2022–23 Toyota Tundra and Lexus LX Requires Engine Replacement
April 25, 2025- Categories: Lemon Law by Vehicle Brand
Modern passenger cars and trucks, while generally rugged and complex, are also delicate machines. Defects that are imperceptible to the average consumer can cause a new vehicle to fail unexpectedly and in a manner that could endanger its occupants. Owners of defective vehicles must pay attention to recall notices, as failing to do so can lead to injury or fatal wrecks.
Lexus and Toyota are two well-known brands that consumers often associate with reliability. However, if you own a late-model Toyota Tundra or Lexus LX, you may have a defective vehicle. A nationwide recall for certain Toyota and Lexus vehicles was recently issued, and your safety may now hinge on getting your vehicle back to the dealership as soon as possible.
What Does It Mean When a Vehicle Is Recalled?
Auto manufacturers can issue voluntary recalls when they have reason to believe certain vehicles have defects that compromise their safety or performance. A “voluntary” recall simply means that the manufacturer has decided to issue the recall of its own volition; it does not mean that you should ignore the recall notice.
An “involuntary” recall, in contrast, is issued when a government agency, such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), determines that certain vehicles are unsafe. These recalls are typically issued when there is an imminent safety risk, and it is essential to remove the vehicles from the road quickly.
In either type of recall, the manufacturer or government agency, respectively, will attempt to contact the owners of the affected vehicles and publish a recall notice online. These notices include information about the affected vehicles, the nature of the defects, and what owners should do in response.
Recall Issued for Some Toyota and Lexus Vehicles
In early 2024, Toyota issued a recall affecting a large portion of its vehicles. The recall was prompted by concerns about a defect that could impact these vehicles’ engine performance. Toyota sent out notices to owners over the summer of 2024. To date, there have been no reported injuries or deaths involving recalled vehicles.
If you have questions about what to do following a recalled vehicle, contact Neale & Fhima APC, California lemon law lawyers, at 949-661-1007.
Vehicles Affected by the Recall
The recall pertains to approximately 100,000 Toyota Tundra pickup trucks and Lexus LX 600 SUVs manufactured between 2022 and 2023. Specifically, the affected Tundras were made between November 2, 2021, and February 13, 2023, and the affected Lexus SUVs were built between July 30, 2021, and November 25, 2022. All vehicles affected by the recall were those with gas-only V35A twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V6 engines. Tundras and LX 600s with hybrid engines are not included in the recall.
Why Vehicles Are Being Recalled
Toyota initiated the recall out of concern that a manufacturing defect could compromise engine performance and pose a safety risk. During the vehicles’ construction, debris was left inside the engines of the affected vehicles. These minuscule particles have the potential to get caught inside the engine’s parts and compromise its performance, even causing it to suddenly and unexpectedly lose power, even while in motion. If that were to happen, the driver might not be able to control the vehicle safely.
A sudden loss of power on the highway could also place the driver in a hazardous and compromising situation.
Determining Whether Your Vehicle Is Affected
Recall notices went out over the summer of 2024 to owners of affected vehicles. However, it is possible that some owners did not receive the recall notice. If you have not received a notice but believe the recall might involve your vehicle, you can go to Toyota’s website or the NHTSA’s recall webpage to check.
What to Do if Your Vehicle Is Recalled
If you determine that the recall does encompass your vehicle, do not delay in taking action. Bring your vehicle to your local Toyota or Lexus dealership for repair. Toyota has announced that it will completely replace the engines of affected vehicles, free of charge. It will also pay for a rental or loaner vehicle until your car is repaired.
What if Your Vehicle Still Has Issues After Being Repaired?
You Deserve to Have a Functional and Safe Vehicle
Fully replacing the engine should resolve any performance issues you might have noticed. However, if you get your truck or SUV back and continue to notice engine performance issues, you should take the vehicle back for further service. The engine replacement should be under warranty, meaning additional repairs would be free.
Under California’s Lemon Law, Toyota is allowed to make several reasonable attempts to repair your vehicle. However, if you continue to experience the same issue after a number of attempted repairs, you may have a lemon on your hands (that is, a car with a flaw so significant that it makes the vehicle unfit to drive). Toyota would need to either repurchase the vehicle from you or give you a replacement vehicle.
Contact Neale & Fhima APC for Additional Assistance
Recall notices are meant to clearly explain what they pertain to and what action the people affected by the recall should take. However, these notices are not always clear, and they may not reach the people who need to see them. That can lead to an accident that causes severe or even fatal injuries, and your rights in such a situation could extend beyond simply having a defective product repaired or replaced.
Call Neale & Fhima APC, California lemon law lawyers, at 949-661-1007 if you have been hurt because of a consumer product or vehicle.
Attorney Aaron Fhima
Attorney Aaron Fhima is a trial attorney who has secured numerous settlements and verdicts against large corporations and some of the largest auto manufacturers in the world. Representing consumers and injury victims throughout the state of California, Aaron’s practice areas include personal injury, and lemon law litigation. Aaron has a long record of success taking on large defense firms; and he doesn’t hesitate to take cases to trial when necessary to enforce his clients’ rights.
