Toyota recalling nearly 19,000 cars in the UK

Car manufacturer Toyota is recalling nearly 19,000 cars in the UK due to potential problems with their fuel systems, it was announced today.

The company said hundreds of Toyota Avensis and Lexus IS 250 models could be at risk of fuel leaks and will need to be modified by mechanics.

According to Toyota, there have been no accidents suspected of being related to the defects, but it is the latest in a series of quality control woes for the Japanese carmaker.

Officials said they are writing to the owners of the affected vehicles to arrange repairs.

A statement released by the company said: "As a result of customer feedback in other markets worldwide, Toyota GB today announced it would recall a number of its Toyota Avensis and Lexus IS 250 models in the UK to carry out modifications to their fuel systems.

"It is working with the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (Vosa) to contact registered owners and keepers by letter to advise them of the procedure for taking their vehicle to an authorised Toyota or Lexus repairer for the necessary repair work to be done."

Around 15,500 British owners of Toyota Avensis 2.0-litre and 2.4-litre petrol engine models, produced between July 2000 and September 2008, are eligible for the free repair, which could take up to four-and-a-half hours.

Approximately 3,100 UK registered Lexus IS 250 petrol engine vehicles, produced between August 2007 and February 2009, are also affected.

Jon Williams, Managing Director of Toyota GB PLC, said: "We are committed to putting the customer first and have a total focus on the quality of all our products. We will liaise with our customers to carry out the repair procedures as efficiently as possible, with minimal disruption."

Nearly 1.7 million Toyota-made vehicles are being recalled worldwide because of the defects.