More thermally efficient, way more optimized combustion process, airflow, stroke to bore ratio and more. Toyota continues to push the limits on the engine development front, and we couldn’t be happier about it.
Toyota has come a long way in the last couple of years in terms of its engine designs. Unlike other car companies which invest in EVs, Toyota does the opposite, they keep on improving their existing gas-powered engines with new technologies to make them the most efficient possible. Is this actually the case with the Dynamic Force engines? Let’s find out.
First, we are going to cover the basic specs of these engines and see what the different variations are. Then, we are going to cover the Toyota Dynamic Force engine problems and see if these engines are any good. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the topic.
Basic Toyota Dynamic Force Engine Specs
When it comes to the Dynamic Force engine, it is worth noting that this is not a single engine but a whole family of engines which include inline-3, inline-4, and V6 engines. So, let’s cover the specs in the following chapters.
Toyota Dynamic Force M15 (inline-3)
- Configuration: inline-3
- Displacement: 1.5L
- Cylinder Bore: 80.5 mm
- Stroke: 97.6 mm
- Compression ratio: 13.0:1 or 14.0:1
- Fuel System: Direct/Port Injection
- Power Output: 118 – 123 hp
- Torque Output: 107 – 113 lb-ft (145 – 153 N-m)
Toyota Dynamic Force M20 (inline-4)
- Configuration: inline-4
- Displacement: 2.0L
- Cylinder Bore: 80.5 mm
- Stroke: 97.6 mm
- Compression ratio: 13.0:1 or 14.0:1
- Fuel System: Direct/Port Injection
- Power Output: 168 – 176 hp
- Torque Output: 148 – 155 lb-ft (200 – 210 N-m)
Toyota Dynamic Force A25 (inline-4)
- Configuration: inline-4
- Displacement: 2.5L
- Cylinder Bore: 87.5 mm
- Stroke: 103.4 mm
- Compression ratio: 13.0:1 or 14.0:1
- Fuel System: Direct/Port Injection
- Power Output: 202 – 207 hp
- Torque Output: 182 – 186 lb-ft (247 – 252 N-m)
Toyota Dynamic Force T24A (inline-4)
- Configuration: inline-4
- Displacement: 2.4L
- Cylinder Bore: 87.5 mm
- Stroke: 99.5 mm
- Turbocharger: Single twin-scroll turbo
- Compression ratio: 11.0:1
- Fuel System: Direct/Port Injection
- Power Output: 228 – 278 hp
- Torque Output: 243 – 339 lb-ft (329 – 460 N-m)
Toyota Dynamic Force V35A (V6)
- Configuration: V6
- Displacement: 3.5L
- Cylinder Bore: 85.5 mm
- Stroke: 100 mm
- Turbocharger: twin-turbo
- Compression ratio: 10.5:1
- Fuel System: Direct/Port Injection
- Power Output: 349 – 416 hp
- Torque Output: 405 – 479 lb-ft (569 – 560 N-m)
Common Toyota Dynamic Force Engine Problems
Let’s now list the common issues with these engines. We are not going to list specific engine problems but more like an entire family of engines.
Since they are in the same family, these issues happen on most of these engines.
Common Toyota Dynamic Force engine problems include:
- EGR Problems
- Specific Oil Is Essential/ only 0-16
- Oil Consumption
- Spark Plug & Ignition Coil Failure
- VVT Motor Knocks When Fails
- Injector Failure
- Sensitive On Fuel
We listed the common problems, now let’s further elaborate on these issues and learn more about when and how they appear. In addition to this, we are going to cover the seriousness of these problems and the symptoms that you can expect.
EGR Problems
EGR problems on this engine are very common. But these are not your ordinary EGR issues when soot starts to collect on the valve and simply prevents it from opening and closing.
This is a very different issue that allows the creation of corrosion. These Dynamic Force engines come with high-performance EGR systems that use water cooling.
The EGR valve cooler heat exchanger gets destroyed by Chlorine poisoning and coolant ends up in the cylinders.
Whenever this happens, there will be white smoke from the exhaust, the coolant levels will drop significantly and the engine will run really poorly.
This can happen on very low mileage and sometimes even ruin the engine if the leaks are too serious.
On February 2, 2022, Toyota issued a service bulletin to tackle this problem. This problem affects all models globally with the 1KR-FE, A25A-FKS, A25A-FXS, M15A-FKS, M15A-FXE, M20A-FKS, and M20A-FXS engine codes.
If your engine has one of these codes, you should take your Toyota to the nearest dealership to have this problem sorted out.
