06/28/2010 // WPB, FL, USA // Nicole Howley // Nicole Howley

Washington, D.C.—All sales of Toyota Motor Corp’s 2010 Lexus HS 250h hybrid vehicles have been stopped after recent government testing has found that fuel could leak during a rear-end collision. A remedy for the problem has yet to be found, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recalled the Lexus HS 250h hybrid vehicles on Friday, June 25, 2010. The NHTSA said the defect “could result in a fire.”

At this time, Toyota is not aware of any incidents or accidents concerning the defect in the HS.

Before the vehicle was released late last summer, Toyota conducted tests to verify that the Lexus hybrid was in full compliance with federal safety standards. The tests turned up no problems with the fuel tank.

A crash test conducted by Calspan Corp. of Buffalo, N.Y., for NHTSA found that after “an impact from a barrier at 80 kilometers per hour, or about 50 mph, fuel leaked from the vehicle.” Over 142 grams of fuel spilled, which is the maximum allowed under federal safety laws, which prompted Toyota to stop sales and initiate a recall.

Legal News Reporter: Nicole Howley-Legal news for product safety lawyers.

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