Engine Replacement due to lack of maintenance

Smokin · Dec 12, 2016

So I bought a 2013 Highlander about 3 weeks ago. No issues over my 2 night test drive and it's a certified used vehicle (purchased from a Dodge dealer). Long story short, it started emitting smoke from the exhaust about a week after the purchase. Took it to my local Toyota dealer and they tell me that I need a new engine and that the repair is not covered by warranty due to improper maintenance.

Dodge has been fairly helpful through these events and has offered to take the vehicle back and find me another but it is becoming a challenge to find my mix of trim, kms, and vehicle age. My question that I'm hoping someone here can help me with is this:

If I were to have Dodge go through with the engine replacement, what other issues might I be facing with a vehicle that had little or no maintenance done in its first 3 years? It's only got 63,000km on it. Am I running a big risk if I go that route?

Thanks in advance!

Blackness · Dec 12, 2016

You should be good to go at that mielage... the original owner neglecete dot change the oil for 3 years... but other systems typically don't need attention til about 60k....

Once you get the new engine, do the typical 60 mantenance on it, and you should be good...

Ralph6410 · Dec 12, 2016

I.. would wonder how your local Toyota Dealer determined the only fix was to replace the engine. I.. would want another opinion with some validation..

twinster2 · Dec 12, 2016

All I can say is I wouldn't trust a Dodge dealer to replace a Toyota engine. Also, it probably won't be a new engine. More likely it will be a low mileage or refurbished engine. Anyway, if it were me, I would look for another Highlander.

Rolling Thunder · Dec 12, 2016

Give it back to the Dodge dealer and begin your search again. When buying used you need to be flexible with trim, mileage, color, etc so don't jump at the first one. Go to a Toyota dealer to buy a Highlander.

cb91710 · Dec 12, 2016

This.

I've purchased two Toyotas from my local Chevy dealer and they were great trucks... put a combined 400k on the two of them.
But I would not expect Toyota to warranty them for something like this (both of mine were actually out of 3/36, so it wouldn't have mattered anyway).
Dodge sold you a damaged vehicle.
They probably didn't notice that it was any worse than their normal inventory which is why it passed their pre-owned certification >

Greasymechtech · Dec 12, 2016

Certified for what? Paper checklist? Certified is a stupid marketing term and means little.

Hand it back and find a non-certified vehicle with a history of maintenance.

becks · Dec 12, 2016

Walk away.

Engine Replacement due to lack of maintenance

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