Safety Recall BLA – Preliminary Notice Certain 2006 – 2007 GS 300/350, 2006 – Early 2009 IS 250 and 2006 – Early 2008 IS 350 Vehicles

Insufficient Tightening of the Fuel Pressure Sensor

Wednesday, January 26, 2011: Lexus will file a Defect Information Report (DIR) with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) informing the agency of our intent to conduct a Safety Recall on certain 2006 – 2007 GS 300/350, 2006 – Early 2009 IS 250 and 2006 – Early 2008 IS 350 vehicles.

Due to insufficient tightening of the fuel pressure sensor connected to certain engine fuel delivery pipes (those with nickel phosphorus plating), there is a possibility that, over time, the pressure sensor could loosen. If loosening occurs, fuel could leak past a gasket used in the connection between the sensor and pipe and through the threaded portion of the sensor.

Lexus dealers will be requested to inspect affected vehicles for fuel leakage. If no leakage is found, dealers will be requested to tighten the fuel pressure sensor to the proper torque spec. If the fuel pressure sensor does not turn when tightening to the specified torque, dealers will be requested to replace the gasket between the fuel pressure sensor and fuel delivery pipe and tighten to the sensor to the proper torque spec. If a fuel leak is confirmed, dealers will be requested to replace the gasket between the sensor and the fuel delivery pipe with a new one and to tighten the sensor to the proper torque spec.

The following preliminary information is provided to inform you and your staff of the filing of the DIR for this Safety Recall and your degree of involvement.

Lexus Owner Recall Notification Mailing Dates

The owner notification will commence when parts become available. The Lexus Q&A is attached for your use when responding to customer questions.

Only owners of the affected vehicles will be notified. If your dealership is contacted by an owner who would like to know if their vehicle is affected, please verify vehicle eligibility by confirming through TIS.

The affected VINs will be posted on TIS on Wednesday, January 26. During the preliminary phase of this Safety Recall affected vehicles will be identified with a ‘B2A’ code.

Implementation at Dealerships

Technical instructions, tools, part information, and warranty claim submission instructions will be provided when parts become available. All associates who have a part in this Safety Recall should be familiar with the contents of this letter.

Pre-Owned Vehicles in Dealer Inventory

Lexus requests that dealers not deliver any pre-owned Lexus vehicles in their inventory which are involved in this Safety Recall until the defect has been remedied.

If a dealer wishes to sell or deliver a pre-owned vehicle covered by this Safety Recall, it is important the dealer clearly communicate to the consumer that the vehicle has been identified by Lexus as subject to a recently announced Safety Recall and that the consumer will be notified by Lexus when the remedy parts are available.

Also, as a reminder, Lexus CPO policy prohibits the certification of any vehicle with an outstanding Special Service Campaign or Safety Recall, such as this Safety Recall BLA. Thus, no affected units may be sold or delivered as a CPO vehicle until the Safety Recall has been completed on that vehicle.Parts Ordering Part number information will be provided when it is available. Customer Handling

This Safety Recall is a great opportunity to focus on assuring your customers that their safety remains Lexus’ highest priority, which will go a long way toward preserving their faith in your dealership and the Lexus brand. Please welcome these customers and answer any questions they may have. The attached Q&A is provided to assure a consistent message is communicated.

Safety Recall BLA Q&A – Preliminary Notice Certain 2006 – 2007 GS, 2006 – early 2009 IS 250 and 2006 – early 2008 IS 350 vehicles Insufficient Tightening of the Fuel Pressure Sensor

Q1: What is the condition?
A1: Due to insufficient tightening of the fuel pressure sensor connected to certain engine fuel delivery pipes (those with Nickel Phosphorus plating), there is a possibility that, over time, the pressure sensor could loosen. If loosening occurs, fuel could leak past a gasket used in the connection between the sensor and pipe and through the threaded portion of the sensor.

Q2: What is the fuel pressure sensor?
A2: The fuel pressure sensor detects the fuel pressure for the optimization of the engine control.

Q3: Are there any warnings that this condition exists?
A3: There are no warnings that this condition will occur. However, if fuel is leaking from the fuel pressure sensor, in some instances a fuel odor may be noticed from the engine compartment.

Q4: Which and how many vehicles are involved?
A4: There are approximately 244,800 vehicles involved.

