Overview
The story
80/20 Automotive says the 3.5L 2GR-FE has been in many Toyota, Lexus and Lotus models since 2005. A published reference lists it in the RAV4 from 2005 to 2012 and the Highlander from 2007 to 2016, among others. It varies the timing of both cams. A published reference, a seller's guide (unofficial)
The 2GR-FKS followed in the 2015 Lexus RX 350. It adds direct injection beside the port injectors and can run on the Atkinson cycle. A published reference lists it in the Tacoma from 2015 to 2023 and the Highlander from 2017. A published reference
Specs
Versions
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Port injected 2GR-FE A published reference
About 268 to 314 hp, depending on the vehicle
In 6th gen Toyota Camry, 2007–2011; 7th gen Toyota Camry, 2012–2017; 2nd gen Toyota Highlander, 2008–2013; 3rd gen Toyota Highlander, 2014–2016; 3rd gen Toyota RAV4, 2006–2012
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Direct and port injected 2GR-FKS A published reference
278 hp in the Tacoma, 295 hp in the Highlander
In 8th gen Toyota Camry, 2018–2024; 3rd gen Toyota Highlander, 2017–2019; 4th gen Toyota Highlander, 2020–2022; 3rd gen Toyota Tacoma, 2016–2023
Figures
- Displacement: 3.5L (3,456 cc) A published reference
- Bore × stroke: 94 × 83 mm A published reference
- Block and head: Aluminum block, aluminum heads A published reference
- Valvetrain: Twin overhead cams per bank driven by a chain, four valves per cylinder A published reference
Watch out
Faults owners and the press report, and how to spot each one.
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Rubber VVT-i oil line that can burst 2GR-FE, mostly to 2010
One source so far
Check: Look for oil around the back of the engine and ask whether the rubber VVT-i oil hose has been replaced with the metal line.
80/20 Automotive says the leak mainly affects engines up to 2010, when Toyota switched to a metal line, and that a big leak can appear out of nowhere and drain the oil quickly. It recommends replacing the rubber hose before it fails. A seller's guide (unofficial)
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Water pump failure 2GR-FE
One source so far
Check: Look for coolant at the front of the engine and watch the temperature gauge.
80/20 Automotive says failures are most common on early engines, that the pump was updated around 2010, and that a pump failing inside makes the engine overheat quickly, so it is an urgent repair. A seller's guide (unofficial)
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Noisy idler pulley 2005 to 2008 2GR-FE
One source so far
Check: Listen for squeaking or rattling from the drive belt at idle.
80/20 Automotive says the idler pulley troubled early engines, especially 2005 to 2008 RAV4s and Highlanders, and that Toyota fitted a heavy-duty pulley around 2009. A seller's guide (unofficial)
Owning
Maintenance
No service schedule is added yet.
What owners and buyers say
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Sought after
Reliable when maintained 2GR-FE
One source so far
80/20 Automotive says the 2GR-FE earns above-average remarks for reliability, will likely be mostly trouble-free to 200,000 miles, and that some go well past that. A seller's guide (unofficial)