Toyota 2.4 2AZ-FE Engine Problems & Reliability!
August 8, 2023Are interested in buying a Toyota with the 2.4L engine and want to learn more about the 2.4 2AZ-FE engine problems and reliability? If that’s correct, you are in the right place because, in this article, there will be a lot to cover.
Doing your own research before you decide to purchase a car with a certain engine is always a good idea. You just don’t want to end up with a lemon that will drain your nerves and also your wallet. This is why we are here to help you out with your trouble by pinpointing these problems for you and making your life a lot easier.
First, we are going to cover the specs of the 2.4 engine and learn more about the numbers that this engine makes. Then, we are going to cover the applications in which you can find this engine. Once we clear that out of our way, we will dive into the 2.4 2AZ-FE engine problems and see what kind of problems this engine has. And lastly, we will give the engine a reliability score. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the article.
2.4 2AZ-FE Engine Specs
Now, before we dive into the 2.4 2AZ-FE engine problems, let’s start with the specs of the 2.4 engine. For this article, we are interested in the 2.4 2AZ-FE engine.
This engine belongs to the AZ family of engines produced by Toyota in the early 00s. These engines are pretty old but still widely used in Toyota models even after so long. Mainly because they are very durable and reliable. But more on that, later on.
The important thing about the 2.4 engine is that this engine comes as an inline-4 and has a 2.4L in displacement. The block and head are aluminum and this engine uses a very advanced DOHC head with VVT-i, which is Toyota’s variable valve timing.
The important thing about this engine is that it is naturally aspirated. So, no turbo, fewer headaches for you as a future owner.
Nevertheless, here are the full specs of this 2.4 2AZ-FE engine.
- Configuration: straight-4
- Displacement: 2.4L
- Cylinder Bore: 88.5 mm
- Piston Stroke: 96 mm
- Block & Head Material: Aluminum
- Head Design: DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
- Fuel Injection: MPI
- Aspiration: Naturally Aspirated
- Horsepower: 160 -168 hp
- Torque: 162 lb-ft (220 N-m)
2.4 2AZ-FE Engine Applications
The 2.4 2AZ-FE engine was included in the following models.
- 2009 – 2010 Toyota Corolla
- 2002 – 2011 Toyota Camry
- 2009 – 2011 Toyota Matrix
- 2004 – 2012 Toyota RAV4
- 2000 – 2007 Toyota Highlander
- 2000 – 2013 Toyota Harrier
- 2003 – 2009 Toyota Avensis
- 2006 – 2012 Toyota Blade
- 2001 – 2010 Toyota Ipsum
- 2008 – 2015 Toyota Vellfire
- 2002 – 2015 Toyota Alphard
- 2000 – 2019 Toyota Estima/Previa/Tarago
- 2007 – 2013 Toyota Mark X ZiO
- 2009 – 2010 Pontiac Vibe
- 2005 – 2010 Scion tC
- 2008 – 2015 Scion xB
Common 2.4 2AZ-FE Engine Problems
Now let’s list the most common 2.4 2AZ-FE engine problems.
- Spark Plug & Coil Failure
- High Oil Consumption
- Cylinder Head Bolt Failure
- Head Gasket Failure
- Low Lifespan
Now that we have listed the common 2.4 2AZ-FE engine problems, we can move on and learn more about these problems in detail and see when and how they appear, as well as the symptoms they produce.
This is extremely important for you as a future owner because you will be able to tell by the symptoms whether or not the car you intend to buy is affected by the problem or not. So, let’s get started.
1. Spark Plug & Coil Failure
The first problem on our list is the spark plug and ignition coil failure. For those who are not into cars, we are talking about ignition components.
Many of you are probably familiar with and know that the spark plug produces a spark, this spark then ignites the fuel.
On each cylinder, there is an individual spark plug with a total of four spark plugs. And on top of each spark plug, there is an ignition coil.
This ignition coil is basically an electric transformer. This component transforms the low 12-volt supply power into a high current that has enough cranking amps to create a spark and ignite the fuel.
Sometimes, especially in engines this old, these components start to fail. Whenever the spark plug fails you will start having issues with the check engine light and engine misfires. The engine will run rough and also the fuel consumption will drop.
