Shifterati1st gen Toyota Highlander 2001–2007
This page is a draft. It has not been approved yet, so read it with care.
Watch out for
Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.
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Stripped head bolt threads in the 2.4L four All years Walk away if found
What to check: Look for coolant loss, coolant at the back of the engine where the head meets the block, and any history of overheating. Ask whether the head bolt threads were repaired.
The top problem for the 2003 on CarComplaints.com. Nineteen owners of 2003 four-cylinders on one page of its reports describe coolant leaking at the rear of the head after the bolt threads in the block let go, mostly past 100,000 miles, with a thread repair or a new engine to follow. Two owners of 2002 four-cylinders describe the same. Engine Builder, citing AERA, reports stripped rear head bolt threads on some 2002–2006 Toyota 2.4L 2AZFE engines; Wikipedia names the 2AZ-FE as the Highlander's 2.4L.
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Hybrid inverter failure All years
What to check: Ask a Toyota dealer whether recalls 11V342000 and 13V396000 were done, and watch for hybrid warning lights on a long drive.
Two recalls covered heat damage in the inverter, which can put the car in limp-home mode or shut the hybrid system down. Edmunds' 2006 page carries owners' reports of inverter failures, and SlashGear reports owners of Hybrids dying at speed.
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Engine oil gelling, or sludge 2001 One source so far
What to check: Ask for the oil change records.
In 2002 Toyota offered a one-time goodwill policy on oil gelling for 1997–2001 models, the Highlander among them, for owners who could show regular maintenance. Toyota put it down mainly to oil changes missed, short trips and cold weather.
Sources 10