Business | Automotives
Toyota recalls 1.7 million vehicles worldwide
"Slight cracks may appear on the engine fuel pipes. If it continues to be used, the crack may be widened and there may be risks of fuel leakage," the ministry said in a statement
- AFP
- Published: 10:06 January 26, 2011
- Image Credit: Supplied
- In the past year Toyota has pulled millions of vehicles worldwide over a range of issues following a safety crisis involving brake and accelerator defects that has tarnished its once stellar reputation.
Tokyo: Toyota is recalling nearly 1.7 million vehicles around the world for various defects that may cause fuel leakage - the latest in quality control woes for the Japanese automaker.
Toyota and the ministry said the recalls include around 245,000 of its luxury Lexus vehicles in the United States and 74,590 Lexus, Crown and other cars in Japan over other leakage fears.
In Japan 19 models produced between 2000 and 2009 will be affected by the recall, the ministry said.
"Slight cracks may appear on the engine fuel pipes. If it continues to be used, the crack may be widened and there may be risks of fuel leakage," the ministry said in a statement.
There have been more than 140 cases reported in Japan, with no accidents, it said.
In 2008 Toyota ended General Motors' 77-year reign as the world's largest automaker but the road has been a bumpy one for the Japanese giant, facing the impact of the economic crisis, recalls and recently a strong yen.
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In the past year the automaker has pulled millions of vehicles worldwide over a range of issues following a safety crisis involving brake and accelerator defects that has tarnished its once stellar reputation.
Toyota shares tumbled 1.7 percent following news of the recall.
On Monday Toyota said its group sales in 2010 rose, enabling the firm to narrowly retain its title as the world's biggest automaker despite the global safety crisis.
Toyota's global sales rose eight percent year-on-year to 8.418 million vehicles last year, narrowly beating the 8.39 million sold by a resurgent General Motors.
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