Toyota has initiated a recall for more than 43,000 Tundra pickup trucks, citing an engine defect that poses a risk of vehicles losing power while in operation, potentially increasing the likelihood of a crash. The recall specifically targets certain Toyota Tundra trucks manufactured between February 7, 2024, and August 5, 2024.
"In the subject vehicles, an engine stall while driving leads to a loss of motive power. A vehicle loss of motive power while driving at higher speeds can increase the risk of a crash." — Toyota Recall Notice
According to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the affected vehicles are equipped with a particular version of Toyota's V35A engine. Investigations revealed that the crankshaft main bearings within these engines may have been contaminated by machining debris during the manufacturing process. This debris, if of a specific size and quantity, may not have been fully removed during production and could have entered the engine assembly.
The presence of such contamination can lead to significant damage to critical engine components, manifesting in a range of performance issues. Toyota has identified several potential symptoms associated with the defect, including engine knocking, rough engine operation, failure to start, and unexpected engine stalling. The company's recall notice explicitly states that "an engine stall while driving leads to a loss of motive power," further cautioning that "a vehicle loss of motive power while driving at higher speeds can increase the risk of a crash."
While the recall encompasses 43,566 vehicles, Toyota estimates that approximately 1% of these recalled trucks may actually be affected by the underlying problem. Owners of the impacted Tundra trucks are slated to begin receiving notification letters starting July 6. As of now, Toyota has not publicly announced a definitive repair solution for the recalled vehicles. The automaker has indicated that its dealers will receive detailed instructions once a remedy has been fully determined.
This latest recall by Toyota follows a similar, larger-scale action taken last year. In that instance, the company recalled over 113,000 Tundra pickup trucks, nearly 10,000 Lexus LX SUVs, and more than 3,000 Lexus GX SUVs due to comparable contamination issues identified during the manufacturing process. Industry observers noted that, for many vehicles in the previous recall, Toyota ultimately opted to replace entire affected engines rather than attempting smaller, component-level repairs.
Automotive publication The Autopian has reported that Toyota has yet to release a technical service bulletin outlining its proposed strategy for addressing the newly recalled trucks. The publication speculated, "With the initial recall, Toyota changed the engines in affected models out for new assemblies. It’s possible that manufacturing changes will be made, and we’ll see the same sort of fix here." The final repair strategy, however, remains uncertain until Toyota provides official guidance to its network of dealers and to its customers.
Consumers concerned about their vehicles can ascertain if their truck is included in the recall by inputting their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the NHTSA recall website or through Toyota’s dedicated recall information portal. The NHTSA strongly advises vehicle owners to respond promptly to recall notices and to contact authorized dealers if they experience any of the identified symptoms, such as unusual engine noises, rough operation, or unexpected stalling.
As of the current reporting, Toyota has not received any reports of crashes, injuries, or fatalities directly linked to this specific engine defect. The company has affirmed its commitment to continuing its investigation into the issue and collaborating with regulatory bodies to ensure that all affected vehicles are repaired as swiftly as possible once an appropriate remedy becomes available.
