Toyota to recall 138,000 Lexus vehicles in US to Replace Engine Valve Springs
TORRANCE, Calif. (July 2, 2010) -- Lexus, a division of Toyota Motor
Sales, USA, Inc., today announced that it has informed the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration of its intention to file a Defect Information
Report (DIR) regarding approximately 138,000 Lexus vehicles, powered by 4.6
and 5.0 liter V8 and 3.5 liter V6 engines in certain 2006, 2007 and 2008
GS, IS and LS models in the U.S. The formal report will be filed the week
of July 5.
In the covered vehicles, due to slight variations during the
manufacturing process, some foreign material may have contaminated a small
number of the valve springs. If a vehicle is affected, 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 estimates that the likelihood of a customer vehicle experiencing
this condition is two-tenths of one percent (0.2 %). Lexus has received no
reports of accidents or injuries related to this condition. No vehicles
from the current 2010 model year nor 2009 are affected.
Lexus will send owners of the involved vehicles a recall notification
via first class mail. Owners are requested to contact their local Lexus
dealer for diagnosis and repair after receiving their notification. The
repair will involve replacement of the engine’s valve springs at
no charge.
Owners can continue to drive their vehicles. If symptoms are noticed,
such as vibration, rough idling, unusual engine sounds or poor performance,
the vehicle should be brought to a Lexus dealer for service.
Certain Lexus vehicles produced among the following models and years
are covered:
Customers with questions or concerns should contact the Customer Experience Center at 1-800-255-3987.