Toyota to recall 41,000 Etios, Liva in India

Japanese car maker Toyota is recalling 41,000 units of its sedan Etios and small car Etios Liva in India, and is contacting customers who have bought its new hatchback models from January this year till October, in order to replace faulty fuel tank inlet pipe.

Sandeep Singh, deputy managing director, sales and marketing, Toyota Kirloskar Motors said, the company has identified some surface scratch on the hose pipe, which may lead into deep cracks in the long run. ''We are reaching out through a service camp to replace the pipes,'' Singh said. ''There is no immediate danger for the vehicles. As a precautionary measure, we are reaching out to customers to replace this.''

The two models, the company's bestsellers in the Indian market, had gone on sale this year and the problem was noticed both at dealership level and also by customers, he added.

"It is a proactive approach by us. This development is not at all dangerous but as per Toyota's worldwide policy, we are informing customers that they can come to dealers at their convenient time and replace the pipe," he said.

Sandeep Singh said a total 41,000 units of Toyota Etios and Toyota Etios Liva  manufactured till 8 October 2011 will be covered under this exercise. "It will not take more than 30-45 minutes. This is not recall, it is a safety campaign," he reiterated.

TKM is using social media such as Facebook and the Toyota's own website to inform customers about the development, he added.