2002 Toyota Highlander: engine overheating

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 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.

Filed Oct 18, 2010 · Engine · 75,000 miles · CA

Some earlier models of toyota's 2az-fe 4 cylinder engine are susceptible to sudden failure and are dangerous. The engine is widely used in toyota's popular camry, highlander, rav4 and scion tc models. Toyota needs to accept responsibility and investigate the engine. On 9/11/2010, 2002 toyota highlander's 2az-fe engine failed and left occupants stranded. Event took place immediately after exiting the highway. The vehicle's engine sputtered and ceased to function. The vehicle had about 75,000 miles on it. The vehicle was towed to a toyota dealership which reported the following: - oil and coolant leaking from the back of the engine head - hydrocarbon in the coolant - oil severely burnt due to overheating the estimate to open up and repair the engine could run anywhere from $2,000 to $7,500 depending on whether the engine block needed to be replaced. The vehicle had been regularly maintained according to the manufacturer's schedule with all the records to prove it. Toyota denied request to investigate and defray costs. While engine was opened by a local mechanic it was discovered that two of the head bolts were loose and that the threads in the aluminum engine block for 3 head bolts in the rear were stripped. Repairing the engine involved re-threading the holes in the engine block for all ten head bolts using the time-sert thread repair kit.

Filed Aug 23, 2009 · Engine · 56,000 miles · GU

I noticed coolant leaking from underneath the plastic into intake manifold in the rear of the engine. I brought it in for repair and the mechanic said he noticed a large piece of foam rubber between the intake manifold and the engine block and head.the leak was behind the foam piece. The only option to discover the source of this leak was to remove the plastic intake manifold, which the mechanic did. After this was removed, it became obvious that coolant had been leaking a minor amount for quite some time due to build up between the cylinder head and block. The only option left is to remove the head, which requires an extensive disassembly (r and r cylinder head). After loosening the bolts in sequence, he noticed three of the head bolts in the back of the engine were loose. After he removed the head sure enough, one bolt came out with aluminum in the thread thus indicating a stripped bolt. And the other three were loose. He said the only option was to replace the engine block, which will cost about $6000 including shipping/labor. I can not afford this and so had the highlander towed back to my home.

Filed Sep 2, 2004 · Engine · 41,000 miles · MS

While driving oil pressure warning light illuminated. This caused the vehicle to overheat.