Toyota to recall 19,000 cars
* Avensis and Lexus IS models affected * Potential fuel leak issue * Every manufacturer recalls cars...
Toyota is to recall almost 19,000 Avensis and Lexus IS models over a possible fuel leak problem.
The move is part of a recall that affects nearly 1.7 million vehicles worldwide.
In the UK, 15,500 Avensis family car owners will be contacted over issues affecting 2.0-litre and 2.4-litre petrol models built between July 2000 and September 2008.
Toyota says that the fuel pipe could develop cracks over a long period of time, and that the fuel pump check valve may have been insufficiently tightened. These issues could cause fuel to leak.
Toyota says affected cars will have the fuel pipe and fuel check valve replaced at no cost to the owner. The recall work should take between two and four-and-a-half hours to complete.
Lexus IS recall
Around 3100 Lexus IS250 owners, with cars built between August 2007 and February 2009, will also be contacted to resolve a potential problem with the fuel pressure sensor. The sensor could loosen and cause fuel to leak.
The repair involves retightening the sensor, or if fuel is leaking, to replace the fuel pressure sensor gasket. The recall work would take between one and three hours to complete.
Toyota says that for both the Avensis and Lexus IS250 recalls, there have been no reports of accidents in the UK. No complaints about the Avensis have been reported here, however one complaint relating to the Lexus has been reported.
Toyota rarely seemed to be out of the headlines last year, after recalling more than 11 million cars worldwide, starting with the issue around faulty accelerator pedals.
It was fined $50million by the American courts last year over the issue and Toyota chief Akio Toyoda publicly apologised for the recall.
However, recalls are common and frequent. Last year every car maker from Alfa Romeo to Volvo recalled models, including:
• Bentley: potential of pedestrian injury because of mascot not retracting properly due to corrosion
• Ferrari 458 Italia: risk of fire because of a defective heat shield
• Rolls-Royce Phantom: problem with the braking system
Nissan recalled two million cars globally last year, including 84,000 Micras in the UK, and only last week Volvo announced it was recalling almost 4800 cars here because of an engine problem.
Jon Williams, managing director of Toyota GB, said: 'We will liaise with our customers to carry out the repair procedures as efficiently as possible, with minimal disruption.'
Are you affected?
Find out if your car is affected by clicking one of the two links below.
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