Toyota mulls recall of flagship Lexus sedan due to engine failure

NAGOYA, July 1 Kyodo -
Toyota Motor Corp. is considering a global recall of eight models including its
top-of-the-line LS460 sedan of the flagship Lexus series due to possible engine
failure, its officials said Thursday.
The top Japanese automaker is set to file for a recall or voluntary repair as
early as the start of next week.
Up to around 270,000 cars worldwide, including roughly 90,000 units sold in
Japan, could be subject to Toyota's latest recall due to fears that in a
worst-case scenario, the engine could stop while a car is running, the
officials said.
Apart from the LS460, other Lexus models -- the LS600h, LS600hL, GS350, GS450h,
GS460 and IS350 -- and Toyota's Crown will be subject to Toyota's latest
recall, the officials said.
Of the eight models, three -- the LS460, LS600h and LS600hL hybrids -- were
recalled in Japan in May because of a steering system defect, they said.
The latest development may deal yet another blow to the company's efforts to
redeem its reputation for quality vehicles through stricter quality control
checks following massive recalls and voluntary repairs for more than 10 million
vehicles worldwide over problems including sudden acceleration.
According to the officials, there is a defect in the valve spring, which
produces an unusual sound or makes idling unstable.
A Toyota spokesperson said, ''The car will just gradually slow down, but there
is no danger of a sudden stop.''
The defect may have been caused by the presence of foreign substances in the
valve spring during manufacturing.
So far, there have been around 200 complaints, including about the unusual
sound, but no reports of accidents, according to the officials.
The automaker, based in Aichi Prefecture, is discussing measures to address the
issue, such as replacing the defective valve spring, with the Land,
Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry, and it may decide on voluntary
repairs or mandatory recalls, the officials said.
The LS460, which has a 4,600-cc engine, was first released in 2006 and was
partially remodeled last fall.
It was one of four models, including its two hybrid versions, recalled in Japan
in late May due to problems linked to Toyota's variable gear ratio steering
system, which controls the movement of a car's wheels in line with the steering
wheel.
Last Friday, Toyota announced it will recall a different Lexus model -- the
2010 model of its luxury hybrid Lexus HS250h sold in the United States -- over
concern that it could cause a fuel spill in a collision.
==Kyodo