Thinking about a Toyota with the new 2.4 turbo engine? You’re probably wondering if it’ll last like the legendary V6s Toyota’s known for. Here’s the honest truth about the T24A-FTS engine’s reliability, backed by real-world data and expert insights.
What Makes the 2.4 Turbo Different From Classic Toyota Engines
Toyota built its reputation on bulletproof naturally aspirated engines that routinely hit 300,000 miles. The 2.4 turbo represents a major shift in philosophy.
The T24A-FTS debuted in 2021 as part of Toyota’s Dynamic Force engine family. It cranks out 278 horsepower and 317-339 lb-ft of torque—significantly stronger than the V6 it replaced. You’ll find it in the Tacoma, Highlander, 4Runner, and Land Cruiser.
This isn’t just a regular engine with a turbo slapped on. Toyota engineered it from scratch for forced induction, using forged connecting rods, lightweight pistons with polymer coatings, and oil squirters that cool the pistons under boost. An integrated water-cooled exhaust manifold and dual injection system (combining direct and port fuel injection) set it apart from many competitor turbo engines.
The catch? More complexity means more potential failure points. Higher combustion pressures, elevated temperatures, and additional cooling circuits create challenges that naturally aspirated engines don’t face.
Real-World Reliability Data: The Four-Year Report Card
Here’s where Toyota 2.4 turbo reliability gets interesting. With roughly four years of service history, the engine shows a mixed but generally positive track record.
Most owners report trouble-free operation through 50,000-90,000 miles. That sounds good, but here’s the reality check: we don’t have solid data beyond 100,000 miles yet. Industry experts estimate these engines should reach 150,000-170,000 miles with proper maintenance—respectable, but short of Toyota’s traditional 200,000+ mile expectations.
The limited service history means you’re taking a calculated risk. Early indicators look promising, but time will tell if the 2.4 turbo joins Toyota’s hall of fame or becomes a footnote in their engineering history.
Known Issues You Should Know About
No engine is perfect, and the T24A-FTS has had its share of growing pains.
The Hesitation Problem
Toyota issued Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0087-23 addressing hesitation and surging in 2023 Highlander models. Owners reported weird throttle behavior during acceleration—the engine would hesitate, then surge forward unpredictably.
The fix? An ECU reprogramming that resolved the issue. Not catastrophic, but definitely annoying if you experienced it before the update.
Transmission Troubles in the Tacoma
More concerning are the transmission failures in 2024 Tacomas. Toyota released TSB T-SB-0076-D24 documenting automatic transmission failures occurring as early as 1,000 miles. Complete transmission and torque converter replacements were required.
While technically not an engine problem, it affects the powertrain’s overall reputation and your ownership experience.
What’s Not Breaking
Here’s the good news: the engine itself hasn’t shown widespread catastrophic failures. The D-4S dual injection system prevents carbon buildup on intake valves—a common plague for direct-injection-only turbo engines. No epidemic of turbocharger failures, oil system problems, or blown engines has emerged in owner forums or NHTSA databases.
Oil Changes: Ignore Toyota’s Recommendation
This might sound crazy, but you shouldn’t follow Toyota’s official maintenance schedule for oil changes.
The 5,000-Mile Rule
Toyota recommends 10,000-mile oil change intervals. Independent mechanics and oil analysis reports tell a different story. Car Care Nut and other experts strongly recommend 5,000-mile intervals for turbocharged applications.
Oil analysis reports from owners consistently show significant degradation at the 5,000-mile mark. Turbocharged engines run hotter and put more stress on oil than naturally aspirated engines. Don’t cheap out here—more frequent changes cost way less than a turbocharger replacement.
What Oil to Use
The engine requires 0W-20 synthetic oil meeting Toyota specifications. Synthetic isn’t optional with turbos—it’s essential for proper lubrication and cooling, especially for the turbocharger’s high-speed bearings.
Several mechanics also recommend using premium gasoline despite Toyota’s 87-octane approval. Premium fuel reduces the risk of knock and low-speed pre-ignition, potentially extending engine life.
Maintenance That Actually Matters
Turbo engines need babying compared to traditional Toyota engines. Here’s what makes a difference.
Warm-Up and Cool-Down Procedures
Don’t jump in your truck and immediately floor it. Give the engine a minute to circulate oil, especially in cold weather. The turbocharger spins at insane speeds—up to 150,000 RPM—and needs proper lubrication before you ask for boost.
After hard driving, let the engine idle for about a minute before shutdown. This allows the turbo to cool down properly without heat-soaking the bearings after oil stops flowing.
