Ethanol leads to recall of some Lexus models
Click on the image above for a high-res gallery of the LS460
Ethanol fuel with low moisture content has the potential to corrode the inside of the fuel delivery pipes in some Lexus vehicles, including GS300/350, IS250/350, and LS460/460L models from 2006, 2007 and 2008 model years. The problem, which can create a pinhole leak in the pipes, has caused Lexus to announce a safety recall of about 214,500 vehicles. First-class letters will be sent to Lexus owners who might have vehicles that may be affected by this problem, and Lexus dealers will replace, at no charge, their pipes with newly-designed components. No other Lexus or Toyota vehicles are part of this recall. There's a phone number after the jump to call if you have questions.
Gallery: Lexus LS460 AWD
[Source: Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.]
PRESS RELEASE:
Lexus Announces Safety Recall on Select Vehicles
TORRANCE, Calif., Jan. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. will launch a Safety Recall with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) involving approximately 214,500 Lexus vehicles sold in the United States.
On certain 2006 through 2008 model year GS300/350, IS250/350, and LS460/460L vehicles, Lexus has determined that some ethanol fuels with a low moisture content may corrode the internal surface of the fuel delivery pipes. If this condition occurs, the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) in the combination meter may illuminate. Over time, the corrosion may create a pinhole in the fuel delivery pipes resulting in fuel leakage.
Lexus dealers will replace the fuel delivery pipes with newly designed components. No other Lexus or Toyota vehicles are involved.
Lexus will inform owners of the involved vehicles with a Safety Recall notification via first-class mail beginning in late January. Owners are requested to contact their local Lexus dealer for diagnosis and repair at no charge.
Customers with questions or concerns should contact the Lexus Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-255-3987.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Carney 1:09PM (1/20/2009)
Alcohol fuels do require better materials for the fuel tank and fuel line than those designed for gasoline only, but the cost difference is trivial.
All flex fuel vehicles have such superior tanks and lines. US automakers are well ahead of their foreign competitors in familiarity with FFV tech (which was invented by Ford in the 80s), and it's not surprising that a foreign maker would make the minor oversight of failing to prepare adequately for ethanol content.
If we mandated that all new cars sold in America be flex fueled, all automakers, domestic and foreign alike, would use alcohol compatible materials (again at no or trivial expense) and this problem would not come up.
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Tim 1:29PM (1/20/2009)
Sebastian,
You said "Ethanol fuel with LOW moisture content..."
Did you mean to say "...HIGH moisture content..." which causes corrosion which leads to pin-holing, fouled injectors etc.?
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Sebastian 1:52PM (1/20/2009)
Tim,
That's usually the case, but Toyota specifically mentions the low moisture content. Either they goofed or there's something else going on here.
GoodCheer 3:28PM (1/20/2009)
Maybe they mean "low moisture content" in contrast to "no moisture content". That would make sense at least...
Kalle 3:58PM (1/20/2009)
I drove my old Volvo on ethanol for 100000km and sold it when it was on approaching 300000 km in total... No problems ever with leaking pipes, injectors or the fuel pump.
I've always thought of the whole ethanol being aggresive to materials discussion as FUD being spread by someone for some reason.
If Toyota is serious about recalling >200000 cars then I guess there might be some truth in the claims (or they are scared by the FUD or the use very poor materials).
Generally speaking, gasoline is worse on materials than ethanol. But I guess there are exceptions?
There will always be moist in ethanol since it's very absorbant of water. If the weather is very humid there will be water in the ethanol.
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Carney 4:10PM (1/20/2009)
"There will always be moist in ethanol since it's very absorbant of water."
Unlike petroleum and its byproducts such as gasoline, alcohols dissolve in water. Not only does this help in preparing delicious drinks, it also helps the environment because alcohols disperse into the vast hydrosphere rather than remaining concentrated persistent floating pollutants.
That alone would be a big improvement when it came to spills and leaks, but it gets better - alcohols are also readily biodegradable and break down within days if not hours into safe components.
KJ 1:37AM (2/21/2009)
I am interested to know why Toyota says " ethanol fuel with LOW MOISTURE CONTENT". Would anyone be able to give me an exact meaning of this ? If the moisture is higher, then, no corrosion be occurred to aluminum?
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