Toyota Issues a Recall for Almost 700,000 Vehicles in the U.S.

Japanese automaker Toyota has issued a recall on almost 700,000 vehicles in the U.S. over faulty fuel pumps.

The fuel pumps can fail and cause engines to stall which can increase the risk of a crash. The recall covers certain 2018 and 2019 Lexus LS 500, LC 500, RC 350, RC 300, GS 350, IS 300, ES 350, LX 570, GX 460, and RX 350 models.

Also included are certain 2018 and 2019 Toyota 4Runner, Camry, Highlander, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma, and Tundra models. Some 2019 models also are affected including the Avalon and Corolla.

Owners will be notified by mail in mid-March.

In other news, the company’s hybrid sales saw an increase of 26% last year, reaching 230,889 vehicles. Lexus’ hybrid sales saw a jump of 43% to hit 43,661.

“Our hybrid portfolio ran the show [in 2019],” said David Christ, group manager of the U.S. Lexus division.

“2020 will be like the space race for hybrid and electric leadership in the automotive industry,” Jack Hollis, general manager of the Toyota brand, said at the company’s sales conference call.

He added, “We started 2019 with a 5 percent hybrid mix, and looking now at December, we are now over 13 percent. Our hybrid sales are up 26 percent year over year, and we’re not stopping there.”

“We’re doing our part to educate our guests and dealers about the incredible benefits hybrid and electrification ownership can bring, because our hybrid vehicles today are a completely different breed,” Hollis said.

“They’re some of the quickest and most powerful vehicles we have in our lineup, and they’re only getting better.”

Disclaimer: We have no position in Toyota Motor Corp. (NYSE: TM) and have not been compensated for this article.