Toyota Motor Corporation (7203.TO) confirmed late yesterday in Tokyo that it would recall 270,000 luxury vehicles around the world to fix an engine stalling or rough idling problem. No current models are apparently involved.
The latest quality and safety problem follows recalls earlier this year of about 8.5 million vehicles for unintended acceleration or stuck throttle problems, among other defects.
Last week Toyota informed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that it would that it will recall 17,000 2010 model year Lexus HS 250h vehicles in the U.S. because they violate Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 301, which limits the amount of fuel that can leak after a rear impact. (See Another Toyota Recall Coming on Lexus Hybrids) NHTSA discovered the defect first.
The beleaguered automaker, which once had an unimpeachable quality reputation, said the valvetrain of 4.6-liter V8 engines and 3.5-liter V6 engines used in the Lexus LS460, Lexus LS600h, Lexus LS600hL, Lexus GS350, Lexus GS450h, Lexus GS460 and Lexus IS350 and the Toyota Crown is making the luxury cars stall. “Contaminated material” was used during the manufacturing process.
About 270,000 vehicles are affected, 90,000 were sold in Japan and the balance overseas.
Lexus U.S. Statement Regarding Potential Valve Spring Issue – The views expressed are Toyota’s and not ours – Ken Zino, editor.
“Lexus 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.
“In such a situation, there is a remote possibility that abnormal engine noise or idling may occur. In extremely rare instances, the engine may stop while the vehicle is in operation.
“Lexus has not received any reports of accidents or injuries related to this issue.
“Approximately 137,000 vehicles are potentially affected in the U.S., including the IS 350, GS 350, GS 460, GS 450h, LS 460, LS 600h L.
Current model years are not affected. [Since they can’t identify what the exact vehicles are, this is an attempt to head off a stop sale or justify not imposing one – editor]
“Lexus is moving quickly to resolve the situation and will announce an appropriate remedy as soon as possible.
“’In the meantime, we sincerely apologize to our customers for any inconvenience and request that they contact their nearest Lexus dealer if they believe there is a problem with their vehicle’ said Mark Templin, group vice president and general manager of the U.S. Lexus Division.”