138,000 Lexus autos recalled in U.S.

TOKYO, July 7 (UPI) -- Japanese automaker Toyota Motor, citing an engine defect, has filed with U.S. authorities to recall 138,874 luxury Lexus vehicles sold in the United States.

The decision is similar to one the company filed to recall more than 90,000 Lexus vehicles and the Toyota Crown luxury sedan sold in Japan, Kyodo News said.

Those to be recalled in the United States include the 2006 to 2008 Lexus models LS460 sedan, IS350, GS460, GS450h and the LS600hL models.

In all, Toyota plans to recall 270,000 vehicles worldwide to repair defective engine valve springs that produce an unusual sound and result in engine malfunction, the report said. The company said in worst cases, the problem causes the engine to stall while the car is moving.

Last month, Toyota recalled about 17,000 of its 2010 model hybrid Lexus HS250h vehicles sold in the United States because of concern fuel might be spilled in a rear-end collision, Kyodo reported.