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Toyota has initiated a massive recall of over 100,000 vehicles due to a V6 twin-turbo engine failure affecting Tundra pickup trucks and Lexus LX luxury SUVs.
This defect affects units manufactured between November 2021 and February 2023, and in the case of the Lexus LX, between July 2021 and November 2022. The issue can cause the engines to shut down suddenly, posing a significant risk of an accident.
The origin of the problem
The defect, detected in the 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6 engines, stems from machining debris that was not properly cleaned during production. This debris can cause engine malfunction, resulting in strange noises, starting issues, and, in the most severe cases, total loss of power.
Toyota reported the issue to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in May 2024. Although it was initially estimated that only 1% of the vehicles might be affected, the company clarified that that figure was more of a rough estimate due to limitations in system reporting.
The solution: complete engine replacement
Toyota will nip the problem in the bud and replace every engine of this series
Given the impossibility of precisely determining how many vehicles have the defect, Toyota has opted for a radical measure: replacing all engines in the affected vehicles. This includes about 98,600 Tundra units and 3,500 Lexus LX SUVs.
This recall only affects the non-hybrid versions of the V35A twin-turbo engine, since the hybrid variants of the Tundra, having electric motors, can continue to operate even if the combustion engine fails. Replacing these engines represents a massive expense for Toyota, both in the cost of the new engines and the labor to replace them.
Additionally, there is a risk that the production of new vehicles may be impacted while the necessary engines to cover the recall are being manufactured.
Investigations and decisions
Toyota began investigating the issue in March 2022 after a customer reported that their vehicle had suddenly shut down. Following several additional reports and warranty claims, the company determined that the failure was due to machining debris in the engines.
Throughout 2023, Toyota gathered a total of 166 technical reports and 824 warranty claims before deciding to issue a voluntary recall.
Impact on Toyota’s reputation?
This massive recall, although costly, reinforces Toyota’s image as a brand committed to the safety of its customers. By making the decision to replace more than 100,000 engines, the company demonstrates that it prioritizes the complete resolution of quality issues, regardless of the financial impact.
Toyota will send notices to owners of the affected vehicles before the end of the month, explaining the replacement process. For now, it appears that the affected units were only sold in the United States.