V35A-FTS bearing issue?

[OregonLC]

In reading between the lines, the recall is motivated because of the risk of crash due to power failure rather than serve as a comprehensive remedy to the owners. Hybrids can continue to drag themselves off the road and to the bank, I suppose?

This also fairly clearly states that they don't believe this failure mode applies to engines manufactured after this period. So 2024 MY trucks shown on YouTubes with failures either have engines that were sitting on the shelf or there's a different failure mode.

I suppose Toyota's position is 'hey, it's under warranty and we're making the repairs. what more do you want?'

 

[OSS]

what more do you want?

An engine that I can trust to take me to Timbuktu and back 10 times without worry or failure.

It’s going to take several more years now before I’d trust that engine to take me to remote places - and back.

 

[Adam R]

Honestly, now that an issue has been identified with this engine, I would not worry much about all new engines being built going forward. Toyota is going to go out of their way to ensure new engines are free of any extra debris.

 

[SanJuanJ]

Honestly, now that an issue has been identified with this engine, I would not worry much about all new engines being built going forward. Toyota is going to go out of their way to ensure new engines are free of any extra debris.

I can possibly put a little faith into the idea that engines manufactured after the formal recall announcement was made will be more trustworthy (if not, that's just ridiculous). But I'd bet cash there are vehicles made after the end of the initial recall period (mfg after early 2023 or whatever it is) and / or models not included in the current recall are failing / going to fail.

 

[OSS]

The LX 600 has that engine in it and it’s not part of the recall — yet a few have run into the same engine problem

 

[Tigerstripe40]

The LX 600 has that engine in it and it’s not part of the recall — yet a few have run into the same engine problem

Straight from the horses mouth

PLANO, Texas (May 30, 2024)—Toyota is conducting a safety recall involving certain model year 2022–2023 Toyota Tundra and Lexus LX (conventional gas model only) vehicles in North America. Approximately, 102,000 Toyota and Lexus branded vehicles are involved in this recall in the U.

More here:

Toyota Recalls Certain Model Year 2022-2023 Toyota Tundra and Lexus LX Vehicles - Toyota USA Newsroom

PLANO, Texas (May 30, 2024)—Toyota is conducting a safety recall involving certain model year 2022-2023 Toyota Tundra and Lexus LX (conventional gas model only) vehicles in North America. Approximately, 102,000 Toyota and Lexus branded vehicles are involved in this recall […]

pressroom.toyota.com

 

[OSS]

Wow. The last I heard it was 110,000 Tundras 2022-2023.
Now it’s actually 280,000 vehicles. How on earth are 280,000 engines going to be torn down to replace the short block? The numbers are staggering. The work required to complete the job on just ONE engine is immense. Then multiply that by 280,000.

 

[SanJuanJ]

The LX 600 has that engine in it and it’s not part of the recall — yet a few have run into the same engine problem

Did you read the recall?

 

[Jeremy556]

Wow. The last I heard it was 110,000 Tundras 2022-2023.
Now it’s actually 280,000 vehicles. How on earth are 280,000 engines going to be torn down to replace the short block? The numbers are staggering. The work required to complete the job on just ONE engine is immense. Then multiply that by 280,000.

They are only going to tear down and fix engines that fail.

 

[SanJuanJ]

Wow. The last I heard it was 110,000 Tundras 2022-2023.
Now it’s actually 280,000 vehicles. How on earth are 280,000 engines going to be torn down to replace the short block? The numbers are staggering. The work required to complete the job on just ONE engine is immense. Then multiply that by 280,000.

Jesus, can anyone just read what's published? The post you're replying to is Tigerstripe randomly (and misleadingly) referencing a February transmission recall notice. It has nothing to do with engines. This is how forums turn into a massive misinformation machine.

 

[Tigerstripe40]

Jesus, can anyone just read what's published? The post you're replying to is Tigerstripe randomly (and misleadingly) referencing a February transmission recall notice. It has nothing to do with engines. This is how forums turn into a massive misinformation machine.

Sorry, my bad.
Found the correct one, and fixed my post.

 

[ryanjl]

Jesus, can anyone just read what's published? The post you're replying to is Tigerstripe randomly (and misleadingly) referencing a February transmission recall notice. It has nothing to do with engines. This is how forums turn into a massive misinformation machine.

Um, it's bad. My best friend's sister's boyfriend's brother's girlfriend heard from this guy who knows this kid who's going with the girl who saw a Lexus shoot craps out at 31 Flavors last night. I guess it's pretty serious.

 

[tacoshawn]

Um, it's bad. My best friend's sister's boyfriend's brother's girlfriend heard from this guy who knows this kid who's going with the girl who saw a Lexus shoot craps out at 31 Flavors last night. I guess it's pretty serious.

It needs a kidney, will you donate? And… I hope it doesn’t die, it’s getting me out of summer school.

 

[rexington14]

They are only going to tear down and fix engines that fail.

This is for the best - for both Toyota, and for the owners of these vehicles. if the engine is running fine, which most (99%+?) are, is it really worth having your engine torn down, parts all over the dang floor, just to get this repair done on a "preventative" basis? While I trust the repair would go fine in -most- cases, I'd imagine the overall defect rate would be much higher with getting the repair done than the bearings even failing in the first place.