Specific Oil Is Essential
Specific oil viscosity is essential for this engine. The engine will not like it if you add different oil that is not prescribed by the factory.
This topic is a big discussion point in the Toyota community. Some people say one thing, while other people say different things.
But according to “The Car Care Nut” channel on YouTube who is a Toyota technician and is working on these engines all the time, the recommended oil viscosity is the one that it says on your oil cap.
This prescribed viscosity is 0w-16 on most of these engines. Even though on some oil caps, there can be 0w-20 or 5w30 viscosity.
Just follow the factory’s recommendation and you will be good. This is mainly due to the fact that these engines are using an electronic oil pump that is pre-programmed to work on a specific viscosity.
Adding different types of oil can result in engine damage or damage to the oil pump. That’s why you really need to be careful.
Oil Consumption
An increase in oil consumption was also noted on these engines. This problem starts to happen whenever the engine surpasses 100,000 miles.
This is a common problem on a lot of Toyota engines whenever they go above certain mileage to consume more oil.
And the more miles you put on the engine, the more oil the engine will burn until eventually, you replace it with a new short block. Or a long block if the cylinder head is also affected by low compression.
Spark Plug & Ignition Coil Failure
Spark plugs and coils can also fail on these engines more often compared to other engines. This is the case because these engines are using direct and port injection.
Direct injection is more demanding on these ignition components. That’s why you can expect to replace them sooner compared to engines that run port injection only.
Whenever there are problems, you will get the check engine light, there will also be engine misfires, rough engine idle, and poor fuel economy. Luckily, replacing these components is not that difficult, or expensive.
VVT Motor Knocks When Fails
Another common problem with these engines is the issue with the VVT motor. This is the motor for the variable valve timing system.
The system adjusts the position of the camshafts on the fly in order to improve fuel economy and also boost performance.
This system on the dynamic force engines has a separate motor that can fail and whenever this motor fails there will be strong cracking noise coming from the engine bay. The only way around this problem is to replace the VVT motor.
Injector Failure
Injector failures are also a common thing on these engines. What is worth noting is that these engines are using dual injection.
Both port and direct injection. The direct injection injectors are very sensitive and fail more often compared to the port injectors. In addition to this, they are also far more expensive to get replaced and can cost you a good penny.
Sensitive On Fuel
And the last problem with the Toyota Dynamic Force engine is the sensitivity of these engines to fuel.
These engines require high-quality fuel in order not to have issues. Engine design has moved a long way and in order not to have problems with these engines, it is always recommended that you use quality gasoline.
Which Models Have The Dynamic Force Engine?
Now let’s take a look at the applications of these engines. For a full list click here.
Dynamic Force M15
- 2020 – Present Toyota Yaris
- 2020 – Present Toyota GR Yaris RS
- 2020 – Present Toyota Sienta
- 2020 – Present Toyota Yaris Hybrid
- 2020 – Present Toyota Corolla
- 2020 – Present Toyota Aqua
- 2020 – Present Toyota Urban Cruiser Hybrid
- 2020 – Present Suzuki Grand Vitara Hybrid
Dynamic Force M20
- 2018 – Present Toyota Corolla/Auris/Cross
- 2018 – Present Toyota RAV4/Windlander
- 2018 – Present Toyota CH-R
- 2019 – Present Toyota Camry
- 2019 – Present Toyota Avalon
- 2022 – Present Toyota Prius
- 2020 – Present Venza/Harrier
Dynamic Force A25
- 2017 – Present Toyota Camry
- 2018 – Present Toyota Avalon
- 2018 – Present RAV4
- 2020 – Present Toyota Harrier/Venza
- 2019 – Present Toyota Highlander
- 2020 – Present Toyota Sienna
Dynamic Force T24A
- 2022 – Present Toyota Tacoma
- 2022 – Present Toyota Crown
- 2022 – Present Toyota Highlander
Dynamic Force V35A
- 2021 – Present Toyota Tundra
- 2022 – Present Toyota Sequoia
- 2021 – Present Toyota Land Cruiser
FAQ
What Are The Common Problems With The Toyota Dynamic Force Engine?
Common problems with these engines include spark plug and coil failures, VVT motor failures, injector failures, and high oil consumption at higher miles. Overall, these engines are pretty good but quite unproven. More problems should develop as they age.
Is The Toyota Dynamic Engine Reliable?
These engines are very reliable from what we’ve seen. There are no serious issues reported yet. It is really important with these engines to put in quality gas and also to stick to the recommended oil viscosity. Don’t experiment too much because this can result in engine damage or damage to the injectors. Besides this, these engines are worth your attention.
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