Lexus Recall Issued for 138,000 Luxury Cars Over Engine Problems
Toyota Motor Co. has announced that it is recalling about 138,000 luxury Lexus models that contain defective parts that may cause the engine to fail while driving.
The Lexus recall was announced on July 5, and includes a number of 2006-2008 GS, IS, and LS Lexus vehicles sold in the United States. Some of the vehicles have been found to have a faulty engine valve spring that can fail after a few years of operation. This may cause the engine to die while the vehicle is in use, potentially leading to an automobile accident.
Globally, 270,000 Toyota and Lexus cars will be affected by the recall, including 90,000 Lexus and Toyota Crown sedans in the company’s native Japan. There have been no injuries or accidents reported in connection to the defective engine valve springs.
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Learn MoreThe recalled Lexus vehicles include the following models: the 2007 and 2008 GS 350, 2007 and 2008 GS 450h, 2008 GS 460, 2006-2008 IS 350, 2007 and 2008 LS 460 and LS 460 L, and the 2008 LS 600h L. All of the affected vehicles in the U.S. are run by 4.6 or 5.0 liter V8 or 3.5 liter V6 engines.
Registered owners affected by the Lexus recall will be contacted by mail, officials for the auto maker said. Vehicles with defective engine valve springs may have abnormal engine noise or idling, and there is a small chance the engine will fail while in operation. The company says that owners can continue to drive their vehicles while waiting for the problem to be fixed, but should bring the vehicle to a dealer if they begin to experience uncharacteristic engine noise. Any Lexus owners with questions can go to www.lexus.com/recall.
Toyota told the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that it has received reports about the problem from Japan since at least 2007.
The admission comes at a time when the auto maker is already under fire for what some NHTSA officials claim is foot dragging on other recalls. Last month, the agency announced that it was launching a criminal probe over the company’s recall of Toyota trucks and SUVs in 2005 due to steering problems. Documents have come to light that indicate that the company was aware of the problem for 11 years before taking action.
The probe and latest admission comes as Toyota is still reeling from the recall of millions of vehicles due to problems with sudden acceleration, which also involved allegations that the auto maker delayed acting on safety concerns. As a result of the recent recalls, Toyota faces a criminal probe, has received hefty government fines and dozens of new Toyota lawsuits over injuries and deaths have been filed.
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8 Comments
PaulFebruary 20, 2011 at 2:12 am
I have a 08 460SL with continuous problems such as Wind noise (fixed) engine noise since new (yet to be fixed) the car has been @ the dealer for 12 Days to replace a computer (yet to be fixed) I have owned four S series Mercedes. Most had some electrical problems but were handled in a professional manner. I made a mistake by believing consumer report about the quality of this car.
RobertOctober 29, 2010 at 9:10 pm
I have requested repairs to my 2007 Lexus 460SL engine as recommended by Toyota Motor Co. as a safety measure.However I have also been stone walled by Lexus regarding this matter. I guess the problem has to be with the manufacture and delivery of the repair parts to the dealer. Regardless it is very poor customer service. I have made several requests to have repairs made and was told by the dealer[Show More]I have requested repairs to my 2007 Lexus 460SL engine as recommended by Toyota Motor Co. as a safety measure.However I have also been stone walled by Lexus regarding this matter. I guess the problem has to be with the manufacture and delivery of the repair parts to the dealer. Regardless it is very poor customer service. I have made several requests to have repairs made and was told by the dealer to wait for the recall notice that would be mailed to my home, that was 3 months ago. I'm still waiting!
BobOctober 27, 2010 at 4:37 pm
I own a 2007 LS-460 with 22,000 miles. I took it in for a 25k mile service and was told that it was part of the nationwide recall. That was 5 days ago. I am now told that there are NO repair parts in the US and none will arrive for another 3 weeks. My car has been taken apart so there is no way to use it until it is repaired. I have owned a Lexus for over 15 years and have given them high mar[Show More]I own a 2007 LS-460 with 22,000 miles. I took it in for a 25k mile service and was told that it was part of the nationwide recall. That was 5 days ago. I am now told that there are NO repair parts in the US and none will arrive for another 3 weeks. My car has been taken apart so there is no way to use it until it is repaired. I have owned a Lexus for over 15 years and have given them high markas for service but this is unacceptable. #1 - the car should not have been disassembled until replacement parts were verified. #2 - 4 weeks is too long for Lexus to take to get parts to the US (how about air shipment???). I have no issue with the recall but the execution is second rate.
