2004 Toyota Highlander Engine problems

Hello, I am the Buyer of the subject Vehicle, Upon doing my research, I found out several reports stating that The subject vehicle's 2.4L engine has manufacturing defect, that causes Head Bolts to get stripped/melt down in to oil causing Engine failures and Life threating risk in the middle of the road.

My trac off lights, engine and oil light came on when I was driving to work. I work far from home so I took it to the valvoline near my job to check the oil. I didn't want to drive my car home if there was no oil. They checked the oil, underneath my car and said everythingwas fine and to take to my mechanic to check the engine. I took it to my mechanic who kept it for 4 days and said its the oil sluge and he was trying to save the engine. My mechanic said they had a lexus in the week before with the same...

The outer ring of the crank shaft pulley has pulled away from the inner ring causing damage to all system and can affect steering. This already has a recall for my make, model and year, but not for my vin number. It seems strange that this exact same thing that has the recall affects my car, but repair is not covered. Should recall be expanded to include other vin numbers??

We have a vehicle with a 2.4Liter/4 cylinger engine that is loosing oil at a rate of 1qrt per 1000 miles and now there is a coolant leak coming from the gasket seal between the engine block and head. There is no guage that tells you how much oil is missing until it's too late and the engine starts to over heat. Both the oil and coolant is leaking on roads, parking lots and driveways, what we have found is that the bolts that are nearest the leak are stripped, they either stripped in assembly or flailed do to...

Was driving on the highway about 60-65 mph when engine began over heating. Pull over radiator was low. Put antifreeze in drove home check was allow again. The next called toyota dealer, with out even looking they said you probably have a blown head gasket. But when we tear it down and if the head bolts are stripped out it will cost upwards of 2000.00. So now I have the car in an independent shop. I'm out almost 800.00 Now, and the cars still not fixed. I believe toyota knew about this problem long before I bought this car. I went on the internet and found the has been happening in 2001-2006 models.I think they should be held responsible. *Tr

My car began overheating at 140k miles. Took it to a mechanic and had the water pump and thermostat replaced. The car overheated again a week later. Took it back to the mechanic and he told me the head gasket was blown and had to be replaced. When he went to replace the gasket he found that three head bolts were stripped on the block. The cylinder head bolts separating from lower part of engine block caused a coolant leak. This is obviously a manufacturing error. This car was bought brand new and has been driven...

As shown on your complaint section I among many many others have been sold a defective 2.4 Liter engine 4 cylinder. The head bolts become stripped and migrate loose over time and there is no repair solution. You have to scrap the engine and maybe the whole vehicle no matter how good of condition its in. This problem causes a blown head gasket and resulting major leakage of antifreeze which is a life threatening chemical babies and pets drink and die from. I first found this pool of antifreeze on my garage floor...

Vehicle had lost some water/coolant and began to get hot. Replaced fluid and drove home. Kept loosing fluid, so I took it to the shop. They thought it had a blown head gasket. Took it to another shop which discovered that 3-4 of the head bolts are stripped; they are steel and the block is aluminum. Repair kit exists and has been ordered. So, toyota must know about this problem and could have issued an advisory to all owners. Expected this motor to last 150-250 thou miles, but this is a built in problem that could have been avoided. Toyota should cover the repair costs. *Tr

Vehicle was driven normally and parked. While parked, owner noticed small leak under front axle, investigated and leak appeared to be transmission fluid or antifreeze. Owner drove vehicle next day, parked and noticed leak was larger. Owner took vehicle to dealer next morning and was told the head gasket was failing. Dealer said alternatives were to repair head gasket ($3200+), replace engine or buy another vehicle. Owner declined repair and took vehicle to independent mechanic, who confirmed head gasket leak...

