Engine Failure Problems of Toyota Highlander

My 2011 Toyota Highlander v6 awd suffered a sudden oil cooler pipe failure/rupture leading to catastrophic engine failure/damage at approximately 85,000 miles. This is a known defect with certain 2008-2011 Highlanders and was the subject of a service bulletin and eventually a warranty enhancement (ze2) starting in 2014, but we were never notified of this issue via mail or by the Toyota dealer at which the vehicle is regularly serviced. The vehicle was traveling on the highway when the problem occurred. The vehicle was then towed to the dealership where it was found that the sudden loss of oil had caused catastrophic engine damage due to a bent rod from running without oil. As this problem can lead to major safety issues due to sudden loss of power (not to mention the potential for several thousand dollars in damage if a complete engine replacement is needed) a mandatory recall should be performed.

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Vvt-I oil line failure causing complete loss of engine oil while driving at speed on a highway. Car had to be towed and repaired due to lack of quality parts used in the manufacturing process. Toyota identified this problem internally yet failed to take appropriate measure to identify all models equipped with substandard oil lines and, likewise, did not attempt in earnest to notify owners of affected models. The result of Toyota's lack of appropriate effort in notifying owners resulted in oil line parts failures occurring outside of an extended coverage period instituted by Toyota. Because Toyota did not act in good faith, owners were not notified and were subsequently put at risk of oil line parts failures resulting in engine damage or even engine failure. Many of the affected models are still in operation and the drivers of these vehicles will have no idea until the part fails due to Toyota's lack of appropriate action. Toyota offers no support for this defect outside of a warranty enhancement or limited service campaign which owners were not sufficiently made aware of.

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The vvt-I oil cooler hose burst resulting in a major engine oil spill in a residential driveway. The Toyota dealership and Toyota corporate headquarters refuse to assume responsibility for the defective part because the vehicle is outside the warranty period and because they claim there is no recall for this part on the Highlander. This same vvt-I oil cooler hose has been recalled on 1. 6 million us rav4's, camry's and other Toyota models. Not only could a total loss of engine oil cause catastrophic engine failure, this issue can also be considered a safety concern. If engine oil were to have made contact with hot engine parts or hot exhaust piping, then a fire may have occurred which could have resulted in serious vehicular damage and loss of life.

I was driving my 2002 Toyota Highlander on the highway and was accelerating to pass a car when I heard a loud nosie coming from the engine area, all the lights on my dash came on and my car stalled. I struggled without the power steering and brakes to get my car over 2 lanes of fast moving traffic and get it onto the exit ramp. My auto had drastically slowed due to engine not working and I was almost hit several times as cars flew around and past me. I finally manage to get it off the highway and into a safe spot, but it was extremely difficult because I had lost all power and had no power steering or power brakes. I had it towed to the dealer. I am only the second owner of this vehicle and I know the original owner and he took very good care of this car doing all the maintenance himself and using only Toyota parts. The dealer says my engine is ruined but he never mentioned anything about the problems they have had with these engines and sludge and engine failure. The original owner says he never received anything from Toyota about the class action lawsuit nor any of the fixes for the sludge/engine failure problem. I could have been killed and am lucky I was not. Toyota should have recalled all these engines and fixed or replaced them instead of just secretly fixing them, only when forced to by the customer for only 8 years. Fact is, if the orig owner hadn't babied the car, the engine would have gone much sooner. So because he took good care of it, I am s-o-l because the 8 year extended warranty is up. I guess the real truth is that Toyota make its its cars to last longer than 8 years.

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Tl- the contact owns a 2003 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that she noticed red fluid leaking from the bottom of the vehicle. The vehicle was able to be driven to a private mechanic where it was confirmed that the head bolt on the engine failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been contacted. The failure and current mileages were 105,000. The VIN was not available. Kmj.

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I have a 2003 Toyota Highlander 2. 4l that had engine failure due to 3 headbolts on the intake side of the head become loose as other numerous folks have experienced. The engine blew the headgasket and lost compression/power and died. The seems to be a very well known issue by Toyota, repair shops, and salvage yards. Seems someone should hold Toyota reponsible for repair cost - I. E new engine since this is an obvious manufacturing/engineering design flaw. Beware of Highlanders, camrys and ravs since they all have this 2. 4l engine.