Lexus Issues Voluntary Recall on 245,000 GS and IS Models in the U.S.

Lexus has issued a voluntary safety recall involving some 245,000 cars in the U.S. because of a potential defect that may cause fuel leakage. The models affected by the recall include the GS300 and GS350 from the 2006-2007MY, the IS 250 from the 2006-2009MY, and the IS 350 from the 2006-2008MY.

The company said that due to insufficient tightening, the connection between the fuel pressure sensor and a certain fuel line could loosen over time, resulting in a possible fuel leak. No accidents related to the problem have been reported to date.

According to statement from Lexus' parent company Toyota, the firm's dealers will inspect the vehicles and if no leakage is found, will tighten the sensor with the proper torque. In case of a confirmed fuel leak, the gasket between the fuel sensor and the delivery pipe will be replaced and the sensor tightened. As expected, all operations will be conducted free of charge.

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VIDEO: Lexus Sets the Bar High, Chains Four Cars on LS in New TV Ad

In another sign that luxury automakers in the U.S. are raising the stakes -or so to speak- with their latest commercials, following Audi's recent A8 ad, Lexus has released a new TV spot as part of an advertising campaign to demonstrate how far the company goes to achieve perfection.

This particular broadcast ad is titled “Chain” and it shows a crane slowly lifting the front end of a LS, which is attached to four more Lexus models (RX, GS, ES and IS) using nothing more than cables and stretch bars. At the end of the spot, a $375,000 LFA comes into the shot and parks directly below the chain of vehicles weighing a total 21,000 pounds.

The key point here is that the commercial is real and that no special effects were used for its creation as Lexus proves in the 'Behind the Scenes" video.

“It isn’t enough to just say that we pursue perfection, we want to demonstrate the great lengths we go to in our pursuit,” states Dave Nordstrom, vice president of marketing for Lexus.

“The new broadcast spot allows us to focus on the foundation of our vehicles, the chassis, and show its almost unbelievable strength. In fact, we feared that it would be so unbelievable, we invited a physicist and structural engineer to witness the shoot, to prove that it did, in fact, occur without the use of special effects or computer generated-imagery.”

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Lexus bringing Five Customized Hybrids Plus CT 200h F-Sport to SEMA Show

Hitting the SEMA Show floors next week will be an array of customized Lexus hybrid models. The Japanese firm's lineup in Las Vegas will include the RX 450h SUV tuned by Paul Tolson, a race-spec GS 450h sedan, the VIP Auto Salon-prepped HS 250h sedan and two modified LS 600h L limos.

Lexus will also show off the CT 200h F-Sport concept fitted with 18-inch wheels shod in Pirelli P-Zero Nero 225/40 tires, a big brake kit with cross drilled rotors and an adjustable sport suspension. Full details and pictures after the break.

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2010 SEMA Show - Lexus RX 450h by Paul Tolson, EST Styling

WHEELS/TIRES

• Leon Hardiritt Vertu wheels
  
• Front: 21 X 10-inch with a - 4 offset
  
• Rear: 21 X 12-inch with a + 9 offset
  
• Dunlop SP Sport Maxx DSST tires
  
• Front: 285/35R/21
  
• Rear: 325/30R/21
  

  BRAKES
  

• Rotora RFK Series 6-piston custom color caliper, 14.0-inch X 1.3-inch 2-piece drilled and slotted rotors
  

  SUSPENSION
  

• Air Runner Integrated Suspension Systems with quad air pressure digital display
  

  EXTERIOR
  

• Hired Gun Paint Werks widebody conversion
  
• Custom BASF 90 Line Water Borne Black Emerald
  
• Wald International Sports Line Black Bison Edition
  
• Lighting by Premium Sound & Security, Inc.
  

  INTERIOR
  

• Materials and stitching by Garcia's Auto Interiors
  
• Trim and accent pieces by Hired Gun Paint Werks
  
• Fizz Autosports: Accessories - Junction Produce
  
• Lighting by Premium Sound & Security, Inc
  

  
  

  2010 SEMA Show - Lexus GS 450h by 0-60 Magazine
  

  WHEELS/TIRES
  

  • Rays Engineering, Volk Racing TE37 SL, mold formed forged racing wheels
  

  • 18 x 9.5 front and rear, gunmetal
  

  • Continental Racing Slicks, 275/35/18 front and rear
  

  BRAKES
  

  • Brembo Gran Turismo high performance brakes
  

  • 6-piston custom painted calipers, 14.0-inch x 1.3-inch 2-piece drilled rotors, front
  