This is why on some of these higher mileage engines, we advise replacing these components if they start to cause problems. Replacement is not that expensive after all and is also a good DIY beginner job.
Now let’s continue with the next 2.4 2AZ-FE engine problems.
2. High Oil Consumption
A more serious problem with the 2.4 2AZ-FE engine is the high oil consumption. This problem is the deal breaker when it comes to this engine.
These engines have a tendency of burning oil and that is by design. So, engines as low as 45,000 miles can start to drink oil.
And this oil consumption can be as serious as 1 quart per 1,200 miles. Sometimes even more. So, we can say that this engine is a serious oil consumer.
For this problem, Toyota issued a Warranty Enhancement Program that affected 1,7 million cars with this engine. If the engine burns more than 1 quart for every 1,200 miles and has less than 150,000 miles, you can participate in this program.
So, make sure that the engine you intend to buy was already recalled for this problem and that it is not burning oil because it could burn your wallet rather quickly.
3. Cylinder Head Bolt Failure
Another serious problem with this engine is the cylinder head bolt failure. For those who don’t know, a head bolt is a bolt that holds the cylinder head to the block.
There are a number of bolts on each cylinder head. And on these engines, these bolts tend to fail. And when they fail, they create problems.
Usually, there is the coolant that starts to sip from the back of the engine. In this case, it is really important that you sort out the problem.
Unless you want the engine to overheat, overheating can really damage the engine since this is an aluminum block that is not very known for its durability.
Now let’s move on to the next 2.4 2AZ-FE engine problems.
4. Head Gasket Failure
The next problem is closely connected to the head bolt failure. Whenever these head bolts fail, they will allow coolant to sip and this will cause serious loss of coolant.
This also means that your head gasket is blown. Solving this problem will require that you replace the head gasket, resurface the cylinder head and replace the bolts.
Overall, the whole operation can be very expensive to do because a lot of machining work has to be done in order to bring the head back in good shape.
And if the engine has seriously overheated, this could result in an inability to repair it and you will have to replace it with a used or a new unit.
5. Low Lifespan
This engine also has a low lifespan because of the problems that we mentioned previously. These engines in the best-case scenario will last up to 300,000 miles.
But whenever they get to 200,000 miles, they are already pretty serious oil burners. So, if you are too tired of adding oil to your engine, you will highly likely need a new short block.
A short block is the block itself with a new crankshaft and pistons assembled by Toyota. This is a bolt-on component, you just remove the old block and swap it out with a new one, and the problem is solved.
But this will also come at a price. That’s why you need to beware of these issues before you decide to purchase a car with this engine.
2.4 2AZ-FE Engine Reliability
This engine just like any Toyota engine is really reliable, it will not let you down. The only drawback is the oil consumption that it has.
This oil consumption in some cases can be extremely serious that will require a quart or more per 1,000 miles.
So, not everyone likes to top off their engine oil constantly. This is why we cannot recommend this engine. Especially if the engine has 100,000 miles.
Conclusion
In this article, we have covered quite a bit when it comes to the Toyota 2AZ-FE 2.4 engine problems.
First, we learned more about the 2.4 engine and we covered the specs that this engine is producing, then we learned more about the applications in which you can find this engine, as well as its common problems.
Lastly, we discussed the reliability of this engine. Overall, the 2.4 engine is reliable, except for the problem with oil consumption that ruins its reliability score.
FAQ
Now let’s answer some frequently asked questions.
How Much Horsepower The 2.4 2AZ-FE Engine Makes?
This engine produces between 160 and 168 horsepower. It really depends on the application in which this engine is included.
What Are The Common 2.4 2AZ-FE Engine Problems?
Common problems with this engine are high oil consumption and head bolt failure. These problems ruin the reliability of this engine. So, the lifespan of this engine is pretty average at only 200,000 miles. In the end, these engines are serious oil burners that waste a lot of oil.
Is The 2.4 2AZ-FE Engine Reliable?
Overall, at low miles, this engine is pretty reliable, but when the engine reaches 100,000 miles, the engine starts to consume serious amounts of oil. This is why we advise that you avoid high-mile engines because these engines are serious oil consumers and do not have good longevity in the long run.
