Toyota Motor is to recall 1.2 million vehicles in Japan over a fuel pipe leakage risk, the Japanese Transport Ministry said on Wednesday.

A total of 16 models produced between October 2000 and October 2008 will be affected by the recall, the ministry said.

"Slight cracks may appear on the engine fuel pipes. If it continues to be used, the crack may be widened and there may be risks of fuel leakage," the ministry said in a statement.

There have been 119 cases reported without any accident, it said.

In 2008 Toyota ended General Motors' 77-year reign as the world's largest automaker but the road has been a bumpy one for the Japanese giant, facing the impact of the economic crisis, recalls and recently a strong yen.

In the past year the automaker has pulled around 13 million vehicles worldwide over a range of issues following a safety crisis involving brake and accelerator defects that has tarnished its once stellar reputation.