Toyota has struggled to find a solution to an engine problem that prompted a recall in May and now says it will replace the 3.4-liter bi-turbo V6 in affected trucks and SUVs
Toyota is installing new engines in 102,092 Toyota Tundra and Lexus LX vehicles from 2022-23 that were recalled in May.
The automaker has resorted to replacing the vehicles’ Alabama-built 3.4-liter V6 engines altogether because it can’t find another solution.
A total of 98,568 Tundras and 3,524 LXs were initially recalled due to the risk of crankshaft bearing failure from machining residue left inside the engines.
Do you own a Toyota Tundra or Lexus LX and feel a little guilty about those mornings when you were in a rush and didn’t let the oil warm up before putting your right foot on the carpet? Well, here’s your chance to turn back the clock and be a more careful owner, because Toyota is replacing over 100,000 engines for free.
The cost to the automaker of sourcing and fielding 102,092 non-hybrid 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6s will be huge, but Toyota has decided it’s the only way, and owners, can move on from a recall it originally had announced two months ago. This giveaway only applies to owners with non-hybrid V6 engines, because Toyota says electrically assisted versions of the V35A engine are not affected.
In May, Toyota recalled 98,568 Tundras and 3,524 Lexus LX600s over fears the vehicles’ crankshafts could be seized. The problem was traced to residue on the engines from the machining process that could stick to the crankshaft bearings, leading to heavy bottom end knocking, rough running or, in the worst case scenario, total seizure. And if the latter of these happened while the car was in motion, say at highway speeds, it could cause a major accident.
Toyota first became aware of the problem with the V35A powertrains in March 2022 when it received a field report of an engine that had completely failed. By the end of that year he had received more reports of similar failures, decided that manufacturing debris was to blame, and instituted a more thorough cleaning process for engines assembled at the Alabama plant in the future.
But that still left the problem of what to do with the thousands of models already on the market, and more failure reports were arriving at the quality office. After further testing and testing through 2023 and 2024, the company recalled potentially affected vehicles in May of this year, but it took another two months for Toyota to come up with a full action plan.
Toyota is recalling 102,092 trucks and SUVs, but has only received 824 warranty claims so far, suggesting many owners could keep driving for years without ever having a problem. However, even owners who have not experienced any problems will get a new engine.
