines in camry and highlander with engine mountain threads pulling away for a three or four year period. My car started leaking oil about 90,000 miles when I took in to a dealer he told me about the problem and toyota did not issue a recall. I was told only fix is a new engine. They also had a problem with the catalytic converter also again no recall.

Filed Dec 24, 2012 · Engine · 232,698 miles · CA

I am the original owner of our 2001toyota 3.0 highlander. I also own a 2008 toyota tundra pickup and a 2008 lexus es 350. Our highlander has been exceptional vehicle. I have performed all the required maintenance on our vehicles since their purchase, oil changes, fluids levels, serpentine and power steering belts replacements, tire rotation, air and fuel filters replacement, wipers, struts, and miscellaneous items. The only service that was performed by technicians was coolant and transmission oil service. On tuesday, december 11, 2012 while my way home from work, I noticed that my check engine light activated. When I got home, I use my obd code reader and obtained the fault code of p1349. It should be noted that my vehicle appeared to be running normally. After reading the possible causes, I took it to a local service center and had an oil change performed. I did this because I had a coupon for an oil change and filter for $14.99. I reset the check engine light and then drove the vehicle work. On the way home, I noticed that my check engine light and my low oil pressure light had activated. As I attempted to make it off the freeway, I noticed that the motor start messing. By the time I got to the off ramp, the engine was emitting loud banging sounds and was struggling. By the time is able to safely park the vehicle, the motor had ceased. As an original owner, I do not recall ever receiving a notice regarding oil jelly. I am requesting that my motor failure be covered the oil gel settlement. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Apr 20, 2010 · Acceleration, Engine · 20,000 miles · NJ

2001 toyota highlander purchased new. About once a year it accelerates on its own. Reported problem to toyota dealer in 2002 or 2003 - have receipt. We can stop the car with firm pressure on the brake. In most cases when we put the transmission into park the engine continued to race at high RPM. I can't remember all incidents, but believe that in some cases was able to slow the engine down by keeping my foot on the brake and putting the car back into drive. Other times I turned off the ignition. When I restart the car it is fine. Most recent occurrence was sunday 4/18/2010 in parking lot of a&p on south avenue in clark or westfield, nj. My wife was in the car with me. I had been driving the car for about an hour. The last half hour was on the garden state parkway at 55+ miles per hour. Was off the parkway for less than 5 minutes when I made left turn into a&p parking lot and another left in the parking lot. Driving less than 15 miles per hour. Then was almost stopped as I was about to turn left into parking space. Noticed the engine RPM seemed a little higher than normal and I became more cautious and made sure my foot was firmly on the brake pedal. The engine RPM began to increase rapidly. I pressed on the brake pedal as hard as possible and was able to keep the car from moving forward, but the engine would not stop racing. I put the transmission in park and the engine continued to race at full throttle. I turned off the ignition and the engine stopped. Restarted the car after a minute and it was fine. Don't believe I was pressing on the gas at the same time as the brake because the two pedals are far enough apart that to do so my foot could only be halfway on the brake pedal. In that case when I press hard my ankle starts to twist. I am sure my foot was centered on the brake in this incident because I had time to prepare and it felt firmly in the center. I don't think the gas pedal was stuck because I had been driving very slowly immediately before the incident.

Filed Feb 26, 2010 · Engine · 52,000 miles · LA

Car began surging on three occasions. Car was parked, in park at the curb, and engine was surging from idle to aprox 2500 RPM. I plugged an obd into the car to look for error codes and there were none. I cycled the obd again and the surging stopped. ??

Filed Nov 25, 2009 · Engine · 76,000 miles · CA

While my 2001 toyota highlander was in operation the engine bolts pulled loose causing the engine to seize and be destroyed. The car was stopped at a light at the time and had it been in operation on the freeway could have caused a serious accident. The engine is destroyed and a new engine would cost $7000. I believe that there have been numerous incidents involving engine bolts on toyota cars and trucks and that toyota has always blamed other things and not addressed whether the bolts are defective or have not been installed properly. There are various references on the internet of customers having problems with the engine bolts on toyota vehicles..toyota has no explanation for what happened to my car. I believe it may be the installation of the bolts or the quality of them.

Filed Aug 3, 2009 · Engine · 139,723 miles · CA

This is not a safety complaint. It is an attempt to get toyota motor to admit a defect in many of their engines. Oil and coolant leaking from the engine of my 2001 highlander. I was told by toyota service that they found 3 stripped head bolts which cause the leak and it ended up costing me $3,500 to repair the head and block. No guarantee that the bolts would not skip out again. I have read a growing number of complaints from toyota owners who have faced the same problem and toyota refuses to help or admit that this maybe a engine flaw.

Filed Feb 27, 2008 · Engine · 48,800 miles · WA

2.4 (4cyl) engine making noise, sounds like rod knocking. Toyota dealer said same thing. Engine blew up at 45 MPH. Oil was always changed at approximately 3000 miles. Used on highways and city streets. Contacted toyota corporate and they didn't seem to care. Out of warranty. Never heard of a toyota engine blowing a rod. This highlander was in ex. Cond. To sold as junk never buy another toyota again !!!!!!

Filed Apr 6, 2007 · Engine · 75,000 miles · 00

We bought our highlander just over a year ago and we have to constantly put oil into vehicle. It only has 80,000 on it, and we have to put about a liter of oil into it every other week. The manufacturer of our area checked it twice, and determined that we need another engine, but the cost was around $7000 in canadian that engine would come from japan, and it would be a used one, and would only warranty that for 1 year. Then what am completely disgusted!! We plan on getting rid of this thing as fast as possible and will never buy another toyota again..do yourselves a favor and tell people about this so no one goes this .

Filed Jul 7, 2006 · Engine · 65,000 miles · MS

Dt*: the contact stated, while driving 55 MPH a noise was heard coming from the engine. The vehicle was maneuvered off the road where it stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who determined the engine needed to be replaced due to sludge. The vehicle was taken into the dealer once before for this problem and the engine was cleaned. The manufacturer has been alerted.

Filed Feb 25, 2006 · Engine · 42,269 miles · TX

Oxygen sensor failed (caused check engine light to go on), within 24 hours of having it replaced check engine light went on again and a second oxygen sensor had failed,which also had to be replaced. Check engine light is on again.