2008–2016 Toyota Highlander: Coolant leak or whine (3.5L V6 water pump)
Likely causes, ranked
- Water pump seal leak or bearing noise (pump replaced)$450–$1,300Shop
Real-owner fix counts will appear here as reports come in.
Rough cost: $450–$1,300DIY or shop: See DIY or shop section
Parts to check
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Symptom: Pink coolant crust near the passenger-side front of the engine, a dropping coolant level, or a whine/grind from the pump.
Likely causes
- Water pump. Toyota Nation and BITOG owners report 2GR-FE pump leaks. The engine uses a timing chain, so the pump is replaced on its own.
Rough cost range
| Repair | Reported |
|---|---|
| Pump replacement | About $450–$900 independent; dealer quotes up to about $1,300 |
DIY or shop?
Shop, or DIY-capable.
Useful steps
- Look for crust at the pump weep hole.
- Use an OEM/Aisin pump.
- Refill with Toyota coolant.
Vehicle focus: 2008–2016 Toyota Highlander.
Safety / mechanic note
Overheating can damage the engine. Verify with a mechanic.
Recalls & service bulletins
No recalls or service bulletins are listed for this page yet.
NHTSA complaints: 16 keyword-matched complaints (of 2,051 unique complaints filed under NHTSA model names HIGHLANDER, HIGHLANDER HV, HIGHLANDER HYBRID, 2008–2016; NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-10-15).
Always check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Sources
What actually fixed it?
Had this problem? Tell other owners what the real fix was. Reports are counted above; we never show made-up numbers.