Toyota issues Kluger recall due to fuel fire risk

TOYOTA has issued a recall notice for its Kluger SUV due to a fuel leak risk which could result in a fire.

The recall affects 650 two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive current-generation Klugers, built between May 2 and June 3, 2014.

Toyota Australia media and external affairs manager Beck Angel said there is a concern regarding a fault with the fuel delivery pipe.

“The recall is due to the possibility that the end cap on the right-hand bank fuel delivery pipe could have been insufficiently welded during manufacturing process at the supplier,” she said.  “In this condition, fuel could leak from the fuel delivery pipe-end cap, potentially increasing the risk of a fire hazard.  “Customers will be contacted by mail as soon as parts become available in mid-October and asked to make an appointment at their preferred Toyota dealer.

“Toyota dealers will then inspect the fuel delivery pipe and, if it was produced at the involved supplier, it will be replaced with a new one free of charge.” Ms Angel said there had been no incidences of fires, accidents or injuries as a result of this condition.

This year has seen a record number of cars in Australia recalled by their manufacturers, with Toyota recalling about 300,000 cars in April due to an airbag fault.

In June more car-makers were caught up in a related airbag fault with Honda having to recall 33,434 and Nissan recalling 25,941.

Another large recall was issued in August, when Mitsubishi called in 114,862 cars following the discovery of a fault that could cause headlights and indicators to stop working.