- Toyota is recalling an estimated 1.7 million vehicles worldwide for defects, including 245,000 Lexus IS and GS vehicles in the U.S.
- The 2006-'07 Lexus GS 300/350, the 2006-'09 Lexus IS 250 and the 2006-'08 Lexus IS 350 are being recalled in the U.S. to inspect installation of fuel pressure sensors that could cause a fuel leak in the engine compartment.
- Toyota announced a separate recall involving 1.3 million vehicles worldwide to fix a different problem on a fuel delivery pipe and fuel pump check valve, as well as a recall of 135,000 Avensis sedans in Europe for potential defects in fuel systems.
TORRANCE, California — Toyota is recalling 1.7 million vehicles worldwide, including 245,000 Lexus IS and GS vehicles in the U.S., as it continues to struggle with reliability issues after record recalls, a congressional investigation, record federal fines, and ongoing lawsuits over sudden unintended acceleration in the U.S.
The U.S. vehicles are the 2006-'07 Lexus GS 300/350; the 2006-'09 Lexus IS 250 and the 2006-early 2008 Lexus IS 350.
"Due to insufficient tightening of the fuel pressure sensor connected to certain engine fuel delivery pipes, there is a possibility that the pressure sensor could loosen over time," said Toyota in a statement on Wednesday. "If loosening occurs, fuel could leak past a gasket used in the connection between the sensor and the delivery pipe and through the threaded portion of the sensor."
There are no warnings that this condition will occur, according to the Lexus Web site. "However, if fuel is leaking from the fuel pressure sensor, in some instances a fuel odor may be noticed from the engine compartment," it said.
Toyota did not release a start date for the recall and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration had yet to post any information about the Lexus recall on its Web site as of Wednesday morning.
Owners can contact Lexus at 1-800-255-3987.
Toyota also announced a separate recall involving 1.3 million vehicles worldwide to fix "a different condition on a different fuel delivery pipe and a high pressure fuel pump check valve," it said. Those vehicles include the Voxy, Noah and Isis minivans, and RAV4 in Japan. It will also call back 135,000 Toyota Avensis sedans in Europe for possible defects in fuel systems.
This latest recall brings the Toyota global recall total since December 2009 to approximately 12 million vehicles. In 2010, Toyota paid the U.S. government a record $48.8 million in civil penalties over its slow response to recalls. A class action lawsuit against Toyota is underway in U.S. District Court in Santa Ana, California on behalf of owners who may not have experienced sudden acceleration in their vehicles, but who claim economic loss. The judge in the case turned aside Toyota's request to dismiss these lawsuits, saying there is evidence that Toyota knew more about the problems than it revealed to the public.
Inside Line says: If you own one of the aforementioned Lexus vehicles, have it checked out ASAP with your dealer. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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icupertino says:
12:14 AM, 02/28/2011
I seems like all the recalled models are NOT made in Japan, I could be wrong...
My wife and I own a 2008 RX 400h (which cost almost $50K) which is made 98% and assembled 100% in Japan and never have any issue with it. We are in the market for another Lexus (GX or ES), however the increasing number of recalls from Toyota do worry us a bit.
smallfield says:
05:58 PM, 01/30/2011
-1 Rod The Wrench
"Due to insufficient tightening of the fuel pressure sensor connected to certain engine fuel delivery pipes, there is a possibility that the pressure sensor could loosen over time,"
- sounds more assembly related unless the part they ordered was preinstalled as a bigger assembly.
The big automakers always try to blame the parts guys for any product failure. It is a convenient thing to do as they automaker has much more marketing $$ and no one has heard of the parts guy.
dgmail says:
09:32 AM, 01/30/2011
"Own a KIA instead of a Toyota?"
That would be like " I can shoot myself, or hang myself".
Toyota recalls have become so common, I don't even think twice about them anymore.
Actually, I don't look twice when driving pass their empty dealerships either.
rayzor says:
05:29 AM, 01/29/2011
Toyota's decisions to use cheaper, inferior parts and design to save a few bucks and to add to their bottom line at the expense of their carefully cultivated quality image is, well, sad...Now Toyota is on a spiraling path to infamy...On their own bad decisions to choose profit over product quality. No body else to blame but theri own!
Ford, Chevy and Chysler don't look too shabby afterall.
financeman2 says:
08:15 PM, 01/28/2011
The disappointments from Toyota continue. Using the Demming model, Toyota pioneered the concept of value engineering which allowed them to produce very good cars for a very long period of time. Somehow they went astray when they became too bottom line conscious and pushed their suppliers too hard. There is no such thing as a free lunch and they are being penalized for their excessive cost cutting measures. Either they will improve or go the route of GM. Toyota is not out of the game, but Hyundai and others will eat their lunch if they don't start getting the game figured out.
frankok1 says:
04:54 PM, 01/28/2011
oops - link
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-11-30/toyota-review-still-finishing-loose-ends-u-s-says.html
frankok1 says:
04:45 PM, 01/28/2011
-1 RodTheWrench
There was a cover up for the floor mat issue well before the Saylor case and they could have used brake overrride at that time. Most of the cases reported are for vehicles not recalled. NASA/NESC team will report the cause of the rare electronics cause I would bet.
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-11-30/toyota-review-still-finishing-loose-- ends-u-s-says.html
May be a single event computer glitch - Re.
http://www.oregonsae.org/Meetings/misra_C.pps
alex38 says:
04:33 PM, 01/28/2011
Not only does Toyota make uninspiring looking vehicles (boardering on terrible looking imo...2011 Corolla, Prius etc..) but the one thing they had for them in the past - a record of reliability - is COMPLETELY out the window.
They've lost the sport part of their line-up by folding the Supra, Celica, MR-2 so very little excitement in showrooms to draw the younger crowd.
Yep, Audi, VW, Honda...have all had their fair share of problems as did most other automakers. The difference is in the SCALE of these recalls. No one has even come close to 12mn vehicles. This a disaster of epic proportions. I wouldn't count Toyota out though. However, i have owned 2 Toyotas and would I ever consider a Toyota again? NEVER.
I'd take a Ford/Hyundai/Kia over a Toyota anyday..
jonthecarguy says:
03:44 PM, 01/28/2011
+3 rodthewrench.
lsobboh says:
11:58 AM, 01/28/2011
+2 rodthewrench