  • 4-piston custom painted calipers, 13.6-inch x 1.1-inch 2-piece drilled rotors, rear
  

  SUSPENSION
  

  • TEIN USA Super Racing Coilovers
  

  • Advanced Mono tube construction, external reservoir tanks, individual 16-way compression, full in-car damping force adjustment via Tein EDFC
  

  • F Sport front and rear sway bars
  

  EXHAUST
  

  • GReddy Performance custom Titanium Race exhaust system
  

  EXTERIOR
  

  • Voltex Carbon GT Wing with Evasive Motorsports custom carbon end plates
  

  • Evasive Motorsports rear diffuser and front splitter with custom carbon work
  

  • Voltex Carbon twin front canards
  

  • Custom Carbon 5-piece body kit with front lip, side skirts, rear window spoiler
  

  • Balistek Autobody Matte White paint
  

  • Graphics/Vinyl Work - S and A Designs
  

  INTERIOR
  

  • Sparco USA Rev Plus lightweight racing seat, racing steering wheel, quick release hub, racing belts/harnesses, fire extinguisher, racing shift knob
  

  • Defi Sports Cluster
  

  • TEIN EDFC
  

  • GReddy gauges
  

  • Design Craft Fabrication racing spec roll cage, custom suede interior, custom carbon panels and covers
  

  MISC
  

  • Genesis Technologies Racing Air Jack system
  

  • Motul – Motor Oil, Brake Fluid
  

  
  

  2010 SEMA Show - Lexus HS 250h by VIP Auto Salon
  

  WHEELS/TIRES
  

  • Work Gnosis GS4 machined center disc, gloss bronze anodized outer barrel
  

  • 20x8.5-inch, ET30 A disc, front
  

  • 20x9.5-inch ET35 A disc, rear
  

  • Yokohama S. drive
  

  • 225/35/20 front
  

  • 255/30/20 rear
  

  SUSPENSION
  

  • Custom suspension provided by Vip Auto Salon and Tanabe
  

  EXHAUST
  

  • Branew axle back system
  

  EXTERIOR
  

  • Branew aero styling package with front and rear lip spoiler, rocker panels, roof and trunk spoiler and replacement sport fenders
  

  • Custom gray/black paint sprayed by Finish Line Auto Craft
  

  • Huper Optik Ceramic based window film 50 percent by STM
  

  • Lexus OEM Japan-market window visors
  

  INTERIOR
  

  • Custom interior by Vip Auto Salon and Top Stitch
  

  LIGHTING
  

  • Exterior and interior premium light packages provided by VLEDS
  

  
  

  2010 SEMA Show - Lexus LS 600h L by VIP Auto Salon
  

  WHEELS/TIRES
  

  • WALD Mahora M11c, machined black polish
  

  • 21x9-inch, ET33, front
  

  • 21x10-inch, ET40, rear
  

  • Pirelli P Zero Nero
  

  • 245/35/21 front
  

  • 285/30/21 rear
  

  BRAKES
  • Brembo high performance front brake kit with 15-inch disk and 6-piston monoblock calipers
  

  SUSPENSION
  • Custom air suspension provided by Universal Air
  

  EXHAUST
  • Performance Tube Systems Joe Z Series axle back exhaust system
  

  EXTERIOR
  • WALD aero styling package with front and rear lip spoiler, rocker panels, roof and trunk spoiler and replacement sport fenders
  • Custom PPG Hue of Macadamia paint sprayed by Finish Line Auto Craft
  • Huper Optik ceramic-based window film 50 percent by STM
  • Lexus OEM Japan-market window visors
  

  INTERIOR
  • Custom interior by Vip Auto Salon and Top Stitch
  

  LIGHTING
  • Exterior and interior premium light packages provided by VLEDS
  

  
  

  2010 SEMA Show - Lexus LS 600h L by Fox Marketing
  

  WHEELS/TIRES
  

  • Rotiform 20x9.5-inch concave BLQ wheels with candy copper finish, front
    
  • Rotiform 20x10.5-inch concave BLQ wheels with candy copper finish, rear
    
  • Toyo T1R 255/35/22, front
    
  • Toyo T1R 265/35/20, rear
    
  • Yonaka Tuner lug nuts
    

  BRAKES
  

  • Lexus/SSBC Modified
    
    • 6-piston calipers, 14.1-inch rotors, front
      
    • 4-piston calipers, 13.2-inch rotors, rear
      

  SUSPENSION
  

  • Factory air ride suspension
    
  • Custom controller – Adjust ride height from 0 – 4 inches
    

  EXTERIOR
  

  • BASF Glasurit 90 Line Glacier Green paint
    
  • BASF Glasurit 90 Line Satin Black accents
    
  • Artisan Spirit front bumper, front fenders, side skirts, rear bumper, dual HID fog lights, light bar, roof wing, rear deck wing
    
