Recall Alert: Lexus LS 460

By Tim Healey

Tim Healey

Contributing Writer BIO

Tim Healey was formerly an associate editor at Consumer Guide Automotive in Chicago. Before that he worked in the automotive industry as a service... More

LATEST ARTICLE
Saudi Woman Faces Charges For Driving During Emergency
Residents of the United States likely take their driving privileges for granted. Not so in Saudi... Read More

• N/ALEADERBOARD RANK
• 639ARTICLES CONTRIBUTED
• 0COMMENTS POSTED

2 3,401 views Jul 2, 2010

2010 Lexus LS 460 L

Enlarge Photo

UPDATE NUMBER 2--Toyota has announced the recall of 138,000 GS, LS, and IS models sold in the U.S. with the 4.6-liter V-8, 5.0-liter V-8, or 3.5-liter V-6. The affected models are model-year 2006, 2007, and 2008. A formal notice will be filed the week of July 5, and Toyota will replace the valve springs of affected vehicles. 

Toyota says owners can continue to drive their vehicles, but they should immediately head to a dealership if symptoms such as stalling or rough idling occur. Owners whose cars are affected will receive letters via first-class mail from Toyota.

UPDATE--It appears that Toyota could recall as many as 270,000 vehicles worldwide, with 137,000 in the U.S. The potential recall has been expanded to cover the GS 350, GS 460h, IS 350, LS 600h L, and GS 460. As Lexus aficionados might recognize from the models involved, the 3.5-liter V-6 engine may also be involved. 

No word on a cause for the stalling yet, but a problem with valve springs could be the culprit.

Original story is below.

Toyota's recall problems continue, with news that the company may be considering a world-wide recall of its Lexus LS 460 sedan due to a problem with stalling engines.

It's important to note that no recall action has been taken yet, but Toyota is considering it. All that's known so far is that Toyota is investigating a problem with the engine that causes it to stall out while running. Sometimes, the engine won't re-fire. Toyota says it has not received any reports of accidents being caused by the problem.

It's unclear what Toyota would need to do to fix the problem--at this point it's too early to tell whether it's a computer-software or mechanical-parts issue--but a recall could include "tens of thousands" of LS units, according to one report.

In the meantime, Toyota will investigate the issue and look after other models that use the same engine, to see if stalling is a concern in those vehicles. The stalling issue appears to have its origins in the Japanese home market, but if a recall is issued, it would be world-wide and affect models that were sold in the U.S.

[Chicago Breaking Business]