The problem
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004 avalon vehicles; 2004 and 2005 camry, camry solara, highlander, and sienna vehicles, 2006 highlander hybrid; 2004 and 2005 Lexus es330 and rx330; and 2006 Lexus rx400h vehicles manufactured from June 1, 2004 through March 31, 2005, equipped with the 1mz-fe or 3mz-fe engine. The amount of adhesive agent applied between the outer ring and the torsional rubber damper (inner ring) in the crankshaft pulley May be inadequate. If the adhesive is insufficient, there is a possibility that the outer ring May become misaligned and it May not properly rotate with the inner ring, causing noise and/or illumination of the battery discharge indicator light.
The risk
In some cases, the belt for the power steering pump May become detached from the pulley which could result in a loss of power steering and a sudden increase in steering effort, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will check the crankshaft pulley to identify whether it was produced by the U.S. Supplier. If so, the dealer will replace the pulley with a new one at no charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during early January 2012. Owners May contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 11V-539 (11V539000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Toyota Motor Corporation |
| Component | Engine and engine cooling |
| Report date | November 9, 2011 |
| Owners notified | December 31, 2011 |
| Vehicles affected | 420,326 |
| Initiated by | Manufacturer |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the engine & cooling
- 2004 Lexus ES330 engine problems 2
- 2005 Lexus ES330 engine problems 12
- 2006 Lexus RX Hybrid engine problems 15
- 2004 Lexus RX330 engine problems 14
- 2005 Lexus RX330 engine problems 14
- 2004 Toyota Avalon engine problems 8
- 2004 Toyota Camry engine problems 55
- 2005 Toyota Camry engine problems 56
- 2004 Toyota Camry Solara engine problems 10
- 2005 Toyota Camry Solara engine problems 7
- 2004 Toyota Highlander engine problems 36
- 2005 Toyota Highlander engine problems 14
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 11V-539 repair free?
Yes. Lexus dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will check the crankshaft pulley to identify whether it was produced by the U.S. Supplier. If so, the dealer will replace the pulley with a new one at no charge.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 420,326 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.