The Recall Desk
Our severity:SevereNHTSA·13V395000·Announced 2013-09-04

Toyota Recalls Lexus Vehicles for Engine Component Bolt Failure Risk

Toyota is recalling specific Lexus GS 350, IS 350, and IS 350C vehicles because engine bolts may loosen, potentially causing the engine to stop while driving.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).

The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a structural vehicle defect where engine failure could cause the vehicle to stop while driving, increasing the risk of a crash, which aligns with the 'Severe' criteria for structural defects and significant injury risk.

Plain-English summary

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Lexus GS 350, 2006-2011 Lexus IS 350, and 2010-2011 Lexus IS 350C vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with the 2GR-FSE engine, which uses bolts to secure the housing and sprocket of the Variable-Valve Timing (VVT) system gear assembly.

The recall is issued because these bolts could become loose due to abnormal impacts generated within the gear assembly immediately after a cold start-up. If the bolts loosen, the VVT gear housing and sprocket could separate, resulting in the engine stopping while the vehicle is being driven. This failure increases the risk of a crash.

Toyota will notify owners, and Lexus dealers will replace the VVT unit free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.

The recalled product

Product
LEXUS IS 350, GS 350, IS 350C
Brand
LEXUS
Manufacturer
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Category
Vehicle — Engine Component
Hazard
Affected units
101,584

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Model numbers (3)

  • IS 350
  • GS 350
  • IS 350C

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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