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Toyota Launches Major Engine Replacement Recall
As December approaches, Toyota is gearing up for an extensive engine replacement initiative, marking one of the largest recalls in the company’s history. This recall affects a significant number of vehicles due to a serious issue with its 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engines found in select models.
In May, Toyota disclosed that it would recall its pickups, specifically the 2022 and 2023 Toyota Tundra, along with Lexus LX SUVs, citing potential engine failure. The failures stem from the presence of metal debris—known as swarf—in the engine oil, a result of insufficient cleaning during assembly of engine components.
While the straightforward remedy would typically involve disassembling, cleaning, and reassembling the affected engines, Toyota has opted for a more sweeping solution: complete engine replacements. This approach, while effective, has raised concerns due to the scale of the recall affecting 102,292 vehicles and the extensive labor required to complete each replacement, estimated to take between 13 to 21 hours.
Kent Rice, Toyota Group Vice President of Quality, emphasized the company’s focus on simplifying the process for technicians: “We’ve spent a lot of time consulting different groups, including dealer councils, and they have been really helpful in their feedback.” This planning is intended to streamline operations and make engine swaps more manageable for dealerships and their staff.
Replacing an engine weighs in at roughly 400 pounds, with Toyota indicating that this task could be accomplished by a single technician. However, many dealerships may prefer to use two technicians to handle the workload, reflecting the varied operational approaches among different service centers. This extensive recall not only aims to address the engine issue but also provides an invaluable learning opportunity for newer technicians, allowing them to gain hands-on experience in complex engine replacements.
Steve Gates, owner of the Gates Auto Family, noted the potential for skill development among technicians, sharing insights based on past experiences with Toyota recalls, such as the replacement of rusty frames on Tacoma models. “We had one tech that designed his own special tools, and he could knock out that job like crazy,” Gates recounted, projecting similar outcomes for the current engine recall.
While the opportunity for technical growth exists, managing customer appointments poses a different challenge. Some dealerships have noted that many customers are not rushing to address the recall immediately, as they are not currently experiencing issues. Gates mentioned that his establishments are prepared for an inflow of service requests, but anticipation is tempered by customer responses, which indicate a level of indifference toward immediate action.
Engine replacements will be scheduled by appointment, as dealerships are unlikely to keep replacement engines in stock. Instead, engines will be ordered from Toyota once a repair is confirmed, ensuring continuity with the same technician working on the car from start to finish.
While Toyota is financing vehicle loaners for affected customers, some dealerships may face challenges in providing suitable replacement vehicles, especially for those whose Tundras are integral to their work. Gates highlighted his intention to adjust loaner inventories by transitioning trucks from current stock to ensure customer needs are met.
Customers with affected Tundras and LX SUVs will receive notifications by early December to arrange their engine replacements. Although no specific timeline has been established for completing the recall program, owners can verify if their vehicles are impacted by visiting Toyota’s official website or by entering their Vehicle Identification Number or license plate details at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Source
autos.yahoo.com