Toyota has announced a recall of over 100,000 current-gen Tundra pickups and Lexus LX SUVs in North America due to potential issues with machining debris inside their engines. The recall specifically targets certain 2022-2023 Tundra and LX models equipped with the V6 twin-turbo engine, which has faced doubts about its reliability compared to the previous V8 engines.
The presence of debris in the engines could result in various problems such as engine knock, rough running, starting issues, and even sudden power loss while driving at higher speeds, posing a safety risk. The recall affects around 102,000 Tundra trucks and Lexus LX600 SUVs powered by the V35A-FTS engine. Models within the ’22-23 year range with the gas-only 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 are part of the voluntary recall in North America, excluding the hybrid iForce Max pickups.
Toyota has identified a specific production period where machining debris of a particular size and amount may not have been properly cleared during manufacturing, leading to contamination of the engine assembly. The company explains that the pressure on the main bearings in these engines, combined with the presence of debris, can result in bearing failure over time, causing issues like engine knocking, rough running, starting problems, and potential engine stalls.
While the high internal pressure of the twin-turbo V6 engines is said to contribute to the failures, the root cause appears to be faulty manufacturing processes during a specific period. Toyota is yet to determine the solution for addressing the engine debris issue. Owners of the affected Toyota and Lexus vehicles will receive notification of the recall and any necessary fixes by the end of July 2024.
