Lexus to recall 4844 IS250s in Australia

JAPANESE luxury brand Lexus is calling back 4844 of its mid-size IS250 sedans over a potential fuel leak in the engine bay where the fuel pressure sender meets the fuel delivery pipe.

The fuel pressure sender is a sensor that forms part of the car’s engine management system at the back of the engine. If insufficiently tightened, it can work loose and develop a slow leak.

The Australian-delivered IS250s affected were produced between August 2007 and February 2009. The Australian campaign is part of a global fuel sender unit recall affecting 355,000 vehicles, part of Toyota's latest global recall of 1.7 million vehicles for various fuel system issues, 245,000 of which are US-delivered Lexus IS and GS sedans. No Australian-delivered Lexus GS or Toyota models are included in the recall.

Lexus Australia has asked customers to make an appointment with their chosen Lexus dealer to have the remedial work done free of charge. Expected repair time is two to three hours.

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) Australia manager for public affairs and communication Glenn Campbell said: “Lexus takes the safety of its customers very seriously and this is a preventative measure.” He added that customers can continue to drive their vehicles until the remedial work has been done.

Mr Campbell confirmed that one case of the condition has been reported in Australia but that no accidents or injuries had resulted.

This is the fifth time in a year that Lexus has issued a recall in Australia and the ninth time for parent company Toyota.

Despite the recall woes, Toyota managed to sell 214,718 cars in Australia last year, up 6.8 per cent compared with 2009. Lexus moved 6526 units, up 11.8 per cent, beating the Australian market’s growth of 10.5 per cent.

TMC’s global sales grew 7.7 per cent to 8.4 million last year, giving it a slim margin over GM with which to cling to the top spot as world’s largest vehicle manufacturer.