Toyota issues major recall for Tundra and Lexus LX engines due to defect

Toyota is facing one of its largest and most complex recalls after discovering a defect in the V-6 twin-turbocharged engines used in 2022-2023 Tundra trucks and Lexus LX SUVs. Vehicles produced between November 2021 and February 2023, and Lexus LX models built from July 2021 to November 2022, are affected.

Affected vehicles: The recall includes 98,568 Tundras and 3,524 LX600s. Only the regular gasoline-powered versions are affected, not the hybrids.

The Problem: The defect stems from machining debris left inside the engine during production, which can cause stalling, engine knocking, rough operation, and even complete power loss. This poses a significant risk of accidents. In May 2024, Toyota notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), estimating only 1% of the 102,092 vehicles may be affected.

Solution: Full Engine Replacement Due to uncertainty about how many vehicles are truly at risk, Toyota has decided to replace the engines in all 100,000+ affected vehicles, including 98,600 Tundras and 3,500 Lexus LX SUVs. This recall applies only to non-hybrid 3.4-liter V-6 twin-turbocharged engines (V35A). Hybrid Tundras are excluded, as their electric motors can still power the vehicle if the engine fails.

Resolution: Toyota will replace the engines for free at Toyota dealers.

How to check: You can check if your vehicle is affected by entering your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or license plate information at Toyota.com/recall or nhtsa.gov/recalls. 

Contact Toyota: You can also call the Toyota Brand Engagement Center at (800) 331-4331 for Toyota vehicles, or the Lexus Brand Engagement Center at (800) 255-3987 for Lexus vehicles. Discovery of the Issue: The issue came to light in March 2022, after a customer reported an engine stall. By 2023, Toyota had received 166 technical reports and 824 warranty claims linked to this defect. Investigations revealed that machining debris was to blame, prompting a voluntary recall.

Financial Impact: The recall will be costly for Toyota, covering the price of new engines and labor for installation. The company may also need to redirect production capacity to manufacture replacement engines, potentially affecting new vehicle output. Despite the cost, Toyota has been commended for prioritizing safety over short-term financial impact.Customer Notices Toyota plans to notify vehicle owners by the end of the month, detailing the recall and next steps.