Toyota to Replace Engines in 98k Tundra Pickups

Toyota dealers will replace the engines in approximately 98,600 model-year 2022-2023 Toyota Tundra pickups equipped with the V35A engine. Debris from the manufacturing process may contaminate the engine and result in an engine stall and loss of drive power.

The solution was listed as still under development when the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration recall was first issued, However, more recently, the solution was announced. Dealers will replace engines in the recalled Toyota Tundra pickups and approximately 3,500 2022-2023 Lexus LX 600 SUVs under the same recall.

Machining Debris the Root of the Problem

Toyota, in its NHTSA filings, reported there is a possibility that certain machining debris may not have been cleared from the engine when it was produced. In the involved vehicles, this can lead to:

• Potential engine knocking
• Engine rough running,
• Engine no start
• A loss of motive power

“A loss of motive power while driving at higher speeds can increase the risk of a crash,” Toyota reported.

Part 573 of the NHTSA Safety Recall Reports explains: “The subject vehicles are equipped with a specific V35A engine that contains crankshaft main bearings which allow the crankshaft to rotate within the engine assembly while running. During a specific production period, there is a possibility that engine machining debris of a particular size and amount may not have been cleared from the engine during manufacturing and subsequently contaminated the engine assembly during the production process. For these engines in the subject vehicles, the pressure on the main bearings due to the engine configuration is such that, if the aforementioned machining debris adheres to the bearings and operation of the engine continues at higher loads over time, failure of the bearings may occur.”

Toyota's recall numbers are 24TB07/24TA07 and 24LB04/24LA04.

Toyota Tundra Recall Details

On May 30, 2024, Toyota filed a Defect Information Report (DIR) with the NHTSA informing the agency of its intent to conduct a voluntary safety recall on certain 2022-2023 Tundra pickups.

At the same time, dealers were notified to stop selling recalled new Tundra pickups. Of the approximately 98,600 trucks, Toyota reported approximately 80 were still in dealer inventory.

Lexus LX 600 Recall Details

The May 30 Defect Information Report (DIR) announced Toyota’s intent to conduct a voluntary safety recall on certain 2022-2023 model year LX 600 vehicles. Dealers were notified to stop selling any recalled vehicles still in inventory.

According to the filing, the 2022-2023 Lexus LX 600 SUVs were produced from late July 2021 through late November 2022. There are approximately 3,500 Lexus vehicles covered by this safety recall.