Toyota Motor Corp. filed with the transport ministry Monday for a recall in Japan of over 90,000 cars straddling eight models, frequently of the luxury Lexus brand, due to an engine defect, in the hottest of a series of recalls to hit Japan's top carmaker.The recall start Friday will cover a total of 91,903 cars of seven Lexus models -- the top-of-the-line LS460 sedan, LS600h, LS600hL, GS350, GS450h, GS460 and IS350 -- as well as the Toyota Crown, according to Toyota and the ministry.
The defect in the engine valve spring makes an unusual sound, results in engine malfunction and in the worst cases stalls the engine while the car is moving.
In its recall notice to the Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry, the automaker said it will substitute the defective valve springs with reinforced springs to fix the problem.
Toyota said it has received 220 complaints in relation to the valve springs except no reports of accidents. Toyota has proclaimed it will also recall in the United States around 138,000 Lexus vehicles including the LS460. Including Japan, about 270,000 vehicles worldwide are probable to be recalled due to the defective engine valve springs.
The latest development could deal so far another blow to the company's efforts to redeem its reputation through stricter quality control checks, as more than 8 million vehicles have been recalled worldwide since last autumn, as well as some of its top-selling models such as the Prius hybrid and the Camry sedan, over problems concerning accelerator pedals, floor mats and brakes.
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