All About Japan Autos

After reports yesterday that Toyota was preparing to recall almost 270,000 Lexus models for faulty engines, the Japanese automaker has since pulled the trigger and formally announced a recall. Or have they.

In a USA Today article Toyota Spokesman Paul Nolasco, “told the Associated Press that Toyota will inform Japan’s transport ministry on Monday of a recall of the 90,000 affected cars sold there. He did not say when a recall might come for the 137,000 of the cars sold in the U.S.”

However Automotive News reports that, “Toyota said it would file the recall in Japan on Monday, covering 90,000 high-end sedans. An official at Japan’s transport ministry said he had been informed that Toyota was also planning a recall in North America and Europe.”

Vehicles affected contain Toyota’s 3.5-liter V6 or 4.6-liter V8 and include some Lexus LS460, Lexus LS600h, Lexus LS600hL, Lexus GS350, Lexus GS450h, Lexus GS460 and Lexus IS350 models, writes The Wall Street Journal.

In a press release by Toyota, the company states that, “Lexus has discovered faulty valve springs in some V8 and V6 engines in certain Lexus models sold in the U.S. Due to slight variations during the manufacturing process, some foreign material may have contaminated the valve springs resulting in potential breakage.”

The results of this faulty valve spring can lead to what Toyota calls, “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.”

Although reports seem to imply a U.S. recall is still up in the air, it seems highly unlikely that Toyota won’t address the U.S. market sometime next week and issue a formal recall, given their acknowledgement of the problem and their recent fine by the U.S. government for delaying some recalls.

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