Engine Recall Update: Lexus & Toyota to Replace Over 100,000 LX 600 & Tundra Engines

The latest engine recall proves costly for Toyota, who committed to replacing all engines of affected 3.5L V6 Tundras and Lexus LX 600s at no charge.

Back in May 2024, Toyota announced a large engine recall for the Tundra and Lexus LX 600, specifically due to contamination inside the engines. Machining debris during the manufacturing process got in the cylinders, causing anything from rough-running to rod knock in affected vehicles. It’s the latest in a string of recalls dating back several years, spanning the entire lifetime of the third-gen Tundra and second-gen LX.  Currently, Toyota faces a rising number of recalls affecting a number of Toyota’s current model range. This marks the first which directly affects the third-gen Tundra’s engine. However, the flagship pickup suffered from a wide variety of issues of its own. Going back further this year, for example, Toyota issued a recall for about 280,000 vehicles for transmissions staying in gear when shifted into neutral. Among others, with a lookup available on Toyota’s official site located here.

Toyota adopted the twin-turbo V6 for Tundras in the 2022 year as part of the full-size truck’s, and flagship Lexus SUV’s, third generations, replacing the much loved, naturally-aspirated 2UZ-FE V8 from the Tundra and LX 570. Many were concerned that shifting from one of the most reliable V8s ever made to a twin-turbocharged V6 and, at least for now, those concerns appear validated.

Toyota’s Solution

The Japanese manufacturer has decided to replace all engines of the vehicles affected by this recall for no charge. The specific vehicles affected include model years 2022-2023 Toyota Tundra and Lexus LX 600, equipped with the twin-turbo 3.5L V6. Owners of these vehicles should start receiving notices from Toyota within the coming days. According to Toyota, the recall only affects vehicles not equipped with the hybrid powertrain option. The fix will take place at Toyota authorized dealers, expected to take between 13 to 21 hours of labor.

The Tundra name was synonymous with reliability for decades, boasting industry-renowned longevity with its powertrains. However, even the perennial early models suffered from premature rust on rear crossmembers. There’s no such thing as a perfect vehicle. But it’s generally accepted that it’s really hard to go wrong with a Tundra when it comes to long-lived vehicles. That said, the latest generation debuted to a myriad of problems, cropping up just a couple only months after its introduction. This led to the first of no fewer than nine recalls for the 2022 model year alone. These recalls include: leaky fuel lines, a rear axle that may separate from the housing from loose flange nuts, the aforementioned transmission issue, and multiple software glitches. Ouch. On the plus side, Toyota remains fully committed to repairing each and every one of these faults, certainly at great cost to the company.

Photos: Michael S. Palmer

M.C. Cuccio

I've been an automotive aficionado since I had baby teeth. My path was set when I first leaned on my grandfather's classic Porsche as I learned how to walk. One of my first memories was my mother sitting me behind the wheel of her Pontiac and talking me through the instrumentation and controls. Even though I was a mere three or four years old, I was instantly sold, and filled notebooks with technical drawings, sketches, and collections of manuals of all sorts of cars. I've actively tracked developments in automotive and motorsport technology for well over 20 years, and pride myself on being intimately familiar with the functions and history of a wide range of vehicles.

My primary goal as a writer and enthusiast is to equally learn and share what I've learned in a constructive and interesting way. I maintain connections with people from around the world and can read technical manuals in Italian, Japanese, and Spanish, granting me access to a wide array of resources. My primary focuses are deep-dives into historical topics, motorsport discussion, and learning about the complex mechanical elements of such vehicles. As such, my research is never perfect; as anyone into cars will attest, the more you learn about cars, the more you realize how little you actually know. Therefore, I always welcome fresh knowledge and corrections to help me better my work in the future.