Highlanders tend to stay on the road a long time, so when an engine finally gives out, most owners would rather replace it than replace the whole SUV. If you're shopping for a used Toyota Highlander engine for sale, the first job is pinning down which engine your Highlander actually has. Toyota has fitted more than half a dozen gas and hybrid engines to this model since 2001, and a few of them share a displacement without sharing parts.
Toyota Highlander Engine Options by Year
| Model years | Generation | Engines offered |
|---|---|---|
| 2001–2003 | 1st | 2.4L 2AZ-FE I4, 3.0L 1MZ-FE V6 |
| 2004–2007 | 1st | 2.4L 2AZ-FE I4, 3.3L 3MZ-FE V6; Hybrid 3.3L V6 (2006–2007) |
| 2008–2013 | 2nd | 3.5L 2GR-FE V6, 2.7L 1AR-FE I4 (2009–2013); Hybrid 3.3L V6 (2008–2010), 3.5L V6 (2011–2013) |
| 2014–2016 | 3rd | 3.5L 2GR-FE V6, 2.7L 1AR-FE I4, 3.5L V6 hybrid |
| 2017–2019 | 3rd | 3.5L 2GR-FKS V6, 2.7L 1AR-FE I4, 3.5L V6 hybrid |
| 2020–2022 | 4th | 3.5L 2GR-FKS V6, 2.5L A25A-FXS hybrid I4 |
| 2023 | 4th | 2.4L T24A-FTS turbo I4, 2.5L A25A-FXS hybrid I4 |
A few points from that table trip people up:
- There are two 3.5L V6s. The 2GR-FE ran from 2008 to 2016. For 2017, Toyota switched to the 2GR-FKS, which adds direct injection alongside port injection and was paired with a new 8-speed automatic. They are not a simple swap for each other.
- There are also two 2.4L engines. The 2.4L in a 2001–2007 Highlander is the naturally aspirated 2AZ-FE. The 2.4L in a 2023 is the T24A-FTS turbo four that replaced the V6. Nothing interchanges between them.
- Hybrid engines are their own parts. A Highlander Hybrid engine is built to work with the electric drive system, so order a hybrid unit for a hybrid and a gas-only unit for everything else.
Shop by year: 2007, 2012, 2015, 2019 and 2022 Highlander engines.
Finding the Right Used Toyota Highlander Engine for Sale
Matching a Toyota engine works a little differently than on a Ford or a Chevy truck, where the engine code sits in the 8th VIN digit.
- Check the 5th character of the VIN. On Highlanders it identifies the engine type. On a 2020–2022 model, for example, Z is the gas 3.5L V6 (2GR-FKS), while A and B are the 2.5L hybrid with front-wheel or all-wheel drive.
- Confirm the model year from the 10th character so you're comparing the right generation.
- Note the drive type and options. Front-drive vs. all-wheel drive and details like an engine oil cooler can change brackets and fittings on otherwise identical engines.
- Compare the listing. Each engine we list shows the model year, engine size, recorded mileage and grade.
Our guide on how to match a used engine to your car by VIN code covers the process step by step. If you'd rather not guess, send us the VIN and we'll confirm the match.
Why Highlander Owners Replace an Engine
Most Highlander engine replacement jobs come down to the same few causes:
- Overheating after a cooling system failure, which can warp heads or damage the block
- Oil starvation from a leak or skipped oil changes, leading to bearing or cam wear
- Timing belt neglect on the older V6s. Toyota lists a timing belt on the 2001–2007 Highlander V6 and on the 2006–2010 Highlander Hybrid's V6. The 4-cylinders and the 2008-and-later V6s use a timing chain.
- High mileage that makes a rebuild quote hard to justify
Mileage matters more than age on a used unit. Our article on how many miles is good for a used engine explains what to look for.
What Comes With a State Auto Parts Engine
- Tested and graded engines with the donor vehicle's recorded mileage on every listing
- 2-year limited parts warranty on the block and internal parts, when a qualified technician installs the engine within 10 business days of delivery
- Free shipping to commercial addresses in the lower 48 states, with most orders arriving 3–5 business days after processing
- No core deposit, so your old engine stays with you
- Returns within 30 days with prior written authorization (a 25% handling fee applies)
Need a gearbox too? Browse our used Toyota Highlander transmissions.
Talk to a Highlander Engine Specialist
The second-generation 3.5L V6 is one of the most requested Highlander engines, like this 2012 Highlander 3.5L engine, Grade A. Whatever year you drive, call (800) 241-8053 with your VIN and we'll find the engine that fits.