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Updated
More than 45,000 Toyota vehicles have been recalled over concerns a defective fuel pump could increase the risk of crashes, but potentially dodgy parts may not be able to be replaced for months.
Key points:
- More than 45,000 vehicles, including some of Toyota's most popular models, are affected
- Replacement of defective parts is expected to begin in June
- Toyota will contact owners to advise them of the product recall and to schedule repairs
The fuel pumps on popular Toyota models such as the LandCruiser, Prado, Camry, Corolla and Hilux models manufactured between 2013 and 2019 could stop working at any time, causing them to stall.
"A loss of power while driving could increase the risk of a crash, which may cause injury to the vehicle occupants and other road users," the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said.
Affected vehicles, which were sold across Australia, may also have problems being restarted.
What's the problem?
Toyota said the potential safety issue was with a low-pressure fuel pump that was mounted inside the fuel tank of its vehicles.
Due to the way they were manufactured, impellors in the pumps could deform.
"In some cases, the impeller may deform to a point that creates interference with the fuel pump body, which may cause the fuel pump to become inoperative," Toyota said.
"An inoperative fuel pump could result in illumination of the check engine and master warning indicators on the instrument panel, the engine not running smoothly, the engine not starting and/or vehicle stall while driving at low speed.
"In rare instances, vehicle stall could occur while driving at higher speeds, increasing the risk of a crash."
It is fine to continue driving the potentially affected cars but if people experience any issues or have any worries they should contact their dealer or the recall hotline, a Toyota spokesman told the ABC.
So far, there are no cases of the fuel pump failing.
What should owners do?
The ACCC said Toyota would contact owners of vehicles to advise them of the safety recall and will schedule free repairs when parts become available, which is expected to happen from June.
Toyota expects that replacing the fuel pump with a new one would take between 2 and 4 hours but dealers may need to keep cars for longer if they are busy.
The ACCC is advising Toyota customers to update their contact details with the company so they can be kept up to date.
Further information, including a list of Vehicle Identification Numbers, can be found here on the ACCC's website.
Comment around what owners should do while waiting for repairs has been sought from Toyota.
Affected vehicles
- Kluger (GSU50 and GSU55) — 22,982 cars
- Hilux (TGN121) — 10,771 cars
- Corolla (ZRE172) — 6,947 cars
- FJ Cruiser (GSJ15) — 2,948 cars
- Camry (GSV70) — 1,436 cars
- Prado (GRJ150) — 483 cars
- LandCruiser (URJ202) — 116 cars
Topics: automotive, business-economics-and-finance, safety, australia
First posted