As it turned out Toyota’s rotten luck with recalls is not over yet and continues into 2011. They’ve just announced a big worldwide recall of nearly 1.7 million vehicles including 1.2 million in Japan and 421,000 overseas. The issue is with  a rubbish fuel pipe which may crack and eventually lead to fuel leakage and fire.

In Japan, 19 models produced between 2000 and 2009 will be affected by the recall. In United States nearly 245,000 Lexus models are involved and in Britain 3,100 Lexus IS 250 and 15,500 UK registered Avensis vehicles.The owners of affected vehicles will receive a letter from Toyota notifying them to visit the nearest dealer ASAP.

This recent recall will probably ruin Toyota’s reputation for high quality, or what’s left of it. It already had an effect on the company’s shares as prices fall by 1.7 percent.

In Toyota Avensis’ case the problem is not jut the fuel pipe. The issue affecting certain Avensis 2.0-litre and 2.4-litre petrol engine models, produced between July 2000 and September 2008, is related to potential concerns with the fuel system. 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 potential insufficient tightening of the fuel pump check valve. In the worst case, these issues may cause fuel to leak.

The repair involves replacing the fuel pipe and the fuel pump check valve. The job will take approximately two to four and a half hours to complete, at no cost to the customer.