Toyota’s Latest Recall is a Bit Puzzling
Replacing the old 5.7-litre V8 with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 in the next-generation Toyota Tundra and Lexus LX was an easy decision to make both from a performance and fuel economy standpoint. However, there have been a few problems along the way, some leading to a recall.
The latest one is a bit puzzling, frankly. It’s not about parts or electronics but rather the manufacturing process. Apparently, certain machining debris may not have been cleared from the engine when it was produced.
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If those debris adhere to the crankshaft main bearings and operation of the engine continues at higher loads over time, the bearings can fail. This can lead to engine knocking, rough running, an inability to start or a loss of power increasing the risk of a crash.
Customer complaints and an investigation by U.S. authorities have led to the recall of approximately 102,000 Tundra pickups and LX SUVs from the 2022-2023 model years. There will also be 9,979 units recalled in Canada.
It’s worth noting that the hybrid variant of the twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 is not involved in the recall. Same thing for any 2024 model, which suggests that the problem has been dealt with at the factory.
Now, for those units that are on the road and potentially affected, Toyota says it is currently developing the remedy for this issue and will notify owners by mail sometime this summer.
In August of last year, 17,000 Tundras from 2022-2023 (including the Tundra Hybrid) were recalled in Canada because a plastic fuel tube on the top of the fuel tank may not have been secured correctly. As a result, the fuel tube could be damaged by contact with the brake lines and create a fuel leak.
Then, in February of this year, 28,000 Tundras, Sequoias and LXes from 2023-2024 suffered the same fate after it was found that a problem with the transmission could cause the vehicles to move forward when the driver shifts to the Neutral position and the brakes or parking brake aren't applied. The fix here is an update to the transmission control unit software.