Air Filters and Spark Plugs
Toyota recommends 30,000-mile air filter replacement under normal conditions. If you drive on dusty roads or go off-roading, cut that interval in half. The turbo compresses whatever air it gets—dirty air means accelerated wear.
Spark plugs need replacement every 40,000 miles, more frequently than naturally aspirated engines. The high compression and boost pressure put extra stress on ignition components.
The LSPI Threat
Low-speed pre-ignition (LSPI) can cause catastrophic damage in turbocharged direct-injection engines. It happens when you lug the engine—high boost at low RPMs. This phenomenon can punch holes in pistons and destroy engines in seconds.
Avoid sustained low-RPM acceleration under heavy load. Downshift if you need power. This one driving habit can significantly impact your engine’s lifespan.
How It Stacks Up Against Competitors
Toyota 2.4 turbo reliability looks better when you compare it to other manufacturers’ turbocharged engines.
Honda’s Turbo Troubles
Honda’s 1.5-liter turbo in the CR-V and Civic has experienced oil dilution issues and head gasket failures. Some owners reported fuel mixing with oil during cold weather operation, requiring engine repairs or replacements.
The Toyota engine’s dual injection system and conservative tuning help it avoid these problems.
Ford’s EcoBoost Experience
Ford’s EcoBoost engines deliver impressive power but show higher failure rates and more complex maintenance requirements. The 2.7L and 3.5L EcoBoost engines have documented issues with carbon buildup, turbo failures, and timing chain problems.
Toyota’s engineering approach prioritizes longevity over maximum performance, using lower boost pressures and more robust components.
What It’ll Cost You Long-Term
Performance and efficiency come with trade-offs. More frequent oil changes, premium fuel recommendations, and potential repair costs add up.
Repair Cost Reality Check
If your turbocharger fails (relatively rare, but possible), replacement typically runs $3,000-5,000 including labor. The engine’s complexity means higher diagnostic costs and more expensive repairs when something goes wrong.
On the flip side, improved fuel economy compared to the V6 saves money at the pump. You’ll need to drive a lot to offset the additional maintenance costs, though.
Warranty Coverage
Toyota provides standard powertrain warranty coverage (60 months/60,000 miles) for the T24A-FTS. The extensive dealer network and parts availability give you advantages over less common turbocharged engines.
Real Owner Experiences
Online forums and owner groups provide valuable insights beyond official data.
Multiple owners report smooth operation through 50,000+ miles with no issues. The engine delivers strong performance and decent fuel economy. Throttle response is sharp once Toyota addressed the hesitation issues through software updates.
Complaints center around a few areas: some find the engine noisy compared to the silky-smooth V6 it replaced. Others worry about long-term durability based on Toyota’s shift away from naturally aspirated engines.
The transmission issues in Tacomas created anxiety, even though they’re not engine-related. When your new $45,000 truck needs a complete transmission replacement at 1,000 miles, it shakes your confidence in the entire powertrain.
Should You Trust It?
Here’s the honest answer: the Toyota 2.4 turbo represents competent engineering that balances performance, efficiency, and reliability within modern constraints.
It won’t match the legendary longevity of Toyota’s naturally aspirated engines. That’s the trade-off for better power, lower emissions, and improved fuel economy. If you’re expecting 300,000 trouble-free miles, you might be disappointed.
But if you maintain it properly and accept that 150,000-170,000 miles is the realistic target, it’s likely one of the more reliable turbocharged engines available today.
Toyota 2.4 turbo reliability ultimately depends on you. Follow the 5,000-mile oil change rule, drive it sensibly, and stay on top of maintenance. Do that, and you’ll probably enjoy reliable service for years.
Skip oil changes, ignore warm-up procedures, and treat it like Toyota’s old bulletproof V6? You’re asking for trouble.
The engine’s relatively recent introduction means its ultimate reputation remains to be written. Early indicators suggest Toyota successfully applied its quality-focused engineering to turbocharged technology. Time will tell if it becomes legendary or just adequate.
For buyers who prioritize performance and fuel economy over maximum longevity, it makes sense. Those seeking ultimate simplicity and legendary durability might want to grab one of the few remaining naturally aspirated Toyotas—if you can still find them.
Given Toyota’s conservative engineering culture and extensive testing, the T24A-FTS likely represents one of the better turbocharged engines you can buy today, even if it doesn’t match its naturally aspirated predecessors. That’s the reality of modern automotive engineering, and it’s not necessarily a bad thing.
