The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has received a product recall of a Lexus LX600, as notified by Lexus South Africa.

The recall affects 34 (thirty-four) Lexus LX600 vehicles manufactured between 17 January 2022 and 5 December 2022. The affected vehicles were sold through the Lexus South Africa Dealer Network, with distribution across all nine provinces.

According to the supplier, the impacted vehicles are equipped with a V35A engine that contains crankshaft main bearings, which allow the crankshaft to rotate within the engine assembly while running.

During a specific production period, there is a possibility that the engine machining debris of a particular size and amount may not have been cleared from the engine during manufacturing and subsequently contaminated the engine assembly during the production process.  For these engines, in the affected vehicles, the pressure of the main bearings due to the engine configuration is such that if the aforementioned machining debris adheres to the bearings and operation continues at higher loads over time, failure of the bearings may occur. Consequences include engine knocking, rough idling, failure to start, and in more severe instances, an engine stall while driving, which poses a serious safety risk due to the sudden loss of motive power.

The presence of this fault greatly increases the risk of an accident, especially at higher speeds.

“Owners of the affected vehicles are urged to immediately contact the nearest authorised Lexus dealership. Lexus, as submitted to the NCC, will replace the engine at no cost to the consumer”, said Acting Commissioner Hardin Ratshisusu.  

This recall is carried out as a precautionary safety measure.

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Issued by: National Consumer Commission (NCC)  

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