 

[Phillyd2]

They are only going to tear down and fix engines that fail.

I still don't see how that satisfies the safety portion of the recall. The main point of the recall is to fix them before it goes limp and maybe causes an accident.

 

[Rednexus]

This is for the best - for both Toyota, and for the owners of these vehicles. if the engine is running fine, which most (99%+?) are, is it really worth having your engine torn down, parts all over the dang floor, just to get this repair done on a "preventative" basis? While I trust the repair would go fine in -most- cases, I'd imagine the overall defect rate would be much higher with getting the repair done than the bearings even failing in the first place.

Is it really? If I had paid $70K for one of these trucks, I would be awfully unhappy if I had an engine failure something like 1,500 miles from home (say, on a camper trip). This would start a logistical nightmare in first getting a short-distance tow off the highway to the nearest town. After that, it would get worse in figuring out how and where the truck gets repaired, how the camper gets towed home, how you and your family get home, and what kind of a loaner vehicle you get for a month, then figuring out how the vehicle gets back to you. Is Toyota going to pay for all that (which would be thousands of dollars), plus the engine replacement? I'd have to read their warranty policy but I'm guessing they don't pay for incidental or loss of use damages.

I'm throwing this example out there as we'll be using our then 18-year old GX to tow our camper to WY and MT next year, where we'll get up to 1,700 miles from home. At least I can diagnose and fix my GX on the side of the road.

We'll see how this all shakes out but I personally see the values of the affected vehicles being lower on the used market. Both for the non-repaired ones (due to the risk of random catastrophic engine failure) and the repaired ones (due to the mechanic missing something or getting debris in the engine due to the job).

 

[rexington14]

Is it really? If I had paid $70K for one of these trucks, I would be awfully unhappy if I had an engine failure something like 1,500 miles from home (say, on a camper trip). This would start a logistical nightmare in first getting a short-distance tow off the highway to the nearest town. After that, it would get worse in figuring out how and where the truck gets repaired, how the camper gets towed home, how you and your family get home, and what kind of a loaner vehicle you get for a month, then figuring out how the vehicle gets back to you. Is Toyota going to pay for all that (which would be thousands of dollars), plus the engine replacement? I'd have to read their warranty policy but I'm guessing they don't pay for incidental or loss of use damages.

I'm throwing this example out there as we'll be using our then 18-year old GX to tow our camper to WY and MT next year, where we'll get up to 1,700 miles from home. At least I can diagnose and fix my GX on the side of the road.

We'll see how this all shakes out but I personally see the values of the affected vehicles being lower on the used market. Both for the non-repaired ones (due to the risk of random catastrophic engine failure) and the repaired ones (due to the mechanic missing something or getting debris in the engine due to the job).

Yes, I think it really is the best, practical remedy. Offer an extended warranty to fix the failed, or failing engines. Maybe include an (optional?) instruction for owners to bring the vehicle in where a tech will take it for a joyride, look for obvious signs of failure like knocking, running rough, maybe hook up to live data, but that's the extent of it. If nothing obvious is detected you are sent on your way with instruction to "bring it back" if these warning signs develop.

 

[Rednexus]

Yes, I think it really is the best, practical remedy. Offer an extended warranty to fix the failed, or failing engines. Maybe include an (optional?) instruction for owners to bring the vehicle in where a tech will take it for a joyride, look for obvious signs of failure like knocking, running rough, maybe hook up to live data, but that's the extent of it. If nothing obvious is detected you are sent on your way with instruction to "bring it back" if these warning signs develop.

Thereby leaving the customer with the risk of experiencing a catastrophic failure and corresponding major inconvenience, along with reduced resale value. However, I don't disagree that a preemptive R&R is also risky and costly. Presumably Toyota is weighing all of the options as they develop a remedy.

Either way, I'm glad I don't own one of the affected rigs. Depending on how bad this problem gets, Toyota is also at risk of a class-action lawsuit.

 

[OSS]

They are being cheapskates. The “best” solution is for them to develop a prebuilt crate engine.
When the contaminated old engine seizes, it gets towed to the dealership and they swap out the entire engine assembly in a day or two. Done.
The way they’re doing it now is an absolute nightmare. Every component is removed from the engine, then just the short block is replaced - then al those countless parts need to be bolted back on - correctly.

 

[rexington14]

By announcing the safety recall Toyota is now obligated (by law) to either repair, replace, or refund any affected vehicles within the listed production periods. Being cheap isn't really going to be an option.

The question is - is there an accurate, feasible way to inspect and make a determination that a particular vehicle is affected? Is a relatively simple point-in-time inspection sufficient (presence of knocking, running rough, noises, live data discrepancies, etc)? Or is a more involved inspection required to make this determination (partial teardown, drop oil pan)? Or is there no way to inspect and accurately make this determination?

Also, we don't know how the 824 confirmed failure cases presented. How many of these failed during operation with no warning signs and were towed in from the side of the road, versus how many were driven to the dealership by the owner because they had a CEL / knocking / noises / rough idle, etc?