Toyota Australia Recalls Vehicles Due To Fuel Pumps

December 21, 2020

Toyota Australia has today announced that it will initiate an expansion of a safety recall originally announced on 4th March 2020. The additional models involve 1,957 Corolla and HiLux vehicles produced between September 2017 to September 2018 (inclusive).

The involved vehicles are equipped with a fuel pump which may stop operating. If this were to occur, warning lights and messages may display on the instrument panel, and the engine may not run smoothly. This can result in a vehicle stall, and the vehicle may not restart. If a vehicle stall occurs while driving at higher speeds, this could increase the risk of a collision.

For all involved vehicles, Toyota dealers will replace the fuel pump with an improved one free of charge to owners.

Depending on the vehicle, it is expected that it will take approximately 2-4 hours to replace the fuel pump. However, based on the Dealer’s work schedule, it may be necessary for the owner to make the vehicle available for a longer period of time.

TToyota Australia will provide all owners of involved vehicles details of this safety recall campaign by SMS, email and mail to their last known mobile number, email or postal address. Owners are asked to keep their contact details up to date with Toyota so future communications can be received.

Owners with additional questions are asked to please contact their local/preferred Toyota Dealer in the first instance or the Toyota Recall Campaign Helpline on 1800 987 366 (Mon-Fri 8:00am to 6:00pm AEDT). Please quote your 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

Q&A

Q1. What models are involved in Australia?
A1. In this recall, an additional 1,957 vehicles are involved in Australia, including 8 Corolla and 1,949 HiLux vehicles.

The full list of all involved vehicles is below. This includes vehicles from today’s expansion and also the recalls announced in March 2020 and October 2020.

Note: Although the involved vehicles are within the above VIN ranges, not all vehicles in these VIN ranges were sold in the Australian market.
(#) indicates additional check digit (alpha or numeric).

Q2. What is the condition?
A2. The involved vehicles are equipped with a low-pressure fuel pump, located in the fuel tank, that supplies fuel pressure to the fuel injection system. These fuel pumps may include impellers, which have been manufactured with lower density. If these impellers are also (1) of a design with lower surface strength or (2) of a different design but were exposed to production solvent drying for longer periods of time, higher levels of surface cracking may occur. This may cause excessive fuel absorption to occur, resulting in impeller deformation. In some cases, the impeller may deform to a point that creates interference with the fuel pump body, which may cause the fuel pump to become inoperative.
An inoperative fuel pump could result in illumination of the check engine and master warning indicators on the instrument panel, the engine not running smoothly, the engine not starting and/or vehicle stalling while driving at low speed. In rare instances, vehicles may stall while driving at higher speeds, increasing the risk of a collision.

SQ1. Are there any symptoms/warnings of this condition?
The check engine and master warning indicators on the instrument panel may illuminate, the engine may not run smoothly or fail to start and/or the vehicle may stall.

SQ2. How is this recall related to the global recall previously filed in March 2020 and October 2020?
This is an expansion of the global recall commenced in March. After further investigation, Toyota considered the scope of the recall needed to be expanded.

SQ3. What is an impeller?
The impeller is the rotating component within the low-pressure fuel pump that drives the fuel through the pump.

Q3. What does the remedy involve?
A3. For all involved vehicles, Toyota dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump with an improved one free of charge to customers.

SQ1. The total number of involved vehicles is very large. Do you have enough replacement parts?
There is sufficient stock available to rectify these vehicles.

Q4. How long will the remedy take?
A4. Depending on the vehicle model, it will take approximately 2-4 hours. However, based on the Dealer’s work schedule, it may be necessary for the owner to make the vehicle available for a longer period of time.

Q5. What was the improvement made to the fuel pump?
A5. In April 2019, the fuel pump production process was changed so that the impellers were improved. Lead time for implementation of these improved parts into vehicle production varies model by model.

Q6. Does this condition affect other Toyota models?
A6. Only Toyota models mentioned in the VIN range in the table at question 1 are involved in the Australian market. Due to a number of differences in the fuel pump, other Toyota models in Australia are not included in this recall.

Q7. My vehicle is in the affected production range. What should I do?
A7. Please contact your closest/preferred Toyota dealer to verify if your vehicle is affected. Alternatively, please contact the Toyota Recall Campaign Helpline on 1800 987 366 (Mon-Fri 8:00am to 6:00pm AEDT). Please quote your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

Q8. Where can I find my VIN?
A8. VIN number location varies by model. For information on how to find the VIN position specific to your vehicle, please search “vehicle identification number” in the alphabetical index at the rear of your Owner’s Manual.

Q9. I’m reluctant to visit a Dealership due to COVID-19. How can you help?
A9. You can be assured that Toyota dealers are well-positioned to assist you in ways that prioritise your well-being and that of our dealership staff. For your peace of mind, our dealers have implemented intensive cleaning, hygiene and social-distancing measures, based on best-practice advice from government and health authorities. Your preferred/local dealer will be able to assist in addressing your specific concern as well as any other questions you may have.