LEXUS IS recalling 983 cars in Ireland as part of a global recall of 1.53 million Toyota cars over potential brake fluid and fuel pump problems.
It is the latest in a series of large-scale recalls to plague the world’s biggest car-maker, bringing the total number of Toyota vehicles recalled for various reasons in the last year to more than 10 million.
The majority of recalls in this instance involve a possible brake fluid leak. According to Lexus: “Should this arise the driver will be alerted to it by the brake warning indicator light. At this point if the brake fluid is not replaced the driver will begin to notice a spongy or soft brake pedal feel and the braking performance may gradually decline.”
The models being recalled are the GS300s and IS, produced between September 2004 and December 2005, and RX300s, produced between February 2003 and November 2005. A total of 947 cars are being recalled in relation to this problem in Ireland. While no accidents have been reported as a result of either problem, three incidents of brake fluid leakage have been recorded in Ireland.
The potential problem with the fuel pump involves the possibility of the connector within the fuel tank moving, causing it to wear. A Lexus statement said: “This could cause the engine to stall during driving.”
No Toyota models are affected by the latest recall here, although they do feature in the 1.53 million recalls worldwide.
The company has blamed at least part of the slide in quality over the past year on its rapid expansion during the past decade, when it overtook General Motors as the world’s top car-maker.