The engine overheated despite the no indication of high temperatures from the temperature gauge. We had it towed to the dealer who misdiagnosed it initially. We then drove it back from dealer (7 miles) to our home and it overheated again. Now the dealer says at a bare minimum the head gasket needs replacement ($3200) and it could new an entirely new engine. I don't know how this is possible at 86,000 miles. After doing some research I have found others with this problem especially 4 cylinders but it is not recall. Please help, I am unemployed and need this car! *Tr

The threads in the engine block became striped leaking coolant into the engine/pistons. Recommendation was to replace the engine. *Tr

Vehicle began leaking coolant from the center of the engine. No warning lights or sensors have gone off period. Called toyota dealership and manufacture line and both told me they have never heard of the problem, which is untrue I found hundreds of individuals with the same issue. *Tr

The threads in the engine block became striped leaking coolant into the engine/pistons, blowing the head gasket. *Tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota highlander. The contact stated that while at the dealer for routine maintenance, the technician noticed that the front differential was leaking fluid onto the exhaust. The technician advised the contact that the seal and the gaskets for the front differential would have to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 113,000.

Engine was leaking coolant. Car was brought to repair shop where it was discovered that the engine cylinder's head bolts were stripped causing the leak. Later was informed damage was due to the placement of the insulation foam rubber piece between the intake manifold and the engine block that created an uneven dispersion of heat, creating fatigue in the aluminum block allowing the headbolt to strip. Contacted toyota who refused to acknowledge manufacturing defect. Repairs totaled $2,000 due to this manufacturing error. *Tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota highlander. The contact stated that she noticed a leak from under the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis who stated that the leaking fluid was antifreeze. The contact was also advised that the cylinder head bolts and threads would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no assistance. The failure and the current mileage was 103,000. The consumer stated there is a safety issue with the vehicle, due to...

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota highlander. The contact started the vehicle and the check engine and voc warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who inspected the vehicle and advised that the crankshaft pulley needed to be replaced. The dealer advised that there was a crack in the pulley that could cause the power steering pump to become compromised. The contact referenced nhtsa campaign id number: 11v539000, (engine and engine cooling) but the vin was not included. The vehicle was taken...

Coolant loss due to stripped head bolts in the engine block. No smoke or heat or warning on dash. Have to change engine block costing $6,000 for parts and repair. Dealer not responding. Always have received maintenance with the same dealer/service center. *Tr

My car started heating up as I accelerated onto the highway. I saw the dial going into the red zone. I pulled off the highway and was towed at my expense to hilltop richmond toyota. I was told that afternoon that the head gasket and the water pump both blew out. I now have a $2,500 repair on my hands. After researching this I found that this is happening to many toyota owners and that was verified by the dealership person as well. Toyota is using bolts that strip which cause the head gasket to fail. There are also several reports about a foam piece in the block that also fails as it is faulty as well. *Tr

I took my 2004 toyota highlander v6 to longo toyota for brake booster recall in november 2010. They kept my car nearly 7 weeks before repair was completed. A few days after picking up my vehicle, while I was parked dropping off my passenger, most of the control panel lights illuminated (brakes, abs, trac off, vsc, check engine). I reported this to the dealer. They said to bring the car back. I took the car back and diagnostic tests were run and concluded that a code was stored but it was nothing specific that had...

Coolant loss due to stripped head bolts in the engine block. Engine over heated. No heat.*Tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 toyota highlander. While driving approximately 40 mph, the contact noticed that the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the cylinder behind the intake manifold was leaking and that she would need to replace the engine. The dealer advised the contact that since the vehicle was no longer under warranty they would not be able to provide her with any assistance. The manufacturer was notified and the contact was waiting for a response. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The current and failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 toyota highlander. The contact was driving approximately 45 mph, and noticed that the temperature gauge rapidly increased to hot and the engine began to overheat. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact parked the vehicle for one hour and then resumed driving without the engine overheating. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnostic testing where they were informed that the engine block bolts were stripped and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

2004 Toyota highlander. Consumer expresses discontent regarding toyota *tgw the consumer stated on four occasions, the vehicle stalled in heavy traffic. On the fourth occasion, it not only stalled, but rolled backwards into another vehicle behind the consumer. The consumer has since traded the vehicle. (Consumer didn't state if there was property damage) *jb

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 toyota highlander. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph the engine started to overheat and smoke. None of the warning lights appeared nor did the temperature gauge inform him that it was going to overheat. The vehicle was inspected by a independent mechanic who informed him that the threads from the engine bolt stripped and he needed to replace the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 151,000. The vin was unavailable.