Kluger engine sludge problems?

[Mumof12]

Hi,

We are currently looking to purchase a second hand car. Wanting a meduim size suv. Want some leg room for passengers and boot space, but required fuel encomony and safety a max as we will have this as our family car. We have been looking at Klugers but have encountered engine sludge in one we were looking at.

Which ones have this ? Which ones don't? What do you suggest? I have been looking and the ancap rating

http://www.ancap.com.au/safety-ratings/toyota/kluger-highlander/6db3bd

Nov 2003 – Jun 2007

But after that the rating goes to 5.

Some say the Kluger crumbles in a crash. So confused.

Thanks

[ianskluger]

From my reading, these engines only have 'sludge' if they haven't been serviced regularly and had the oil changed.So if you are looking at one with sluge, this a sign of poor maintenance and might be worth not buying. In terms of crumpling in a crash, all modern cars are designed to crumple to some extend, the car then takes the force of the crash rather than the occupants of the car. So I wouldn't see that as a concern, and as with most cars someone has a 'horror story'. If it was a real safety concern, rather than a story, the car would have been recalled. The US government has forced this issue a few times, but not with the kluger/highlander to my knowledge.

In terms of high safety, if you are buying the series 1, try for a Grande or CVX with safety pack, because they have a higher safety rating due to more air bags and the Grande has stability control. For the Series 2 from 2007 onwards, my understanding is that all model levels have 7 airbags and stability control, so the safety rating is the same.

Ian