2002 Toyota Highlander engine problems

Filed Apr 25, 2015 · Engine · 114,434 miles · CA

I drove vehicle crown toyota for a minor service and mentioned that there was dripping of coolant noticed on the garage floor. Requested 'check and advise' on this. After approximately 3.0 hours, I went to the service desk for information regarding leak. I was taken to the service advisor [xxx] and he told me that they could not repair the leak because that situation is due to the head bolts pulling out of the block. The estimate for such repair was $6,780.28 plus tax and would involve replacing the short block. He mentioned this problem was known to occur with vehicles having the 2az-fe engines such as the above highlander and that I could research same. Since I was buying only toyota cars since 1972 and have owned 4 such cars and one lexus based on my experience and conclusion that reliability is number one with toyota. I can only say I was in shock. When I told my wife (this is actually her auto), she was sick for the next three days. A short discussion with aaa. Suggested we look at this web site for complaints, etc. It turns out that this problem has occurred many times before and applies to several models including the rav-4 and highlander some with much lower mileage but there is no actual recall or letter notice from toyota. Also, no proposed action by dealerships to resolve the problem. I think that dumping this sudden, major expense problem on owners is very irresponsible- not worthy of toyota. Compensation regarding the time loss and expense should be offered to owners or dealers should be instructed by toyota to resolve when found. Please note that this vehicle and all the previous was serviced by toyota /lexus dealerships. A positive response would be appreciated. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Jul 31, 2014 · Engine · 150,000 miles · IN

Tl* the contacts owns a 2002 toyota highlander. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would leak antifreeze and the temperature gauge warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who discovered that the motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

Filed Mar 17, 2014 · Brakes, Engine · 140,000 miles · SC

Driving on I-26 east bound with kids near exit 110 in columbia, sc. Car veered violently 3 lanes and took a turn facing the traffic. Lost complete control of the steering, brakes and the engine shut down abruptly. Pictures and videos with tire marks are available for analysis along with the police contact report. Engine started after several trials at which time the car was pulled away form the main lanes. All 4 tires are replaced 6-8 weeks ago with brand new tires. Front drivers side tire shows the stress of the sudden impact. A pastor couple is the eye witness to the whole event. Luckily rear traffic stopped avoiding a major accident. Our sincere wish is to prevent this happening to other families by understanding the root cause of the problem. We moved the car to the nearest toyota car dealer and requested them to analyze the situation to avoid repeat of similar incidents to other families.

Filed Mar 4, 2014 · Engine · 99,800 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota highlander. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle began to shake violently as a strong odor of engine oil and fuel emitted from under the hood. The engine warning indicator illuminated continuously. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road and towed to an independent mechanic, who stated that the engine would need to be replaced due to engine sludge. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 99,800.

Filed Oct 4, 2013 · Engine · 120,000 miles · CO

While driving on a busy interstate, the vehicle began to overheat, causing the need to pull over. The vehicle's engine temperature was at its maximum and was loosing coolant. After several inspections, it was determined that the head gasket had blown at such low overall vehicle mileage due to the engine head being made of aluminum and the block being made of steel. This also caused the vehicle head bolt threads to be stripped, resulting in the need for a new engine.

Filed Jun 25, 2013 · Engine · 151,000 miles · OK

I was driving my 2002 toyota highlander on the highway and was accelerating to pass a car when I heard a loud noise coming from the engine area, all the lights on my dash came on and my car stalled. I struggled without the power steering and brakes to get my car over 2 lanes of fast moving traffic and get it onto the exit ramp. My auto had drastically slowed due to engine not working and I was almost hit several times as cars flew around and past me. I finally manage to get it off the highway and into a safe spot, but it was extremely difficult because I had lost all power and had no power steering or power brakes. I had it towed to the dealer. I am only the second owner of this vehicle and I know the original owner and he took very good care of this car doing all the maintenance himself and using only toyota parts. The dealer says my engine is ruined but he never mentioned anything about the problems they have had with these engines and sludge and engine failure. The original owner says he never received anything from toyota about the class action lawsuit nor any of the fixes for the sludge/engine failure problem. I could have been killed and am lucky I was not. Toyota should have recalled all these engines and fixed or replaced them instead of just secretly fixing them, only when forced to by the customer for only 8 years. Fact is, if the orig owner hadn't babied the car, the engine would have gone much sooner. So because he took good care of it, I am s-o-l because the 8 year extended warranty is up. I guess the real truth is that toyota make its cars to last longer than 8 years.

