Lexus Stops Deliveries and May Recall HS 250h after NHTSA Tests Find that Rear-End Crash Leads to Excessive Fuel Spill

[Updated] Toyota has just issued an official release stating its intention to stop deliveries and conduct a voluntary safety recall of around 17,000 examples of the 2010MY Lexus HS 250h hybrids to address the NHTSA's concerns over the excessive amounts of gasoline that were leaked during a standard rear-end crash test performed by the safety agency.

The Japanese automaker said that during the Lexus HS 250h's development phase it had tested the hybrid car using the same protocol and found the vehicles to comply fully with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 301.

"Even though our own testing of the Lexus HS 250h shows full compliance with federal fuel system integrity standards, we are working intensely to duplicate the noncompliance issue that the NHTSA identified and to determine the reason behind the different test results," said Steve St. Angelo, Toyota chief quality officer for North America. Full press statement after the jump.

Toyota Press Statement

TORRANCE, Calif., June 25, 2010 – Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today filed a Noncompliance Information Report (NCIR) with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), informing the agency of the company's intent to conduct a voluntary safety recall of potentially 17,000 2010 model year Lexus HS 250h vehicles to address a compliance issue with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 301.

As part of its annual compliance testing program, the NHTSA recently conducted a test of the 2010 model year HS 250h. The test involved striking the vehicle with a deformable barrier from the rear at approximately 50 mph. The vehicle is struck by a moving deformable barrier with a 70 percent overlap. As part of the test, the vehicle was then rotated on its longitudinal axis incrementally to each successive increment of 90 degrees. During the rotation, the vehicle exhibited fuel spillage that exceeded the requirement in the standard.

During vehicle development, Lexus tested the HS 250h using the same protocol and found the vehicles to comply fully with the FMVSS 301. Lexus is currently working to identify the reason for the different test results and the cause of this noncompliance.

"Even though our own testing of the Lexus HS 250h shows full compliance with federal fuel system integrity standards, we are working intensely to duplicate the noncompliance issue that the NHTSA identified and to determine the reason behind the different test results," said Steve St. Angelo, Toyota chief quality officer for North America.

At the present time, Lexus has not identified a remedy to address this issue, but it is working hard to do so promptly and will notify owners as soon as one is developed. Until then, as required by federal law, dealers will not deliver any new vehicles in their inventory that are covered by this NCIR until remedied.

Statement from Mark Templin, Lexus Group Vice President and General Manager

“We are concerned with the results of the annual National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) compliance test on the 2010 Lexus HS 250h hybrid. Our engineers conducted similar testing during the development of the new HS 250h and the vehicle performed safely.

“We take the NHTSA’s test results very seriously and appreciate the NHTSA bringing its concerns to our attention. We want to assure our customers that their safety and satisfaction are our top priorities. While we are investigating and vigorously working to understand the different test results, we have stopped delivery of the involved vehicles. As soon as the issue is better understood and/or a remedy is developed, we will contact every owner.

“Customers who have any questions or concerns should contact their local Lexus dealer or Lexus Customer Satisfaction at 1-800-25LEXUS or 1-800-255-3987.”

Global Recall for 2010 Toyota Prius and Lexus HS250h Over Software Glitch in the Braking System

First of all, let us tell you that the above picture isn't a Carscoop chop, but an official advert for the Lexus HS 250h that's shown here in the U.S. and is supposed to highlight the use of sustainable materials on the car. And now that we've got that out of the way, let's concentrate on Toyota's latest recall.

Following the NHTSA's investigation on owner complaints of momentary loss of braking on the third-generation Prius, Toyota decided to issue a voluntary safety recall on approximately 400,000 vehicles worldwide to update software in the anti-lock brake system (ABS).

Aside from the 2010 Prius, the recall also affects the 2010 Lexus HS 250h and its JDM only sibling, the new Toyota Sai hybrid sedan, as all three models use the same components for the ABS system.

Toyota said that the recall is being taken in response to reports of inconsistent brake feel during slow and steady braking on bumpy or slick road surfaces when the anti-lock braking system (ABS) is actuated.

The company added that the affected cars are safe to drive because pressing hard on the brake pedal when the ABS is activated will stop the vehicle.

