Toyota, the most reliable brand on the market according to absolutely all analyses, has just announced that it will have to face one of the most expensive recall campaigns in recent years: it will completely replace the 3.4-liter V6 twin-turbo engines in more than 100,000 vehicles after detecting an internal manufacturing fault. The measure affects Toyota Tundra and Lexus LX models manufactured between November 2021 and February 2023, and although it was initially thought that only a percentage might be affected, the brand has decided not to take risks: all the engines from that series will be replaced, without exception.
The problem, after analysis, seems to come from metallic residues that were not properly removed during the engine production, and these remains can cause power loss until the car stops while driving. And although initially, the cases were isolated, Toyota has already received more than 800 warranty claims and 166 technical reports, so they have opted for the most decisive action: recall and replace.
More than 100,000 affected units
The campaign covers exactly 98,600 units of the Toyota Tundra and 3,500 of the Lexus LX, all with non-hybrid versions of the 3.4-liter V6 engine. Toyota notified the situation to NHTSA in May 2024, and although the exact percentage of defective engines is still unknown, the decision is clear: all the engines from that production period will be replaced to avoid any risk on the road.
What exactly failed
This is not a visible breakdown or wear from use. The origin is in microscopic metal particles that were left inside the engine during assembly. Over time, these remains cause internal detonations, failed starts, and, in extreme cases, complete engine stoppage while driving.
The first case was reported to the brand in 2022, when a customer informed that their vehicle had stopped for no apparent reason. From there, Toyota’s technical team followed the trail until they found the origin of the problem, recording 166 technical reports and more than 800 warranty claims.
What owners need to do
Toyota has confirmed that it will send official notices before the end of this month. Owners will be able to take their vehicle to any authorized dealership to have the engine completely replaced at no cost.
Although this involves a multimillion-dollar investment, the brand has decided to take it on to preserve safety and, above all, its reputation, something they value as gold in such a competitive market like the automotive one.
What if you have a hybrid version?
For now, this campaign only affects the non-hybrid engine versions. The hybrid variants of the Tundra and Lexus LX are not included. Still, Toyota is monitoring the situation and does not rule out expanding the review if it detects something similar in other lines.
How do I know if my car is affected?
If you have a Tundra or a Lexus LX manufactured between November 2021 and February 2023, you can now check your VIN number on Toyota’s official website or visit your trusted dealership. Even if you have not yet received the letter, you can already verify if you are part of the affected group.
Protecting the image
While many brands extend timelines or minimize their problems until they can no longer hide them, Toyota has done just the opposite. They have acknowledged the fault, investigated rigorously, and opted to replace all the engines directly. A costly decision but also strategic: to prevent the problem from escalating and demonstrate that customer safety remains their priority.
The repair will be free for users, but the overall bill will be extremely high. Still, Toyota has decided to take the hit to avoid risking its reliability. Because sometimes, the best way to save your reputation is to act before it’s too late.