Filed Apr 18, 2013 · Engine · 149,800 miles · WI

Last saturday 4/13/13 the check engine light came on and the car started shaking and making a weird noise. I haven't driven it since then when I parked it in the driveway. I didn't even trust it to park it in the garage because it smelled hot. White smoke and the smell of exhaust has been coming out of the exhaust. Today was the soonest I could get it looked at (by a trusted local repair shop) and I was just told it's an internal engine problem. I see this has been a problem with this engine and because of a class action suit toyota has had to replace the engine in cars 8 years and newer, I don't qualify. I was never notified by toyota of this problem....and I am the original owner. I have replaced 3 oxygen sensors and the air conditioning compressor.

Filed Dec 4, 2011 · Engine · 100,000 miles · VA

A couple of months ago white smoke emitted from the exhaust pipe. Last week, on a trip within 400 miles of my home, the engine and vsc light came on intermittently. I immediately called toyota and was told that the car could stop suddenly and leave us stranded so I made an appt for monday morning. The car rode very rough for the last two hours and it seemed as if it is ready to stall anytime. Toyota charged me $ 321.00 for a compression and diagnostics test. Toyota found that I had low compression. Toyota also offered to take apart my engine for 2667.00 to see if the rings were damaged. I refused the work and picked up my car. We called an engine repair business. The owner knew the make, model and year of my car and asked if we had just hit the 100,000 mile marker. We had. He told us of the oil sludge problem, settlement and faulty aluminum engines. I have researched similar characteristics with the highlander and see that it is a common problem for the 2002 highlander. The sludge situation would only be covered if it was within 8 years of the purchase date. What about the many consumers who still have this problem and it is past the eight years? I bought this highlander in 2005, had it serviced regularly and we also changed the oil ourselves. In 2008 I brought the car into the toyota dealership for a tune up and an oil change prior to a long trip. On the way home, the engine light came on and we pulled over to a local gas station and there was literally no oil in my engine. Toyota did the oil change but did not put 5 quarts of oil into my car for this long trip. When I returned I did confront the dealership but they denied any wrongdoing. We have, since that time period had to add oil continuously. It turns out that I will need to replace my engine for 4500.00.

Filed Nov 29, 2011 · Engine · 109,200 miles · NY

Vehicle has toyota 2az-fe (2.4 l) 4 cylinder engine. Oil & coolant leaking from back of engine. Head bolts on main gasket failed. In searching internet, countless other owners have unfortunately experienced the same failure which is due to an inherent design problem by toyota. Bolts between gasket and main engine block fail and cannot be repaired or replaced. Have to buy and install a new engine. Called toyota USA headquarters in torrance, ca. And spoke to them, they said they will do nothing for me. Spoke to dylan and the case number is 1111291430. I believe that a recall should be issued and that toyota should assume financial responsibility for these failures, which are obviously due to a design and manufacturing problem of toyota.

Filed Jan 26, 2011 · Engine · 126,000 miles · CA · fire

I purchased a new 2002 toyota highlander from sierra toyota of lancaster, ca. I have experienced no problems with this vehicle until 25 jan. 2011 when the engine overheated while driving 40mph on city street. I took my vehicle to my mechanic and he informed me of a problem with the 2.4l 4cyl toyota engines in which some of the head bolts become loose/stripped where they attach at the engine block. I called sierra toyota of lancaster and they denied any knowledge of this problem. On further investigation, I discovered that sierra toyota had a specialist servicing one of their vehicles by placing inserts into the stripped holes the very next day. Sierra toyota refused to give me any monetary assistance in repairing my vehicle. After researching the bolt problem on the internet, I have found numerous toyota owners with the same engine, that have had the exact same problem with their vehicles. The only fix is either a complete engine replacement or having an expensive anchor-bolt redo. My costs look like to be about $2500, if there is no other damage found due to the over-heating. At this point, I don't even know if the new anchor-bolt system will work. My vehicle was always well-maintained and currently has apx. 126,000 miles on it.