Toyota Venza AV10

2.5-litre four-cylinder fitted in the mid-size class and in compact SUVs, valued for its smoothness and economy. The known weakness is elevated oil consumption from low-tension piston rings, for which the maker issued a technical service bulletin and settled a class action. Early years show a documented camshaft-gear rattle on cold start. The water pump with its plastic impeller wears out and should be checked for leaks when buying, as should the oil level. Overall, once warranty repairs have been done, it is a solid, durable engine.

• !! TSB 0194-14: Toyota extended warranty. Low-tension piston rings glaze over and increase oil consumption. from 100,000 km

  TSB 0194-14: Toyota extended warranty. Low-tension piston rings, same root cause as predecessor 2AZ-FE.

  Symptoms: Oil level drop between changes, blue smoke possible
  2,000–4,500 $
  Ad piston rings Toyota 2AR-FEoil ring Camry 2.5
• !! Flügelrad verschleißt, Dichtungen veröden. Standardmäßig ab ~130.000 km einplanen. from 130,000 km

  Impeller wears, seals degrade. Standard replacement from ~80k miles.

  Symptoms: Coolant loss, drip under engine
  400–900 $
  Ad water pump Toyota 2AR-FEcoolant pump Camry XV50
• ! TSB T-SB-0041-13: brief knock on cold start. Camshaft gear must be replaced. 2012 model year only.

  TSB T-SB-0041-13: brief knocking on cold start. Camshaft gear unit needs replacement. 2012 model year only.

  Symptoms: Brief knocking/rattle on cold start, disappears after seconds
  300–600 $
  Ad camshaft gear Toyota 2AR-FEcam gear Camry 2012

3.5-litre V6 — Toyota's universal six-cylinder from midsize cars up to SUVs, balanced between smoothness and durability. Timing chain, maintenance-free. The cam tower oil leak occurs as on the big V8 but less often; on early build years also watch for leaking intake-manifold hoses. Budget for a water pump from around 130,000 km — it often signals itself with a light coolant weep. Oil changes every 10,000 to 15,000 km. Overall one of the most reliable V6s on the market, with documented lifespans past 400,000 km.

• !! VVT-i oil line rupture (engine damage risk!) from 60,000 km

  Rubber VVT-i oil supply hose on pre-April 2008 engines can suddenly rupture and dump all engine oil in 30 seconds. Toyota LSC 90K: replacement with metal line.

  Symptoms: Sudden large oil puddle under engine, oil pressure warning, engine noise
  100–400 $
  Ad VVT-i oil line 2GR-FE metal15710-31030
• !! Kolbenring-Defekt — exzessiver Ölverbrauch (2007–2011) from 60,000 km

  Defekte Kolbenringe verursachen bis 1 Liter Ölverlust pro 1.000 km. Toyota gab nur TSB statt Rückruf aus. 285+ Beschwerden beim Camry V6 allein.

  Symptoms: Blauer Rauch beim Beschleunigen, Motor braucht 1L Öl/1.500–3.000 km
  2,000–8,000 $
• !! Cam tower RTV sealant ages — oil leak at front of engine from 150,000 km

  RTV sealant at cam tower ages. Same issue as Toyota V8 engines, less common on V6.

  Symptoms: Oil smell, oil trail at front of engine
  800–2,500 $
  Ad 11214-31030 valve cover gasket 2GR-FE RH11213-0P010 valve cover gasket 2GR-FE LHcam tower reseal 2GR-FE 3.5 V6

+ 2 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses