Toyota and Lexus to recall nearly 73,000 UK cars

Toyota and Lexus are set to recall 72,885 Prius, Auris and CT200h models in the UK.

The subject vehicles are equipped with an evaporative fuel emissions control unit (canister) mounted in the fuel tank. There is a possibility that cracks could develop in the coating of the emissions channel due to improper shaping of portions of the channel. As a result of this condition, the cracks could expand over time and, eventually, fuel may leak from these cracks when the vehicle has a full tank of petrol.

A Toyota spokesman said: "We have not received any report of accidents, injuries or fatalities linked to this issue."

The vehicles subject to this recall were manufactured within the period April 2006 and August 2015.

For all involved vehicles, Toyota and Lexus dealers will replace the canister with an improved one at no cost. The work will take approximately two to three hours.

34,135 Prius and CT200h vehicles from the canister recall are also subject to a second recall linked to the curtain shield airbag.

The involved vehicles are equipped with curtain shield air bags (CSA) in the driver and passenger side roof rails that have air bag inflators composed of two chambers welded together.  Some inflators could have a small crack in the weld area joining the chambers, which could grow over time, and lead to the separation of the inflator chambers.  This has been observed when the vehicle is parked and unoccupied for a period of time.  If an inflator separates, the CSA could partially inflate, and, in limited circumstances, one or both sections of the inflator could enter the interior of the vehicle.  If an occupant is present in the vehicle, there is an increased risk of injury.

The vehicles subject to this recall were manufactured within the period October 2008 and August 2012.

For all involved vehicles, Toyota and Lexus dealers will install retention brackets on the curtain shield air bag inflators at no cost.  These retention brackets serve as protectors to prevent the inflator chambers from entering the vehicle interior if separation occurs. The repair will take approximately two to four hours.