Thread: Over 100,000 Toyota and Lexus cars are recalled for engine failure

From the USA. Pity JLR did not do something similar but perhaps the USA has better consumer protection.

Toyota and Lexus are facing a massive recall involving over 100,000 vehicles due to engine problems. The recall affects models from 2022 and 2023, specifically Tundra trucks and Lexus LX SUVs, produced between November 2021 and February 2023. For the Lexus LX, the affected production period is July 2021 to November 2022.
The defect lies in the V-6 twin-turbocharged engines, which can suddenly stall while driving, increasing the risk of an accident. This is caused by leftover debris from the manufacturing process, which leads to engine knocking, rough performance, difficulty starting, and, in severe cases, total power loss.
Toyota reported the issue to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in May 2024, estimating that 1% of the 102,092 vehicles may have the defect, although they were unable to provide a precise figure at the time. With the scope of the problem still unclear two months later, Toyota decided to replace the engines in all potentially affected vehicles. This includes over 98,600 Tundras and 3,500 Lexus LX SUVs.
The recall only involves non-hybrid versions of the 3.4-liter V-6 twin-turbocharged engines, as hybrid models are not affected due to their electric motors, which can take over in case of engine failure. The investigation began in March 2022, when a customer reported a sudden engine stall. Toyota discovered that the main engine bearings had seized, and as more cases came in, it became apparent that machining debris in the engines was causing the failures.
By 2023, the company had received 166 technical reports and 824 warranty claims related to this problem, leading to the voluntary recall. Even engines that initially seemed fine showed signs of the defect upon further inspection. The recall, which involves replacing over 100,000 engines, will be expensive for Toyota.
In addition to the cost of the new engines, the company will also bear the labor costs for the replacement work. This could impact production of new vehicles, as resources may need to be redirected to produce engines for the recall.
Despite the expense, Toyota has been commended for taking a thorough approach to addressing the issue, even though the exact number of affected vehicles remains uncertain. Owners will be notified by the end of the month with details about the recall and next steps.
This recall underscores Toyota's dedication to maintaining customer trust by addressing problems directly, regardless of the financial burden. While only a small percentage of vehicles may experience engine failure, Toyota’s decision to replace over 100,000 engines demonstrates its proactive stance on safety and reliability.
By choosing full engine replacements over smaller fixes, Toyota is reinforcing its reputation for prioritizing customer safety and performance, ensuring that its vehicles continue to meet high standards in a competitive market.
Toyota’s decision to take on the cost of replacing all potentially faulty engines shows a commitment to quality and safety, even at great expense, underscoring their focus on long-term customer trust.

Its an interesting one, because people were putting quite a few km's on the motors before it failed. I would have expected with swarf in the motor that it would fail before the first service otherwise the swarf would be filtered out.