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Lexus RX350 leftover tow hook risks fuel fire

NHTSA campaign 21V043000 · Reported Feb 3, 2021 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

critical How serious is it? About this label

If your RX350 is struck from behind, a leftover transport hook could damage the fuel line and increase the risk of a fire. The notice does not tell owners to stop driving.

Key facts

NHTSA campaign number	21V043000
Reported to NHTSA	Feb 3, 2021
Manufacturer	Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Part affected	Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And CAP
Vehicles covered	1 model/year combination, model years 2019
Do-not-drive advisory	No
Park-outside advisory	No
Repair	Free at any franchised dealer

What's wrong, in plain English

Some Lexus RX350 vehicles left the factory with a metal transport hook still attached that should have been removed before sale. If the vehicle is hit from behind, this hook can damage the fuel filler pipe. A damaged fuel pipe can leak fuel, which raises the risk of a fire. Dealers will inspect vehicles and remove the hook if it is still present, at no charge to the owner.

What you should do

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if your vehicle is affected. 2. Contact a Lexus dealer or Lexus customer service at 1-800-331-4331 to schedule an inspection. 3. The inspection and any repair are free.

Where do I find my VIN, and what do I tell the dealer?

Your VIN is the 17-character code on the lower left of the windshield, on your registration and usually on your insurance card. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether this recall is still open on your car. When you call the dealer, say you have an open safety recall and give them NHTSA campaign number 21V043000. More in how recalls work.

Affected vehicles (1)

2019 Lexus RX350

Who to contact

Lexus — official Lexus recall lookup

Customer service: 1-800-255-3987

Any franchised dealer for the brand can do the repair. Phone numbers are taken from manufacturer sites and recent NHTSA notices; if one has changed, the number in your own recall letter is the one to use.

The bigger picture

Lexus gasoline fuel system recalls involving pump failures and fire · all 4 Lexus recalls in this area

Other Lexus RX350 recalls

Nov 4, 2020Toyota and Lexus fuel pumps may fail, stalling enginehigh
Jan 13, 2020Toyota, Lexus fuel pump may fail, stall enginehigh

Official notice

Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Lexus) is recalling certain 2019 Lexus RX350 and 2021 RX350 vehicles. The transport hook may not have been removed prior to sale. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."
Safety risk: During a rear-end crash, the transport hook can damage the fuel filler pipe, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Lexus will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, remove the rear transport hook, free of charge. The recall began April 1, 2021. Owners may contact Lexus customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Lexus' number for this recall is 21LA01.

Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.