Massive Toyota recall

"Due to insufficient tightening of the fuel pressure sensor connected to certain engine fuel delivery pipes, there is a possibility that the pressure sensor could loosen over time," said Toyota in a statement on Wednesday. "If loosening occurs, fuel could leak past a gasket used in the connection between the sensor and the delivery pipe and through the threaded portion of the sensor."

There are no warnings that this condition will occur, according to the Lexus. "However, if fuel is leaking from the fuel pressure sensor, in some instances a fuel odour may be noticed from the engine compartment," it said.

Toyota did not set a start date for the recall and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration had yet to post any information about the Lexus recall on its Web site as of Wednesday morning.

Toyota also announced a part recall involving 1.3 million autos worldwide to fix "a different condition on a different fuel delivery pipe and a high pressure fuel pump check valve". Those vehicles include the Voxy, Noah and Isis minivans, and RAV4 in Japan. It will also call back 135,000 Toyota Avensis sedans in Europe for possible defects in fuel systems.

This latest recall brings the Toyota global recall total since December 2009 to approximately 12 million cars. In 2010, Toyota paid the U.S. government a record $48.8 million in civil penalties over its slow response to recalls. A class action lawsuit against Toyota is underway in U.S. District Court in Santa Ana, California on behalf of owners who may not have experienced sudden acceleration in their vehicles, but who claim economic loss. The judge in the case turned aside Toyota's request to discharge these lawsuits, saying there is evidence that Toyota knew more about the problems than it shown to the public.