Fuel system faults prompt Toyota recall

The company is now contacting registered owners through the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) to advise them to take their vehicles in for repair.

The issue affects around 15,500 UK-registered Avensis 2.0-litre and 2.4-litre petrol-engine models, produced between July 2000 and September 2008.

The first concern is related to the fuel pipe, where small cracks can potentially develop after a long period of time. The second concern is related to insufficient tightening of the fuel pump check valve. In the worst case, these issues may cause fuel to leak.

Speaking to The Engineer, Toyota’s Richard Seymour said: ’Because it’s a direct-injection engine, there’s a mechanical pump to create the high pressure required. When the pipe that goes onto the check valve was manufactured the wall thickness of the pipe was slightly too small, and over time because these are older cars, due to fluctuations in driving conditions, there’s a chance we might get some small cracks.’