  • Color-keyed door handles
    
  • Satin black Lexus logos
    
  • Smoked rear taillights
    

  INTERIOR
  

  • BASF Glasurit 90 Line Glacier Green and Glasurit Black painted interior parts
    
  • Accentz 15 percent window tint
    
  • Rear night shades
    

New Toyota Recall, this time for Toyota Avalon and Highlander, and Lexus GS300, IS250, and IS350

Toyota has announced a voluntary recall of some 740,000 vehicles in the United States to address a potential leak problem with a seal in the brake master cylinder. The models that are being recalled in the U.S. are the 2005-2006MY Toyota Avalon, 2004-2006MY Highlander (non Hybrid) and Lexus RX330, and 2006 Lexus GS300, IS250, and IS350. Another 600,898 vehicles were recalled in Japan and approximately 200,000 in China for the same issue.

According to the company, there's a possibility that a small amount of the brake fluid could slowly leak from the brake master cylinder, resulting in illumination of the brake warning lamp.

"If the brake warning lamp has illuminated and the vehicle continues to be operated without refilling the master cylinder brake fluid reservoir, the driver will begin to notice a spongy or soft brake pedal feel and braking performance may gradually decline," said the automaker.

Toyota said it will begin notifying owners of the involved vehicles through mail beginning in early November 2010. As with all recalls, Toyota and Lexus dealers will replace the brake master cylinder cup with a newly designed free of charge.

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Lexus Officially Announces Recall on U.S. Market Models to Fix Engines

Toyota today notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of its intention to recall certain Lexus models in the United States to fix faulty engines in the automaker's latest quality problem.

The recall affects approximately 138,000 Lexus vehicles powered by 4.6 and 5.0 liter V8 and 3.5 liter V6 engines in certain 2006, 2007 and 2008 GS, IS and LS models. No vehicles from the current 2010 model year nor 2009 are affected.

"In the covered vehicles, due to slight variations during the manufacturing process, some foreign material may have contaminated a small number of the valve springs. If a vehicle is affected, there is a remote possibility that abnormal engine noise or idling may occur. In extremely rare instances, the engine may stop while the vehicle is in operation," Lexus said in a statement.

To fix the problem Lexus plans to replace the engine valve springs on the affected models.

The Japanese automaker said owners can continue to drive their vehicles, but it added that if symptoms such as vibration, rough idling, unusual engine sounds or poor performance occur, then they should take their car to a Lexus dealer for service.

Earlier this week, Toyota announced in Japan that it would recall a total of 270,000 Lexus models (plus the Toyota Crown) around the world to address the engine stalling issues.

Affected Models in the U.S.A.

Model	Model Year
GS 350	2007
	2008
GS 450h	2007
	2008
GS 460	2008
IS 350	2006
	2007
	2008
LS 460	2007
	2008
LS 460 L	2007
	2008
LS 600h L	2008

Lexus U.S. Says 137,000 Cars May have Faulty Engines in the States

Toyota's U.S. division has just issued a statement regarding potential engine faults on Lexus models sold in the States. The automaker said that around 137,000 vehicles could be affected in the U.S., including the IS 350, GS 350, GS 460, GS 450h, LS 460, LS 600hL, noting that current model years are not affected.

Earlier today, Toyota announced that approximately 270,000 vehicles (Lexus IS, GS and LS, and Toyota Crown) sold worldwide risk engine failure.

The Japanese automaker blames the problem on defective valve springs in some V8 and V6 engines. "Due to slight variations during the manufacturing process, some foreign material may have contaminated the valve springs resulting in potential breakage," Toyota said in a statement.

While Toyota claims it has not received any reports of accidents or injuries related to this issue, the company admits that "there is a remote possibility that abnormal engine noise or idling may occur" and that "in extremely rare instances, the engine may stop while the vehicle is in operation."

Toyota said it is still looking into the problem and will announce a fix soon.

"In the meantime, we sincerely apologize to our customers for any inconvenience and request that they contact their nearest Lexus dealer if they believe there is a problem with their vehicle," said Mark Templin, group vice president and general manager of the U.S. Lexus Division.