Toyota recalls up to 17,000 Lexus HS 250h models for fuel-leak risk

Toyota Motor Corp. plans to recall 17,000 Lexus HS 250h vehicles from model year 2010 after discovering excess fuel leakage during government rear-impact crash tests.

It is the latest safety setback for the world's largest automaker.

Toyota discovered the fuel leakage while striking the vehicle from the rear at about 50 mph during annual federal safety tests. The fuel leakage, which exceeds allowable federal limits, can lead to fires, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in a posting on its Web site.

The automaker has not identified a remedy for the problem, nor has it determined when the safety recall will begin, the NHTSA posting said.

During development of the 2010 Lexus HS hybrid, the company conducted similar tests and found no fuel leakage problems, Toyota said.

“Lexus is currently working to identify the reason for the different test results and the cause of this noncompliance,” the company said in a statement. Lexus dealers have also suspended sales of the model.

Toyota has recalled 10.6 million vehicles world-wide since November, company spokesman Brian Lyons has said.

The recalls cover more than a half-dozen separate safety issues, including sudden acceleration, braking, and steering.

By Neil Roland- Automotive News