24 Engine failure on I 40 near Knoxville

Three Time Lex · Jul 8, 2026

Loved my 2024 Overtrail+ incognito. 36k miles over the last 2 years. Died on the interstate going to Knoxville nearly three weeks ago.

Dealership believes it’s an engine failure and is awaiting guidance from Lexus.

Never had any engine issues. No knocking. No stutters and good power. Serviced on time or early and premium only gas.

Engine cut off on the interstate with no symptoms. Dash message said pull over to a safe space engine stopped.

I pulled over and it started right back up and no lights or warnings. Thinking it was isolated, I pulled back on the interstate accelerating quickly to highway speed.

After another mile, it cut off again same as before. This time after I pull over on the side of the interstate, it won’t start. Engine won’t turn. Repeated attempts to start produces smoke under the battery around the starter.

Got it towed to the dealership.

After a week, they seem convinced it’s the engine subject to the recall. They are being given no timeframe from Lexus on fix.

I’m in a very nice TX350 while I wait.

Any insight or suggestions?

rocksallday · Jul 8, 2026

what's your build date?

280driver · Jul 8, 2026

Really sorry to hear this happened to you. Was your GX part of the recall? What was the build date?

Three Time Lex · Jul 8, 2026

Not sure but I did get the recall letter

oldseniu · Jul 8, 2026

I am sorry to hear that! May I ask if you could keep documenting. You might be the first in the first one in this forum that I can remember encountered such engine failure.

RIDEaCANYON · Jul 9, 2026

What is the last 5 of your vin if you don't mind?

Our '24 is only at 14k miles (vin-05389) which puts us as a very early build, but no recall letter and I still check the recall site with vin regularly. I had the oil tested at Blackstone labs after 3 different changes showing no issues but I won't lie, I'm still nervous and probably taking the truck on our long Colorado trip. Hoping for our 2026 OT allocation to come in quick so I can trade this thing in but tomorrow marks 8 months since we put the deposit down...

Shaved Ice · Jul 9, 2026

Hate to hear that. My ‘26 OT is set to arrive at Lexus of Knoxville today. Hopefully the kinks are worked out,

Three Time Lex · Jul 9, 2026

RIDEaCANYON said:
What is the last 5 of your vin if you don't mind?

Our '24 is only at 14k miles (vin-05389) which puts us as a very early build, but no recall letter and I still check the recall site with vin regularly. I had the oil tested at Blackstone labs after 3 different changes showing no issues but I won't lie, I'm still nervous and probably taking the truck on our long Colorado trip. Hoping for our 2026 OT allocation to come in quick so I can trade this thing in but tomorrow marks 8 months since we put the deposit down...

03905

Three Time Lex · Jul 9, 2026

03905. I got it in March of 2024.

AtomicEric · Jul 9, 2026

If I recall the recall build date ended week 2 of April 2024. That said first I've heard on this forum of a failure. Had, or were you, towing? Glad you had a safe road side landing anyway. Hope the replacement is available soon.

Three Time Lex · Jul 9, 2026

Thanks. Only towed a 5x8 trailer a few times. Never had one issue.

Three Time Lex · Jul 9, 2026

Shaved Ice said:
Hate to hear that. My ‘26 OT is set to arrive at Lexus of Knoxville today. Hopefully the kinks are worked out,

Hope you are getting you GX right now! Mine is likely in the far back corner spot behind service. Good luck!

serbiansizzle · Jul 9, 2026

Sorry to hear that. I believe that is 2 confirmed cases on this forum, with both having fallen within the recall period.

Hope you get taken care of.

YellowLab · Jul 9, 2026

Three Time Lex said:
Not sure but I did get the recall letter

When did you take delivery?

RIDEaCANYON · Jul 9, 2026

AtomicEric said:
If I recall the recall build date ended week 2 of April 2024. That said first I've heard on this forum of a failure. Had, or were you, towing? Glad you had a safe road side landing anyway. Hope the replacement is available soon.

I don’t have our exact build date but I do have an email from our sales rep on 4/5/24 with “the v-spec sheet from our GX that is being built now”.
Add to the interesting things about our ‘24, it got to port here in the states early May 2024 but was held at port, with no clear reason provided until we were ultimately able to take delivery 7/25/24.

Now I’m not speculating they did anything to our engine during that time, just saying that was a long two months to wait and somehow we are not in the recall when the timing seems pretty odd that we aren’t.

Regardless, sucks to hear of anyone’s GX going down, we all love these rides. hope the resolution is fast and fair.

JULESWTX · Jul 13, 2026

Three Time Lex said:
Loved my 2024 Overtrail+ incognito. 36k miles over the last 2 years. Died on the interstate going to Knoxville nearly three weeks ago.

Dealership believes it’s an engine failure and is awaiting guidance from Lexus.

Never had any engine issues. No knocking. No stutters and good power. Serviced on time or early and premium only gas.

Engine cut off on the interstate with no symptoms. Dash message said pull over to a safe space engine stopped.

I pulled over and it started right back up and no lights or warnings. Thinking it was isolated, I pulled back on the interstate accelerating quickly to highway speed.

After another mile, it cut off again same as before. This time after I pull over on the side of the interstate, it won’t start. Engine won’t turn. Repeated attempts to start produces smoke under the battery around the starter.

Got it towed to the dealership.

After a week, they seem convinced it’s the engine subject to the recall. They are being given no timeframe from Lexus on fix.

I’m in a very nice TX350 while I wait.

Any insight or suggestions?

I'm so sorry to hear this happened to you as well. I am also in a TX350 but I have not received any communication from dealership since April on when they will have my car ready with the new engine, they said it would need. My engine failed on March 9 been @ the dealership since.

YellowLab · Jul 13, 2026

JULESWTX said:
I'm so sorry to hear this happened to you as well. I am also in a TX350 but I have not received any communication from dealership since April on when they will have my car ready with the new engine, they said it would need. My engine failed on March 9 been @ the dealership since.

Sorry you folks are having to go through this!

DanDanTMM · Jul 22, 2026

Three Time Lex said:
Loved my 2024 Overtrail+ incognito. 36k miles over the last 2 years. Died on the interstate going to Knoxville nearly three weeks ago.

Dealership believes it’s an engine failure and is awaiting guidance from Lexus.

Never had any engine issues. No knocking. No stutters and good power. Serviced on time or early and premium only gas.

Engine cut off on the interstate with no symptoms. Dash message said pull over to a safe space engine stopped.

I pulled over and it started right back up and no lights or warnings. Thinking it was isolated, I pulled back on the interstate accelerating quickly to highway speed.

After another mile, it cut off again same as before. This time after I pull over on the side of the interstate, it won’t start. Engine won’t turn. Repeated attempts to start produces smoke under the battery around the starter.

Got it towed to the dealership.

After a week, they seem convinced it’s the engine subject to the recall. They are being given no timeframe from Lexus on fix.

I’m in a very nice TX350 while I wait.

Any insight or suggestions?

Just curious what your oil change intervals were since purchase. Factory recommended?