Toyota to recall 920,000 RAV4 and Lexus HS 250h in the US, China

Japanese auto maker Toyota Motor Corp will recall more than 920,000 RAV4 compact SUVs and Lexus HS 250h passenger cars in the US and China over a  rear suspension defect that could pose a safety risk.

Toyota is recalling 760,000 RAV4 compact sport-utility vehicles from the 2006 to early 2011 model years and 18,000 Lexus HS 250h hybrid sedans from the 2010 model year in the US.

While China's quality watchdog, The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine (AQSIQ), yesterday said on its website that Toyota will recall 13,474 RAV4 SUVs manufactured between 21 July 2005 and 28 November 2008, and 147,310 manufactured between 6 February 2009 and 31 October 2010.

Toyota said that ''if the nuts on the rear suspension arm are not tightened following the proper procedure and torque specification during a rear wheel alignment service, excessive play may occur at the threaded portion of the arm, followed by rust formation.''

''If this were to occur, the threaded portion of the rear suspension arm may wear and cause the arm to separate,'' said the carmaker in a statement.

Toyota is currently developing a remedy and once it is available, a Toyota or Lexus dealer will rectify the problem at no charge.