2GR-FKS Engine Failure

We bought our first Toyota 2 months ago. It was a 2019 Highlander LE+AWD. Yesterday the engine failed at about 2,700 miles. It has averaged 16MPG since we got it. It started knocking and the dealer found lots of metal in the oil and filter. They said it was at minimum getting a new short block. They gave us a RAV4 as a loaner. I explained to them we bought an 8 seater and they gave us a 5 seater. The best they can do is a van on January 1st 2020. I'm not sure I'm comfortable with a rebuilt engine. Our 2011 Durango 5.7L Hemi we traded in at 172k miles. Is this engine commonly bad? I'm not sure how I feel about this whole thing. I have owned a lot of brands and never had an engine failure.

 

Its not getting rebuilt. Your getting a brand new block. Seems like shitty luck cause the 2gr is used in many vehicle's and I've never heard of an engine needing to be replaced.

 

A short block isnt all new parts from my understanding it's the block and a few other components but most of the build come from the parts in the old engine?

 

Seems like really bad luck. Id be curious to know what they tell you as to the ultimate cause of failure

 

right from below the heads down. so yeah they will use old stuff but your block is new

 

Bad luck OP. But no, Lexus does not use bad engines. They would not be consistently recognized as the most reliable auto manufacturer if they did.

 

Damn, sucks you got the one bad one as nothing is 100% failproof when it comes to engines and moving parts even for Toyota, I would definitely reach out to the dealer and discuss the posibility of either a) a new vehicle b) a different loaner, if their responses don't satisfy you I would contact Toyota Corporate who is handling your case. I would also contact corportate letting them know something along the lines of "this is my first toyota, I've now lost faith in this vehicle and the brand, etc." they will ask how they can fix this for you and you respond like "maybe a warranty would help, who knows what else will fail" many of us did this with the first 3rd gens. My 16 had 2 rear differentials replaced to no solution and they gave me a complimentary 125k/8yr platinum bumper to bumper warranty. Good luck!

 

If it makes you feel any better, I'm more concerned about the other parts on my truck breaking before the engine and take that how you will lol.

I would still call it a one in a million fluke though

 

It's a fluke. They did say minimum *according to you* so if they find a VVT actuator went out or something else head related they will replace that also. Some one thing did fail. I do wonder why Toyo. is so tight with new engines (and other large hardware items) though when they are still being built. Like you, I'd rather have a factory built than tech. built. Sorry humans, gimme robots.

 

Talked to the Dealer today. Our Highlander had a Rod/Rod bearing failure at 2,700 miles. So far they replaced a short block, put it together found oil leaked, disassembled and found a bad gasket, ordered, installed gasket and reassembled engine and found more oil leaks. They ordered another gasket thatis supposed to arrive today. Is there any chance this thing is reliable going forward?

 

call Toyota Corp and tell them all the details. you'll probably get a warranty bump.

 

Yeah, they gave us a Platinum 8 year 125k mile bumper to bumper with no deductible.

 

As reliable of an engine is their is in todays modern vehicles that isn’t diesel. Nothing is perfect and you’re definitely having bad luck. These engines are known to last and be extremely reliable as Toyota/Lexus uses them in several of their top selling vehicles

 

8 year, 125k is friggin amazing. Seems Toyota can get a bad rap on here sometimes, but this seems like it worked out very well

 

Yep, they did the same for me with my rear diff issues on my 16 and a few others who had the same issue. Reason I'm sticking with Toyota, some of the dealers maybe slimey but the brand itself has awesome customer service.

 

My Tacoma had metal in the oil at 29,000 miles. Took it in they said don’t worry next thing I know piston 5 decided to leave the block. 1 New long block later 0 miles on the new engine abs ready to hit the trails again. All under warranty still sending it

 

I needed a new short block on my 16 .. it happens I guess. Done under warrantee, hasn't had any problems after that. Getting close to 80k on it now.