Q5: Are there any other Toyota or Lexus vehicles covered by this Safety Recall?
A5: No, this Safety Recall only covers certain 2006 through 2007 GS 300/350, 2006 through early 2009 IS 250 and 2006 through early 2008 IS 350 vehicles.

Q6: What is the production period of the affected vehicles?
A6: The affected vehicles were produced:

Q7: What is Lexus going to do?
A7: Lexus is currently preparing the remedy. Once the remedy is prepared, owners of the involved vehicles will receive a Safety Recall Notification by first class mail.

Any Lexus dealer will inspect for fuel leakage. If no leakage is found, the dealer will tighten the fuel pressure sensor with the proper torque. If a fuel leak is confirmed, the gasket between the sensor and the fuel delivery pipe will be replaced with a new one, and the sensor will be tightened to the proper torque. This will be conducted at NO CHARGE to the vehicle owner.

Q8: How long will the repair take?
A8: The inspection and tightening of the fuel pressure sensor to the proper torque will take approximately two hours.

If a fuel leak is confirmed, the replacement of gasket and tightening to the proper torque will take approximately three hours. However, depending upon the dealer’s work schedule, it may be necessary to make the vehicle available for a longer period of time.

Q9: What should an owner do if they experience the condition, or have immediate concerns about their vehicle?
A9: If an owner has any immediate concerns, he or she is requested to contact a local Lexus dealer for diagnosis, and if applicable, repair.

Q10: What if an owner has additional questions or concerns?
A10: Owners with questions or concerns are asked to contact their local Lexus dealer. Owners may also contact Lexus Customer Satisfaction at 1-800-255-3987. You may also find more information at http://www.lexus.com/recall/

SMART Evaluation Process Scope Broadens

Customers reporting issues regarding acceleration have dropped 80% compared to April of 2010. This reflects the accomplishments that have been achieved due to the implementation of additional quality control measures.

Toyota’s SMART Business Process which was announced in April of 2010 addressed the accelerated conditions within 24 hours of a customer reporting them.

Smart Stop Technology

…all new Toyota vehicles for sale in North America are being equipped with Smart Stop Technology, a brake override system that provides customers with an additional level of confidence by automatically reducing engine power when a vehicle’s brake and accelerator pedals are applied simultaneously under certain driving conditions. [source:Toyota USA]

Data Recorders

…all 2011 model year Toyota, Lexus and Scion vehicles now in production are being equipped with enhanced Event Data Recorders (EDR) that provide both pre- and post-collision data. EDRs are designed to provide data to help understand how a vehicle’s various systems functioned in a collision and can play an important role in post-collision reconstruction when corroborated by physical evidence and other forensic research.[source:Toyota USA]

Testing Parts

Toyota is collaborating with its suppliers to review manufacturing processes, quality assurance policies and testing procedures for key parts, with the goal of helping them and the company strengthen existing systems and implement best practices across the supply chain.[source:Toyota USA]

Toyota has reached a settlement with the Saylor and Lastrella families regarding the crash in CA that ended in a terrible tragedy.

The following is from Toyota Newsroom that clarifies the error in which the LA TImes incorrectly stated that Bob Baker Lexus was still unresolved.

The details of the settlement are below in the original statement from Toyota about the case.

[source: Toyota Newsroom]
The Los Angeles Times report on a settlement that Toyota reached with the Saylor and Lastrella families (“Toyota settles suit over Saylor car crash” 9/17/10) fails to mention that this settlement fully resolves the families’ product liability claims against the Bob Baker Lexus dealership.

The author of the report omits this fact and, instead, incorrectly reports that “the settlement has left out co-defendant Bob Baker Lexus.” Although we clearly explained in our statement to the Times that the product liability claims against both Toyota and the dealership have been resolved, the Times published a shortened version of that statement to suggest, misleadingly, that the settlement only addressed the claims against Toyota.

Through mutual respect and cooperation, Toyota and the Saylor and Lastrella families reached an amicable agreement in mediation that fully resolves these claims without the need for litigation. We felt that was important for Toyota, the dealer and the families. Toyota is not, however, in a position to address the additional claims the families have against the dealership that are independent of Toyota.

Toyota is seeking to have the lawsuits involving unintended acceleration dismissed by a US Judge because the company states that there aren’t any specific defects that have been identified as the cause.

These lawsuits are currently being set for November 19th to take place in Santa Ana, CA. The case is surrounding the 8 million vehicles that Toyota has recalled for issues related to pedals and floor mats.

The issues related to the sudden acceleration are being claimed to date back several years.

