Toyota Will Recall Lexus HS 250h Hybrids for Possible Gas Spill Danger
By John O'Dell June 25, 2010
Toyota Motor Co., moving swiftly to avoid criticism for inaction, said it will voluntarily recall 17,000 2010 Lexus HS 250h hybrid sedans and already has ordered dealers to stop selling the vehicle (right) while it investigates a high-speed crash test that resulted in a fuel spill.
The test, conducted by a private contractor working for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, resulted in spillage of gasoline from the hybrid's tank when it was hit in the rear at 50 miles per hour and then mounted on a special device and spun like a turkey on a spit.
The car was on its side when the spill occurred "and it was a very small amount" of fuel that leaked out, said Toyota safety issues spokesman Brian Lyons
Toyota said it needs to be able to replicate the situation in order to determine a fix and has not yet been able to do so. The automaker said that already has begun telling dealers to stop selling the model until a solution is developed.
People who already have purchased the Lexus hybrid sedan can continue driving them, Lyons said, citing the extreme conditions under which the fuel spillage occurred.
Owners will be notified once a solution is developed, he said.
Toyota acted quickly to pull the cars from the market and announce the pending recall because it was heavily criticized - and fined $16.4 million by NHTSA - for acting too slowly on a recent series of recalls involving issues including floor mats jamming accelerator pedals and drivers' allegations of unintended acceleration.
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