Any recall on 2001 Toyota Highlander? Problems on burning engine oil.....?

Question

I own an 2001 Toyota Highlander, 4WD, Limited. It has problem for the engine oil since 2005 and it's getting worst. Since 2005, after I drove a long highway trip (about 4.5 hrs, one way, and only once a year), there will be engine oil linkage afterward. It's not much, and it went away afterward. But I just went to a trip and drove 4.5 hrs on highway. Then the oil light went on. So I went to a gas station and check the oil, it's almost gone (also that I had oil change in the dealership two day before the trip)!! I added three bottle of engine oil. And when I headed back (another 4.5 hrs drive on highway), another three bottle of engine oil again!! We called Toyata and they insist that they is no recall on the engine for Highlander. I don't think a normal car that have only 50,000KM should have this problem! Any suggestion? And just see anyone that own a Highlander has the same problem.

Answer 1

There is no recall, but to have to add 3 bottles of oil to the engine, it means that during that trip you damaged the engine (most likely the piston rings were damaged and worn down). Which is why you'll continue burning oil until you get an engine rebuild.

It's possible the place you had the oil change done, that the oil change you had done prior to your trip, didn't put enough oil in the engine, but it will be very difficult to prove at this point.

As unfortunate as it is, the only way to fix it now is to have the engine rebuilt.

Answer 2

First off, no manufacturer will "recall" this type of item unless its a safety concern. If an item is known to fail and will cause the vehicle to be unsafe to operate the government or manufacturer can perform a recall or campaign to correct that particular problem. Burning oil isn't a safety item so there will never be a recall on this type of problem.
I would take the car to your Toyota dealer and have the problem correctly diagnosed and repaired.

By the way, I work at a Toyota dealer repair shop

Answer 3

if the car is smoking then it is burning oil if not it means the car is leaking oil. may be they have a recall on leaking oil from the engine or warranty if you have may cover it