Toyota continues to be one of the most popular vehicle manufacturers in the world with plans to push in the direction of electric power with it’s partnership with Tesla Motors. Since the electric motors are also involved with braking it would seem that these two companies will be working closely on how to create safe and reliable transportation.

Toyota has been doing quite a bit to stay on top of the issue, to reassure the public that their vehicles are safe and that all issues are being carefully examined. The efforts in making changes to the process include new resources for owners online, communication directly with engineers in webinars and live Twitter Q & A’s from the quality control division.

No company wishes to have their product questioned for it’s integrity so those who are filing the lawsuits would need to have enough factual information about what components specifically failed or the cases simply cannot be considered something that can stand up in court.

Toyota has been not only taking extra effort in seeing these issues resolved, it has been taking all the appropriate measures that this doesn’t tarnish the Toyota brand that’s always been known for it’s long lasting and reliable engineering.

Lexus 470 Steering Shaft Recall PDF - Click To Download

Lexus is recalling certain 2003 through 2007 Lexus LX 470 models for safety related to a steering shaft issue.

Steering Shaft Recall

The construction of the steering shaft is such that the snap ring on the shaft may disengage when the vehicle experiences an unusually severe impact to the front wheels (for example, striking a deep pothole in the roadway). If the snap ring becomes disengaged and the steering wheel is then repeatedly turned to the full locked position, over time the steering shaft may become disconnected which could result in a loss of steering control.

Lexus dealers will be requested to install a newly designed snap ring and an additional component which will prevent separation of the steering shaft at no charge to the vehicle owner, when parts are made available.

Owner Notification Mailing Dates

The owner notification will commence when parts become available in mid-August, 2010.

Only owners of the affected vehicles will be notified.

Identification of All LX 470 Vehicles Involved In The Recall

There are approximately 39,000 vehicles involved.

Voluntary Safety Recall ALF Certain 2003 through 2007 Model Year Lexus LX 470 Vehicles Steering Shaft – Q&A

On July 29, 2010, Lexus filed a Defect Information Report (DIR) with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) informing the agency of our intent to conduct a voluntary Safety Recall on certain 2003 through 2007 model year Lexus LX 470 vehicles.

Q1: Why is Lexus conducting a Safety Recall?
A1: The construction of the steering shaft is such that the snap ring on the shaft may disengage when the vehicle experiences an unusually severe impact to the front wheels (for example, striking a deep pothole in the roadway). If the snap ring becomes disengaged and the steering wheel is then repeatedly turned to the full locked position, over time the steering shaft may become disconnected which could result in a loss of steering control.

Q2: Which and how many vehicles are covered by this Safety Recall?
A2: There are approximately 39,000 Lexus LX470 (Certain 2003 through 2007 model year) vehicles covered in the U.S.

Q3: What is the production period of the affected vehicles?
A3: The vehicles covered by this Safety Recall were produced from mid-June 2002 to early August 2007.

Q4: Are there any other Toyota or Lexus vehicles involved?
A4: There are no other Lexus or Toyota vehicles covered by this Safety Recall in the U.S.

Q5: Are Toyota Land Cruisers involved?
A5: No, the Toyota Land Cruiser is not covered by this recall because the construction of the Land Cruiser steering shaft is different from that of the LX470.

Q6: Are there any warnings that this condition will occur?
A6: No. There are no warnings that this condition will occur.

Q7: What is Lexus going to do?
A7: In mid-August, 2010 Lexus will begin sending out owner notifications by first class mail. The letter will advise owners to bring their vehicle to a Lexus dealer for the remedy to be performed at no charge to the vehicle owner. The remedy will include the replacement of the snap ring with a newly designed one and the installation of an additional component which will prevent separation of the steering shaft.

Q8: How many reports of this condition have been received?
A8: Lexus has received one report related to this condition in the U.S.

Q9: Have there been any accidents reported?
A9: Lexus is not aware of any accidents related to this condition.

Q10: What if an owner has previously paid for repairs to his/her vehicle to address this specific condition?
A10: Owners that have previously paid for repairs to their vehicle to address this specific condition should refer to their owner letter for reimbursement consideration instructions.

Q11: What should an owner do if they experience this condition or have immediate concerns about his/her vehicle?
A11: Owners with questions or concerns are asked to contact their local Lexus dealer for diagnosis and repair if applicable.

Owners may also contact Lexus Customer Satisfaction at 1-800-255-3987.