Toyota has been criticized by the media and consumers for taking its time to issue this recall as the automaker had introduce a running production change on the new Prius built from January 2010.

The Japanese automaker said that it will begin mailing letters to Prius owners included in this recall next week and HS 250h owners within the next few weeks, to inform them when to bring their vehicles into a dealership.

According to the company, the software update will take approximately 40 minutes using standard test equipment in use at all authorized Toyota service centers.

The latest safety campaign for Toyota comes after a string of other recalls, mainly about the faulty accelerator pedals / killer mats, that concern 8.1 million vehicles worldwide since October of 2009.

TRD Releases First Upgrades for Toyota Sai Hybrid

Toyota's budget version of the Lexus HS 250h, the new Sai Hybrid, just went on sale in Japan in the beginning of the month, but the automaker's TRD division has already lined up some subtle visual and performance upgrades for the sedan. In addition to the selection of aero bits, TRD has also released a new grille insert, a sport suspension kit, specific oil and fuel caps as well as a choice of 16-, 17- and 18-inch alloy wheels available in various designs.

The Japan-only Sai sedan, which made its debut at the Tokyo Motor Show this past October, features the same gasoline-electric hybrid system as the Lexus HS 250h.

The 2.4-liter Atkinson-cycle VVTi four-cylinder is linked to an electric motor and a battery pack achieving a total system output of 190HP. A continuously variable transmission and front-wheel drive round out the drivetrain.

Tokyo '09: Toyota Sai Hybrid is a Budget Lexus HS 250h

We think that the title and the pictures say it all about Toyota's second dedicated hybrid model after the Prius and first in sedan form that made its world premiere at the Tokyo motorshow. Nevertheless, if you insist on learning more about the all-new Sai hybrid sedan, it is a more affordable and cosmetically reworked version of the recently launched Lexus HS 250h with most styling changes concerning the front and rear ends of the car as well as the revised dashboard.

The Japan-only Sai keeps the HS 250h's hybrid system that combines a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor and a battery pack for a combined output of 190HP. Toyota says that its new hybrid model achieves a combined fuel economy in the Japanese cycle of 23km/lt which comes to around 4.3lt/100km or 54.1 mpg US.

The Sai goes on sale in Japan in early December with prices starting at 3.38 million yen ($37,200), compared with the Lexus HS250h's starting price of 3.96 million yen ($43,500).

All Photos Shot by our Tokyo Motor Show man, Phil Alex

Toyota Sai: New Dedicated Hybrid Sedan Based on the Lexus HS 250h Officially Launched in Japan

Only a few hours after we posted the first brochure shots of the all-new Sai and Toyota officially took the veils off its new hybrid sedan that will make its public outing at this week's Tokyo International Motor Show. Larger and more luxurious than the Prius, the Japanese automaker's second dedicated hybrid car is a sister model to the Lexus HS 250h that recently went on sale in the U.S.

In fact, the two vehicles differ only slightly in appearance with the Sai featuring a new front end design with a unique treatment for the head lamps, bonnet, grille and bumper and different tail lights (even the rear bumper remains the same) and alloy wheel designs.

The reshaped rear side windows and the absence of protective / decorative door trims sum up the exterior revisions over the Lexus HS 250h.

Toyota's designers spent a few more hours -metaphorically speaking- on the Sai's interior as the hybrid model features a new instrument panel and center console design as well as a different steering wheel and less fancy trim than its Lexus counterpart.

There are no hidden surprises under the hood as the Sai features the same gasoline-electric hybrid system as the HS 250h. In other words it's powered by a 2.4-liter Atkinson-cycle VVTi four-cylinder teamed up with an electric motor and a battery pack to achieve a total system output of 190 horsepower. A continuously variable transmission and front-wheel drive round out the drivetrain.

The new Toyota Sai hybrid sedan is planned to go on sale in Japan on December 7, 2009 with a monthly sales target of 3,000 units.

It will be offered in four trim levels with prices ranging from 3,380,000 yen to 4,260,000 yen ($37,200 to $46,800 US at today's exchange rates). In comparison, the HS 250h is priced in Japan between 3,950,000 and 5,350,000 yen ($43,500 to $58,800). Toyota said it that

Toyota did not say whether the Sai will be available in other markets outside Japan.