Engine problems of the 2003 Toyota Highlander

2003 Toyota Highlander with 110,000 miles started to overheat and lose coolant. Took it to dealership and learned that the cylinder head bolts had come loose due to the holes in the block being stripped. Toyota estimated $3000 to take the block out to a machinist to bore new holes, but if that didn't work it would cost $6000 to replace the block. I then took the car to a private mechanic who said it would cost $9600 to take out the block and send to machinist or buy a re-manufactured engine for $8200. The private mechanic stated this problem is due to faulty manufacturing of the engine and also stated that he sees this problem all the time in these types of vehicles. On the internet I have found consumers sharing the same stories about similar vehicles by Toyota with similar engines that have the same problem; some only lasting 70,000 miles. I put in a call with Toyota headquarters and they gave me a reference number in case any recalls should arise. Toyota said that there was nothing they could do out of "good faith" since it is passed the warranty mileage and since I did not do all my servicing at Toyota. I changed the oil every 3,000 miles and took very good care of this vehicle as it was my first purchase of a new vehicle and I thought it would last me a long time.

Toyota Highlander 2003 2. 4 liter, blown head gasket due to stripped threads on the short block engine.

A few months after the purchase of my new 2003 Toyota Highlander, it has developed a pronounced "ticking" sound within the engine. I am concerned that this could mean that a problem is developing, and it is also an annoying sound in an otherwise quiet vehicle. I am going to report this to Toyota via their web site. This vehicle cost me almost $35k and I do not feel that this problem is insignificant nor should be ignored by the dealer. Should I choose to sell the vehicle, I would suspect this will significantly lower the price I could ask and may even prevent me from unloading it altogether.