Engine Exhaust System problems of the 2002 Toyota Highlander

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.

My 2002 Toyota Highlander's check engine light seems to come on every 10,000 miles. This has been happening since 2004, at about 43000 miles, when I first took it to a local dealer mechanic. It is now 2009, 111000 miles later, and again the check engine light comes on queue. Originally, the dealer mechanics told me they had corrected it prior to my warranty expiring. When my warranty expired, they told me that I needed to get an overhaul on my catalytic/exhaust system, which was quoted to cost about $5000 to fix! I believe my car was worth no more than $7000 at the time. An independent mechanic told me that there was nothing wrong with my catalytic system and that there may be a problem with the detection system. I've been shown how to reset the check engine light by the Toyota dealer personnel, I suspect, because it is happening to other Highlander owners. I am bringing this issue up now because it seems like a recall should have been issued years ago. I hope someone from Toyota will recognize and fix this issue.

Black smoke came out of the exhaust pipe, and vehicle consumed excessive oil. Dealership wanted to replace the valve seal and piston o-ring s, but the parts were on back order. Vehicle is at the dealership for repairs and consumer was asked to use a rental car since vehicle's parts for repair where not available at that time. Consumer received a call from dealer that vehicle was ready top be picked up. When consumer picked up the vehicle, he noticed that vehicle is once again smoking and experienced hesitation. Took vehicle to dealership and replaced the timing belt which caused the hesitation. However, the problem with the smoke coming out and occasional hesitation still exist.

Shortly after the second oil change, 10000 miles the exhaust system started making noise. It started as a loud sound from the muffler and now has become a rattling sound and loud exhaust noise. The banging/rattling sound is worst during left hand turns. Dealer stated we damaged the exhaust pipe and the brackets needed repair $175. The mechanic was unable to show me any physical damage to the exhaust system. I noticed the new Highlanders have a different and smaller muffler which does not bang into adjacent parts. I wonder if I am not the only one with this problem.