Vehicles Affected: Approximately 44,000 model-year 2020 Lexus ES 300h sedans; model-year 2020 Toyota Avalon Hybrid, Camry and Camry Hybrid sedans; and model-year 2019-20 Toyota RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid SUVs

The Problem: An engine block was manufactured incorrectly, which may cause coolant to leak during normal engine operation. This can lead to engine noise, engine smoke, warning lights or a malfunction indicator illumination, an audible chime sounding, possible engine overheating and possible internal mechanical engine damage, increasing the risk of a stall and a crash. For both hybrid and conventional gas vehicles, the mechanical engine damage could also cause engine oil to leak, which in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of fire.

The Fix: Dealers will inspect the engine block casting serial number and, if it’s determined to be involved, will replace the engine and engine block with a new one for free.

What Owners Should Do: Lexus manufacturer Toyota will begin notifying owners in early April. Owners can call Toyota at 800-331-4331, Lexus at 800-255-3987, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s vehicle-safety hotline at 888-327-4236 or visit its website to check their vehicle identification number and learn more.

In a written statement, Toyota announced that about 250 out of the 44,191 recalled vehicles will actually need their engine replaced, but dealers will have to check the serial numbers on the engine blocks in recalled vehicles to determine whether they were part of the faulty batch.