Toyota 2AZFE – Worst Engine Or Not?

At Powertrain Products, we get a lot of requests for our “Worst Engine Or Not?” series, but few engines have been as highly requested as the Toyota 2AZFE. A larger displacement version of the 1AZFE engine, the 2AZ found its way into a variety of popular Toyota cars, including the Camry and RAV4, as well as several Scion vehicles.

So without further delay, let’s look at the history of the Toyota 2AZFE engine, exploring its pros and cons and cover how Powertrain Products improves on this popular Toyota powertrain.

History Of The Toyota 2AZFE Engine

The Toyota 2AZFE is a lightweight all-aluminum engine produced from 2000 to 2018. Designed as a 2.4-liter version of the 2.0-liter 1AZFE, it quickly became commonplace in various Toyota and Scion models like the Camry, RAV4, Corolla XRS, Scion xB, and the Scion tC. Designed to offer better performance than the 1AZFE while retaining its efficiency, the 2AZFE also included a hybrid variant called the 2AZFXE, which found its way into several hybrid vehicles.

Pros Of The Toyota 2AZFE Engine:

1. Fuel Efficiency: One of the standout features of the 2AZFE engine is its commendable fuel efficiency. Toyota engineered this engine to deliver a good balance between power output and gas mileage.
2. Reliability: Many owners praise the 2AZFE for its reliability. With proper maintenance, this engine has proven to be durable and capable of reaching high mileage without major issues.
3. Versatility: The 2AZFE engine’s versatility is evident in its application across various vehicle models. From sedans to SUVs, it has powered a diverse range of small Toyota and Scion vehicles.

Cons Of The Toyota 2AZFE Engine:

1. Oil Consumption Issues: One of the most criticized aspects of the 2AZFE engine is its tendency to consume oil. Some owners have reported oil consumption beginning in as little as 50,000 miles, which can lead to other problems if the engine is not properly maintained.
2. Weak Cylinder Head Bolts: Another common issue was related to the cylinder head bolts which are known to weaken and also strip their threads. This caused engine coolant to leak past the head gasket into the cylinders, which created several issues.
3. Catalytic Converter Issues: While not a fault of the engine itself, it’s common for the 2AZFE to suffer a failure resulting from a clogged catalytic converter. Often, the check engine codes related to the failed catalytic converter condition are ignored, which results in complete engine failure.

How Powertrain Products Improves The Toyota 2AZFE

It’s essential to approach the debate around the Toyota 2AZFE with a balanced perspective. While it had some significant issues, those problems weren’t enough to consider it one of the worst engines. In fact, many owners have had positive experiences with this engine, racking up over 200,000 miles without any issues.

If you find you need to replace your engine, Powertrain Products offers the following versions of the Toyota 2AZFE:

• 2001 to 2007 2.4 L4 Engine (part code 190)
• 2006 to 2007 2.4 L4 Engine (part code 606)
• 2004 to 2005 2.4 L4 Engine (part code 607)
• 2006 to 2008 2.4 L4 Engine (part code 608)
• 2006 to 2008 2.4 L4 Engine (part code 609)

Remanufactured Toyota 2AZFE engines from Powertrain Products utilize improved MLS (multi-layer steel) head gaskets and Viton valve seals for better performance and longevity. Additionally, each engine we sell undergoes the following steps:

• Full disassembly and cleaning
• Magnaflux testing to check for microscopic cracks and fissures that will cause long-term failure
• CNC-machined deck surfaces
• New bearings, pistons, rings, lifters, valve seals, freeze plugs, galley plugs, and either a new timing chain or a new timing belt
• SIM testing with the cooling and oil systems fully pressurized and the crank spun at high RPM to verify compression and build quality.

Because of our rigorous remanufacturing process, we offer a standard 3-year standard warranty on all of our engines. That standard warranty can be upgraded to five or seven years or million miles, whichever comes first. For the ultimate protection – purchase our no-fault Pure Care™ Warranty.

If you’d like to know more about the Toyota 2AZFE engine, call us at 888-842-0023 or contact us online!