From LL
**** Although Lexus has not yet determined what their course of action will be towards remedying the 270,000 vehicles sold worldwide with a known engine problem, the automaker has announced more details on the matter ? including which models and engines are affected.Yesterday, the automaker had not yet released the full list of vehicles or specific engines confirmed to be affected by the stalling issue. Now, Reuters has confirmed with a Toyota spokesperson that eight high-end Lexus and Crown models have the faulty engines, which are 4.6-liter and 3.6-liter variants.
Lexus also confirmed the specifics of the issue, stating that a valve spring is faulty, which is leading to improper idle functions, and in some cases complete engine stalling. Lexus says that at this point they are considering ?some kind of measure,? but stopped short of suggesting an impending recall.
Lexus general manager Mark Templin explained to the Associated Press that the valves were exposed to contaminated materials during manufacturing, which could lead to abnormal noises, rough idle, and eventually engine stalling. Templin also listed the IS350, GS350, GS460, GS450h, LS460, LS600hL and Toyota Crown as the models with known defective valve springs.
?It?s not as if there has been an accident caused by the possible defect. Investors are not worried as long as carmakers act quickly to address quality problems,? said Yoshihiko Tabei, an analyst with Kazaka Securities, based in Tokyo.
In total, 270,000 vehicles have the engines with a faulty valve spring, with 137,000 sold in the U.S., with an unknown number also located in Canada. Should Lexus recall these vehicles, it would mark the second recall in so many weeks.
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