Lexus Loses Face, Recalls 270,000 Vehicles

Toyota Motor Corp has officially issued a recall of some 270,000 Lexus and Toyota Crown vehicles, making good on the plans announced last week. Vehicles will be recalled in the US, Japan, Canada, Europe, Australia, and other countries. The recall is due to potential defects that may lead to engine failures. Small valve springs made of low-quality metal can crack, possibly resulting in the engine stalling.

According to a statement issued by the luxury automaker, “Lexus estimates that the likelihood of a customer experiencing this condition is 0.2%.” If an owner were to have an issue, the automaker says they would experience rough idling or abnormal engine noise.

Recalled models are as follows:

GS 250 and 450h – model year 2007-2008
GS 460 – model year 2008
IS 350 – model year 2006-2008
LS 460 and LS 460 L – model year 2007-2008
LS 600hL – model year 2008

Owners of these vehicles will receive a recall notification in the mail asking them to visit a Lexus dealer for repairs. Dealers will replace the valve spring with a higher-quality spring at no cost. Toyota Motor Corp says that in the meantime, owners can continue to use their vehicles.

This is yet another blow for the beleaguered automaker, which has fallen from 6th or 21st place in J.D. Power and Associates’ survey of initial quality.