Unfortunately, we have more recall news. Almost 700,000 Toyota and Lexus vehicles in the US are being recalled. These are 2018 and 2019 models. The vehicles in question have fuel pumps that suddenly stop pumping. This leads to the car stalling according to Toyota. 

It affects the following non-hybrid models:

2018-19 Lexus LS 500, GS 350, ES 350, and IS 300 sedans, LC 500, RC 350, and RC 300 coupes, LX 570, and GX 460, and RX 350 crossovers. Other crossovers include the 2019 NX 300, RX 350L, and the GS 300 sedans. 

From the Toyota side the recalls involve these models:

2018-19 Toyota 4Runner, Sequoia and Land Cruiser SUVs, Highlander crossovers, Sienna minivans, Tacoma and Tundra pickups, and Camrys. Only affecting the 2019 Toyota models are the Avalon and also the Corolla. 

A Toyota spokesperson was asked by Automotive News whether fuel pump issues they investigated led to accidents or injuries. Toyota won’t comment on that possibility. 

If you do experience a fuel pump issue and stops operating warning lights and also messages will indicate on the instrument panel. The engine may also start running roughly. This could or will lead to the vehicle stalling and unable to be restarted. Toyota says if this were to happen at a higher speed “this could increase the risk of a crash.”

Toyota says it has determined a fix for the problem and that if a customer’s vehicle has the fuel pump in question it will notify them by mail. This will happen in mid-March, which seems like a longer period than expected for something that could be safety-related.

Here are the numbers you can call if you think the recall affects you:

If you have questions Toyota says to call its Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331. If you own a Lexus that might be affected you can call the Lexus Guest Experience Center at 1-800-255-3987. 

One thing this indicates is that if the issue is a fuel pump and not something programmed into the ECU then Toyota has one fuel pump for a multitude of models. That’s good for them in terms of commonality and parts warehousing. One pump for lots of different engines is a win for everyone. 

The only thing that concerns is if Toyota isn’t contacting affected vehicle owners until March, that’s two months away before you’re notified. If there is a safety issue involved, which there could be, then Toyota seems rather lax about getting the problem fixed. 

Hopefully, the Toyota or Lexus you won is not part of the recall and you can relax. If it is we suggest calling either Toyota or Lexus and getting the problem fixed sooner rather than later.