TOKYO - JAPANESE car giant Toyota Motor Corp said on Wednesday it was recalling about 264,000 cars in Japan and abroad to repair defective fuel pipes.

It will recall 215,020 Crown, Mark X and Lexus sedans at home and some 49,000 Lexus GS and IS series cars abroad, mainly in the United States, Britain and Canada.

The cars were produced over the two years to Dec 2005, Toyota said in a statement.

Of the total sold in Japan, 139,890 were from the Toyota's Crown series and 70,706 from the Mark X series, while 4,424 were Lexus cars.

The statement said the fuel pipes were improperly bent and could develop minute cracks, causing fuel leaks in the worst case scenario.

Some 39 defects have been reported by drivers but no accidents.

It is the latest in a string of recent recalls by Toyota, which has seen its reputation for quality dented as it races to overtake US rival General Motors as the world's top selling automaker.

In mid-October, Toyota recalled more than 470,000 cars of eight models in Japan due to problems with the fuel and steering systems. -- AFP