- Toyota is to recall 270,000 Lexus vehicles worldwide after it was discovered that an engine problem could lead to stalling.
- Approximately 137,000 vehicles are potentially affected in the U.S.
- Vehicles include the Lexus IS 350, GS 350, GS 450h, GS 460, LS 460 and LS 600h models.
TORRANCE, California — In the latest blow to Toyota's quality reputation, the Japanese automaker is getting ready to recall 270,000 Lexus vehicles after it was discovered that an engine problem could lead to stalling.
Lexus released a statement late today saying it has "discovered faulty valve springs in some V8 and V6 engines in certain Lexus models sold in the U.S. Due to slight variations during the manufacturing process, some foreign material may have contaminated the valve springs, resulting in potential breakage."
Lexus's U.K. office issued a statement on Thursday that read: "Improperly functioning valve springs have been found in some Lexus engines and there is a small possibility that abnormal engine noise or unstable idling may occur. In very rare instances, there is a chance that the engine may stop."
The vehicles include the Lexus GS 350, GS 450h, GS 460, IS 350, LS 460 and LS 600h models. The faulty springs were found in some V8 and V6 engines. Lexus says it has not received any reports of accidents or injuries related to this issue.
Earlier this week, Toyota said it is recalling 17,000 2010 Lexus HS 250h vehicles because of a possible fire hazard due to fuel leakage. The Japanese automaker also issued a stop-sale order on the HS 250h on June 25. Toyota has recalled approximately 9 million vehicles since last November to fix problems with accelerators, brakes and other systems. The Japanese automaker is still under scrutiny by U.S. congressional investigators over alleged instances of unintended acceleration and is also in the midst of a major court battle in California over product liability.
Inside Line says: Another apology for yet another recall from Toyota. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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rodger_victor says:
10:41 PM, 07/05/2010
Funny how Toyota recalled these cars in Japan first even though the same ones are shipped over to the USA. I guess Toyota still doesnt give a crap about the US. Well, except for taking our money back to Japan.
scorp76 says:
08:49 PM, 07/01/2010
Never gets old, watching this company take hit after hit after hit. I hope it keeps happening until they no longer exist....
windsor5 says:
08:48 PM, 07/01/2010
Well like you mentioned if you make a big stink about THEY WILL fix the problem. With toyota this was not the case. The unintended accelartion happens to all manufacturers yes but deaths related to it are overwhelmingly toyotas not by a small margin but by a huge one if you combine all the other manufacturers together toyota would still have more deaths related to UA.
Also as someone mentioned earlier it is their active concealment of the problem. If they had treated it like everyother manufacturer and recalled when there was a problem I dont think people would make a big stink about it but they tried to shove things under the rug and hope no one looked under it.
ant14 says:
08:31 PM, 07/01/2010
Business as usual at Toyota...
madmallard says:
08:08 PM, 07/01/2010
the problem is not disregarding the problem, i dont think. Its the perception of active concealment instead.
jeremy_c says:
07:51 PM, 07/01/2010
Maybe what Toyota did wrong was actually admitting that are problems. My co-workers had stalling and no start problems with their VW GTI and Audi A4 and after much research found that this is a common problem with the ignition coil on VW engines. Dealers repaired this free of charge if you tell them you know this is a common problem and make a big stink but to this day they continue to sell the cars and refuse to acknowledge there were problems. Don't believe me, google this and see for yourself. Looks like the media just love to sensationalize the Toyota story. Maybe this is to help GM and Ford but in the end all this benefits are the Koreans. Hyundai will take over the Toyota's lost market share and eat into the domestic small car share too.
starliner54 says:
07:41 PM, 07/01/2010
This Toyota situation is becoming so sad that I have no heart to rub it in. It's no accident that a few years after announcing their intention of becoming the worlds top manufacturer, their world turns upside-down. The same happened to GM after many years at the top. Now VW declares their intentions to seek the crown. Good luck!
gymotc says:
06:55 PM, 07/01/2010
Wait a tick....then how is the LS the best built car in the world??????? And the 3.5L V6 was awarded. All these toyota recalls seem fishy. Why dont they make a big deal out of GM's thousands of recall, or ford, or any other auto maker.
xoquixxoqafxo says:
05:17 PM, 07/01/2010
toyota is dead to me.
mr_bots says:
04:35 PM, 07/01/2010
Valve Springs! I wouldn't want any dealer service depot ripping the top of my brand new engine apart to change valve springs.