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Toyota Highlander

2AZ-FE 2.4L 155 hp Automatic SUV 2001–2007
– Be Careful
Engine 2AZ-FE – Be Careful 5,150–15,600 €

2.4-litre four-cylinder with VVT-i and an aluminium block. Same porous cylinder head issue as the 1AZ-FE on early build years (elevated oil consumption). Toyota extended the warranty. Later versions better.

Fun Factor? Decent

Highlander XU20 four-cylinder — the budget SUV

155 hp four-cylinder in an SUV: fine for daily use, thin under load. Same 2AZ-FE oil consumption as the Camry. For city traffic and light duty: works.

Engine Weaknesses 6

!! Systematic oil consumption due to faulty piston design

Toyota issued an official TSB and a Limited Service Campaign: the 2AZ-FE consumes excessive oil due to factory-underspec oil control rings.

Symptoms: Oil consumption over 1 L/1,000 km; bluish exhaust smoke; engine warning light; seized piston rings

1,500–4,000 € from 100,000 km
!! Head gasket failure

As with the related 1AZ-FE, the head gasket on the 2AZ-FE can fail, aggravated by thread failures in the engine block. Typical AZ weakness.

Symptoms: Coolant loss; white exhaust smoke; foaming in the oil; engine overheating

1,000–2,500 € from 130,000 km
!! Balance shaft plastic gear wearing out

The plastic balance shaft gear on the 2AZ-FE can disintegrate and distribute debris through the oil circuit. The problem mainly affects older high-mileage vehicles and leads to elevated repair costs from consequential damage.

Symptoms: Metallic grinding noises, metal swarf in the oil, oil pressure drop

600–2,000 € from 180,000 km
!! Head bolt thread damage in aluminium block

In the aluminium block of the 2AZ-FE the M11 head bolt threads can strip during overheating or incorrect assembly. Toyota developed revised bolts that workshops should use for any cylinder head work.

Symptoms: Coolant loss, difficult running after cylinder head work, compression drop

300–1,200 € from 150,000 km
!! Thermostat and water pump wear

The thermostat and water pump are typical wear items on the 2AZ-FE. A faulty thermostat can force coolant out under excess pressure. Aisin components are recommended.

Symptoms: Coolant loss, overheating, thermostat stuck either open or closed

150–500 € from 100,000 km
! EVAP system fault

The 2AZ-FE shows issues with the EVAP system (evaporative emission control), particularly the charcoal canister. Fault codes appear without causing immediate driveability problems.

Symptoms: Engine warning light, EVAP system fault codes, P0446 or similar codes

100–400 € from 100,000 km

Vehicle Weaknesses 1

!! Other Gleiche 1MZ-FE-Problematik wie beim Camry XV30. Toyota Reparaturprogramm abgelaufen. Ölwechsel-Historie beim Kauf prüfen.

Same 1MZ-FE issue as the Camry XV30. Toyota repair program expired. Check oil change history when buying.

1,500–5,000 € from 100,000 km

Reports & Tests

nhtsa_complaints NHTSA Complaint Summary 2026-03
Below Average

1644 owner complaints filed with NHTSA (2001–2007). Most reported: Brakes (248), Visibility (240), Cruise Control (215).