Three problems related to engine overheat have been reported for the 2004 Toyota Highlander. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2004 Toyota Highlander based on all problems reported for the 2004 Highlander.
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 and I have 2 dogs! not to mention getting stranded out in trafffic or a desolate area when engine overheating occurs putting your own life in danger from becoming a stranded motorist.
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.
Coolant loss due to stripped head bolts in the engine block. Engine over heated.