JohnnOctober 15, 2010 at 1:22 am
I have a 2002 lexus that has had a transmission replace at 50,000 plus miles and after it was replaced by lexus I have the same lexus that has now gone bad again at 50,000 plus miles there is something wrong here and it must be something done about this tranmission to keep going out at 50,000 or so mile I talk with the folks at lexus and they agreed that if I would pay for half they would pay for [Show More]I have a 2002 lexus that has had a transmission replace at 50,000 plus miles and after it was replaced by lexus I have the same lexus that has now gone bad again at 50,000 plus miles there is something wrong here and it must be something done about this tranmission to keep going out at 50,000 or so mile I talk with the folks at lexus and they agreed that if I would pay for half they would pay for half the only problem is half is $3,000.00 dollars so where do you get this kind of money to pay for a car that is clearly a problem from the dealer, now it would be fair for the dealer to replace the tranmission and I pay for the labor sense the problem is with the tranmission and this is clearly the second one in the same car and around the same mileage. we all need to get together and simply file a class action suit against this company, I am open and will be glad to file I don't need but 24 more people that have this same problem and Lexus only keep offering them excuses. I have three of these cars but the 02 is the only one with the tranmission problem. Let's get the ball rolling here guys we are the cosumer not the dealers selling cars.
CharlesSeptember 14, 2010 at 7:07 pm
My '07 GS has actually stalled 4 (four) times since Dec. '09 ..... brakes and rattles and motor mounts and subframe bolts have had the car in the dealership for 52 days !!! Essentially I have observed the virtual rebuilding of the car after finally replacing the 24 valve springs on the recall ..... when I last visited Kuni in Denver to pick it up they conveniently forgot to install the plastic und[Show More]My '07 GS has actually stalled 4 (four) times since Dec. '09 ..... brakes and rattles and motor mounts and subframe bolts have had the car in the dealership for 52 days !!! Essentially I have observed the virtual rebuilding of the car after finally replacing the 24 valve springs on the recall ..... when I last visited Kuni in Denver to pick it up they conveniently forgot to install the plastic under engine liner which was in the trunk .... I have yet to receive any recall notification from Lexus but stayed in constant contact with the folks in Torrance , and ran a Carfax on my vehicle 2 weeks ago and NONE of the 8 warranty visits were on CARFAX going back to December 2009 !!! ..... Toyota/Lexus is complicit in a huge coverup here and soon it will be unveiled I am sure .... I suspect Magnuson-Moss will be MY next step .....
LarrySeptember 1, 2010 at 5:47 pm
I purchased a 2007 LS460 on July 10th totally aware the vehicle was on the recall list. The dealer told me it would be about 2-3 weeks before the valve spring replacement parts would be available. I am still waiting for delivery of the car and given absolutely no information as to when the parts will be available. The dealer will not release the car stating will be not be Certified if not repai[Show More]I purchased a 2007 LS460 on July 10th totally aware the vehicle was on the recall list. The dealer told me it would be about 2-3 weeks before the valve spring replacement parts would be available. I am still waiting for delivery of the car and given absolutely no information as to when the parts will be available. The dealer will not release the car stating will be not be Certified if not repaired. I have ask for a waiver, Lexus say no. Does anyone know if Lexus has notified a single owner? Lexus is playing gmaes with a loyal customer base. Hello BMW!
paulAugust 27, 2010 at 6:24 pm
I purchase a 07 460 LS and the car is subject to a recall. I have been trying to get information as when the car will be repaired but all I get from the Lexus division in Torrance, Ca is the" run around" as to when the recalled auto will have the springs replace They were suppose to start the replacement around August 1st. but in calling them and the dealer they still don't know when the parts wil[Show More]I purchase a 07 460 LS and the car is subject to a recall. I have been trying to get information as when the car will be repaired but all I get from the Lexus division in Torrance, Ca is the" run around" as to when the recalled auto will have the springs replace They were suppose to start the replacement around August 1st. but in calling them and the dealer they still don't know when the parts will arrive for the replacement to start. I would think that they could find out and let the owners know that to put on hold on the phone and then come back on line with no answers. Is this the way to treat a customer?
RhondaJuly 7, 2010 at 11:59 pm
I have been hearing an engine noise every since I purchased my Lexus earlier this year. They continued to tell me nothing was wrong.... Now this and my car is out of warranty. I can not trade it or do anything to get out from under it. It stayed in and out of the shop for squeaks, mats, drive shaft problems the first few months I've had it. If anyone knows of a site I can link to to sue for a[Show More]I have been hearing an engine noise every since I purchased my Lexus earlier this year. They continued to tell me nothing was wrong.... Now this and my car is out of warranty. I can not trade it or do anything to get out from under it. It stayed in and out of the shop for squeaks, mats, drive shaft problems the first few months I've had it. If anyone knows of a site I can link to to sue for assistance and/or replacement or effectively trade, then please notify me asap.