Over 400 Toyota and Lexus cars recalled

MORE THAN 400 Toyota and Lexus cars have being recalled in Ireland as part of a global recall by the car maker of more than 1.7 million vehicles worldwide.

Toyota Ireland said the move was a precautionary measure, and it would be writing to affected customers to inform them.

Some 253 Avensis models are being recalled to replace the fuel pipe and inspect the fuel pump check valve.

The affected cars are 2.0 and 2.4-litre petrol vehicles produced between July 2000 and September 2008.

A further 186 Lexus IS250 petrol cars are also included in the recall due to trouble with a fuel pressure sensor connected to an engine fuel-delivery pipe. Those cars potentially affected were produced between August 2007 and February 2009.

In total, 335,000 Lexus vehicles sold overseas are affected by the issue, including 245,000 sold in the US.

“We will be writing to customers in the immediate future to arrange for them to make an appointment with their local dealer to have the repair procedure carried out at a time that is convenient and which ensures minimal disruption for the customer,” said Toyota Ireland’s managing director David Shannon.

The global recall is the latest in a string of recalls that have risen to nearly 16 million cars since late 2009, further denting Toyota’s reputation for quality.

The latest recall will make it harder for Toyota to convince investors it has put its quality problems behind it a year after the car company went into crisis mode after massive recalls worldwide to fix faulty brakes blamed in the fatalities of several drivers.