Toyota Australia recalls 324,000 cars over faulty fuel system

Toyota Australia’s reputation for reliability has taken another dent today after the Japanese company recalled 324,123 cars due to a perceived safety issue with the fuelling system.

It represents just a part of a massive global recall that will see 2.87 million cars returned worldwide due to possible cracking of the fuel suction plate. Toyota has highlighted how a crack could develop in the plate, allowing fuel to leak from the crack when the fuel tank is full, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle fire.

The recall involves a two-hour precautionary fix that will be conducted free of charge to affected owners.

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In Australia, the vehicles affected by the recall include Prius, Prius V, Rukus and the best-selling Toyota Corolla built between October 2008 and February 2015. Lexus has also recalled approximately 4600 CT200h vehicles built between October 2008 and February 2015 for the same issue.

Back in 2014, Toyota Japan recalled 190,000 domestic market Corolla Rumion and Auris models, again over fuel suction plate issues.

The company claimed that there have been nine reported cases in Australia of cracks developing in Corolla fuel plates, but thus far there have been no injuries or fires as a result,

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Beck Angel, Toyota’s corporate affairs manager, said: “In terms of global figures, I can confirm that there have been no reports of crashes, injuries, fatalities or fires. After the recall in October 2014, we continued to investigate the condition that was discovered. Having identified the possibility that this condition could occur in the vehicles involved in this campaign, we decided to conduct this recall. The time delay was due to the extensive investigation.”

In a separate recall also issued today, 2185 Australian owners of Lexus CT200h vehicles and 4560 owners of Prius models built between 2009 and 2012 are being contacted regarding a defective weld in the curtain airbags. Autoliv, the manufacturer of the bags, claims that some defective units have partially inflated in parked vehicles exposed to large temperature swings. Parts of the inflator could also enter the vehicle’s interior, increasing the risk of injury. Globally, about 932,000 vehicles are involved in both recalls.

Once parts are available, Toyota aim to contact owners by mail. For further information, customers can contact a campaign helpline on 1800 987 366. Customers are advised to contact their dealer for diagnosis if they notice a smell of fuel.