2004 Toyota Highlander engine problems
16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine on the 2004 Toyota Highlander — 6% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Hello, I am the Buyer of the subject Vehicle, Upon doing my research, I found out several reports stating that The subject vehicle's 2.4L engine has manufacturing defect, that causes Head Bolts to get stripped/melt down in to oil causing Engine failures and Life threating risk in the middle of the…”
filed May 22, 2026
“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…”
filed Feb 12, 2017
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related recalls
- Engine and Engine CoolingCampaign 11V539000 · Nov 9, 2011
Engine problems in other Highlander years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Highlander | 4 | 10% |
| 2023 Highlander | 27 | 16% |
| 2022 Highlander | 10 | 4% |
| 2021 Highlander | 44 | 9% |
| 2020 Highlander | 16 | 5% |
| 2019 Highlander | 69 | 15% |
| 2018 Highlander | 33 | 13% |
| 2017 Highlander | 44 | 17% |
| 2016 Highlander | 9 | 8% |
| 2015 Highlander | 9 | 5% |
| 2014 Highlander | 3 | 2% |
| 2013 Highlander | 31 | 15% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2004 Toyota Highlander
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.