Toyota 2.7L Engine (2TR-FE): Longevity, Problems, And Specs

In the course of its history, Toyota had 3 different engines that shared the displacement of 2.7 liters. Yes, they were absolutely different in terms of technologies and while two of them were more or less experimental, the 2TR-FE model has found a lot of applications and is in production even now.

Today, we'll be talking about the Toyota 2.7L engine branded as 2TR-FE which has been used in Hilux, Land Cruiser, and other models and is a great example of reliable technologies. The engine doesn't have any titles for being very technological, extremely fuel efficient, or super powerful. But it gets its work done with a minimum of fuss.

Key features and my opinion about the engine

• Production years:2004-2024
• Average lifespan of 2TR-FE:260,000-290,000 miles
• Fuel supply type:port injection
• Power range:150-165 hp
• Fuel efficiency:average
• Engine block material:cast-iron
• Engine reliability score:high
• The most common problems:occasional oil leaks, vibrations when idling, weird sounds.

What should you know about the 2TR-FE Toyota engine?

This is the most popular 2.7L engine among all Japanese companies and maybe even in the world. The engine is pretty simple in its design, among the more or less modern technologies, you can think of VVT-I and Dula VVT-I in some models. The first 2TR-FE engine was made in 2003, so you can imagine this is not a very up-to-date unit.

It has had a lot of upgrades, especially for the valve control systems, but we should say that the engine still has its pros and cons that it had in 2003. The construction is pretty durable and doesn't look shabby at all. And this is what makes us feel positive about the engine.

Here are some things you should know before you read more about the engine:

• this is a relatively simply built 4-cylinder engine with 16 valves and a DOHC head which is a standard choice for the time of its engineering;
• the VVT-I was introduced right in the first models, this is variable valve timing engineered by Toyota that has its pros and cons but actually adds performance and mileage to its engines;
• with its power of 158 hp and 182 lb-ft torque, the engine is good for big vehicles and light trucks because it can tow and haul a lot;
• the average gas mileage for this engine is 21 mpg, but you may get more or less depending on the vehicle and condition of the unit;
• in 2015, the 2TR-FE got the upgraded Dual VVT-I system (for both intake and exhaust valves) and became a little more powerful and less thirsty for gas (at least according to the ads);
• balancing shafts were included in the block to avoid vibrations and other inconveniences with these vehicles.

The engine is pretty simple, naturally aspirated. It wasn't aimed to surprise everyone with its power and torque. This was the time when Toyota made engines to last. And probably this is one of the last decent L4 engines in the Toyota lineup. We don't mean in terms of technologies, of course, but in terms of durability and quality.

Yes, this is not the engine that will save up your money on fuel and on regular maintenance. But this is the kind of machine that is going to work and move your vehicle even after half a million miles. Of course, like every piece of technology, the 2TR-FE 2.7L Toyota engine is still not idyllic and will have its own portion of problems.

Where has the 2TR-FE been used?

Well, this is obviously an international engine of Toyota. It was used in Hilux, Land Cruiser Prado, Tacoma, Fortuner, HiAce, 4Runner for Malaysia, and also some local models for Australia, Bolivia, and Hong Kong. Hundreds of thousands of these engines were made all over the world and all of them prove the quality of Toyota technologies.

Now, in the US, you can only buy a new Tacoma with this engine under the hood. It's the base engine for the vehicle that equips the cheapest trims and basically serves as the main target for fleet cars. The engine is one of the most reliable of all trims and it offers relatively good mileage along with optimal performance for the truck.

What's the durability of the 2.7L Toyota engine?

Talking about durability, we should make an important remark: you should keep up with the maintenance. Otherwise, the engine will not show its best performance and lifespan. If you forget to change the oil when needed and to replace the filters regularly, the engine will clog with metal parts and other debris and will peacefully die much earlier than you expect this to happen.

On average, the 2TR-FE 2.7L Toyota engine will live about 280,000 miles. We've still seen some engines hit the 500,000-mile mark. But owners of those vehicles needed to replace piston rings, valve seals, and some other parts that are hard to get to. We've even seen one 2.7L engine hitting the 1-million-mile mark with just one serious repair in its history.

The secret to the needed durability is regular maintenance. Also, keep an eye on oil and coolant levels. If you overheat the engine, it will probably die or ask for an expensive repair. If you drive it with an extremely low oil level, it will probably die, too. So, don't ignore any signs of problems and always conduct the needed maintenance on time. This is all you need to make the 2TR-FE go much beyond the average lifespan.

What are the common problems of the 2.7L Toyota engine?

You should know that no vehicle comes without problems. Even the most expensive and technological engine will have its share of issues that will sometimes make you buy some parts and spend money on repair shops.

Here, we want to outline some of the major problems you will be facing if you decide to buy a new or used vehicle equipped with the 2TR-FE:

1. Oil leaks

This shouldn't be considered a very unique problem with this engine. But those front crankshaft oil seals will certainly get on your nerves. Some other seals may also need replacement.

The leaks are not only bad for the garage floor. They are bad for the engine in the long run. If the leak is massive, it can lead to low oil levels and bad oiling of the engine parts. This may lead to more serious problems.

2. Overloading

Unfortunately, a Tacoma is a too heavy vehicle for this engine. It sounds good that the engine has high torque that is early available at low RPM. But in fact, when you tow or haul something, the engine is overloaded.

If you just drive your truck as an SUV and never use it for towing something, the engine will live a long life. But if your Tacoma or Hilux is towing weights, the engine will struggle to live even to more or less decent mileage.

3. VVT-I problems

Earlier single VVT-I systems and also newer dual VVT-I are not very reliable. They may clog and stop working properly which will result in your engine vibrating, losing power, and showing poor performance.

Repairing this system is not as simple as it may seem. You will need professional help with this. But we should say that nearly all Toyota engines with VVT-I have these problems after they hit 100K miles.

4. Gas mileage

We've told you before that the engine is relatively fuel efficient. But when it comes to high load, the 4-cylinder engine becomes helpless and starts drinking fuel like crazy. If you are buying a truck for towing and hauling, look at other options because this one will disappoint you with its gas mileage.

What 2.7L engines are considered high-mileage ones?

A lot of readers ask us what's the best and the worst mileage for buying a Toyota with a certain engine. We can tell you that everything over 150,000 miles is a lot for the 2TR-FE. The 2.7L Toyota engine is obviously problematic after it hits that mark.

Also, you should understand how exactly this engine was used. Was it towing something all the time? Then any mileage should be considered high. But usually, if you buy a vehicle at 100K miles, you will have a lot of time and miles to enjoy it.

We wouldn't recommend buying a vehicle equipped with the 2TR-FE engine after 200,000 miles even if the price is very good. You will just spend all your money on the repair.

Final words

OK, now you know a little more about the 2.7-liter engine from Toyota and you certainly know whether you should buy it or not. We tried hard to gather more information than was available online. Also, we tried to compare the engine with other options from Toyota and other manufacturers to form our own opinion on it.

We can say that we wouldn't buy a Toyota powered by the 2TR-FE 2.7-liter engine because it pits limitations on how you should use it to expect optimal longevity. But other than that it's a very solid and durable engine.