2004 Toyota Highlander Engine Problems
- 15
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
What owners report
- head gasket · 8 records
- head bolts · 6 records
- engine block · 5 records
- bolts stripped · 4 records
- leaking coolant · 4 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 100–150k mi | 8 |
| 60–100k mi | 2 |
| 150–400k mi | 2 |
| 1–30k mi | 1 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Engine
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…
ODI 10954090
Engine
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??
ODI 10906228
Engine
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…
ODI 10777806
Engine
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…
ODI 10681355
Engine
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…
ODI 10662293
Engine
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…
ODI 10578324
Engine
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…
ODI 10714728
Engine · Power Train
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.…
ODI 10507360
Engine
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…
ODI 10503016
Engine
The threads in the engine block became striped leaking coolant into the engine/pistons. Recommendation was to replace the engine. *tr
ODI 10499444
Engine
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
ODI 10497711
Engine
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.
ODI 10482953
Engine
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…
ODI 10473054
Engine
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…
ODI 10465951
Engine
The threads in the engine block became striped leaking coolant into the engine/pistons, blowing the head gasket. *tr
ODI 10496546