Hybrid8

I would hate to have new car having a engine replaced, it would probably never be the same.

Toyota is recalling 52,000 vehicles in North America over a heightened risk for coolant leakage, which could lead to engine overheating and damage, possible stalling and even a fire.

The recall covers the 2020-model-year Toyota Camry, Camry Hybrid and Lexus ES 300h models; as well as 2019- and 2020-model-year Toyota RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid SUVs.

In the United States, around 44,000 vehicles may be affected; in Canada that number is 8,214 cars and trucks.

The issue stems from an improperly manufactured engine block, which can leak coolant during normal engine operation. “This can lead to engine noise, engine smoke, warning lights/malfunction indicator illumination, an audible chime sounding, and/or, in some cases, engine overheating and possible internal mechanical engine damage,” said Toyota in a statement.

Affected vehicles with a coolant leak could stall while driving, which could lead to an accident if it happens without warning. A vehicle with a coolant leak could also develop an oil leak, and “in the presence of an ignition source, can lead to an increased risk of fire.”


Once the vehicle is returned to a dealership, it will be inspected to see if it’s one of the affected. “Toyota and Lexus dealers will inspect the engine block casting serial number to determine if it is involved,” the automaker says. “In the cases where an involved engine block is identified, dealers will replace the engine including the engine block with a new one at no cost to customers.”

No accidents or injuries have been reported by Toyota as a result of this defect, and owners will be be notified by early April if their vehicles are part of the recall.

Ken7

Wow, replacement of the entire engine. Yikes!

PeterA

It sounds like they had a pretty bad defect in the engine block itself.The only thing they can do is change the engine.

LeeSoFL

Toyota is having a tough year with these frequently announced recalls.

mikemu30

Surprised it's not more vehicles though given the sales of those models - RAV4 in particular.

Tootsall

Also strange that it would be affecting both the V-6 and the 4 Hybrid.....(unless there was an out-of-spec batch of casting material supplied to the engine plant?)

JDR76

I don't see any V6 models listed. Looks like they had a bad batch of blocks for the new 2.5 Dynamic Force engine.

Tootsall

Well, they did list Camry (and RAV) without saying that it was the I4 or the V6 in addition to the hybrid so although it did not exclude the V-6, I agree with you that it seems to suggest that it is only the I4 that is affected. That would at least make the volumes affected make more sense and narrow the issue down to one engine casting or machining plant.

JDR76

You are certainly correct in that they didn't note if they are referring to the V6 or I4 Camry (there is no V6 RAV4). So indeed I am assuming, since all of the other cars listed are the 2.5, that they are only recalling the 2.5 and not the 3.5. A more informative press release will help.

swfla

iTrader: (1)

Wow. Feeling bad for owners waiting to find out if their block is affected. Imagine how long it'll take to get to all these engines. Time will tell.

UKEE

According to the article I just read, this was due to a flow problem of cooling water into the casting machine causing the blocks to not be cooled properly. If this company (in Tennessee) is the one I'm thinking of, my previous employer was contracted several times to add flow meters to the casting machines (of several products including pistons, transmission housings, water pumps, engine blocks) but we closed before getting even close to doing the plant. Not sure that the plant finished but if this plant is indeed the culprit, I can bet that they will be FORCED to do upgrades now.

EastTNLex

Here is a link to more specific info on the Engine Block Recall:

https://toyota.oemdtc.com/694/safety...-lexus-es-300h