Toyota to recall 6.39 million vehicles globally over various defects

Toyota Motor Corp today said it would recall 6.39 million vehicles globally over various defects, including steering, air bags and others, dealing another blow to the Japanese carmaker after having recalled more than 9 million vehicles worldwide over unintended acceleration that led to fatal accidents.

The carmaker is recalling around 1.3 million vehicles, including certain Model Year 2009-2010 Corolla, 2009-2010 Matrix, 2008-2010 Highlander, 2009-2010 Tacoma, 2006-2008 RAV4 and 2006-2010 Yaris vehicles over defects in spiral cable assembly.

The driver's airbag module in the involved vehicles is attached to a spiral cable assembly with electrical connections that could become damaged when the steering wheel is turned. If this occurs, the air bag warning lamp will illuminate.

In addition, the driver's air bag could become deactivated, so that it won't deploy in the event of a crash.

Toyota is also recalling around 472,500 vehicles of certain Model Year 2006-2010, including approximately 158,000 Yaris Hatchback vehicles, around 250,500 certain Model Year 2007-2010 Yaris Sedan vehicles, and 64,000 Scion xD vehicles manufactured between 2008 and 2010, over defects in springs that adjust the front seats.   

In the seat rail of the driver seat of the involved vehicles and also the front passenger seat of three-door models, the springs used for the mechanism which lock the seat rail in its adjusting positions could break.

This can happen if the seat is adjusted forward and/or rearward with high frequency.  If a seat rail spring breaks, the seat may not lock into the adjusted position.  If the vehicle is operated with a broken seat rail spring, the seat could move in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant, said the carmaker.

The other recalls are over faulty steering column brackets, windshield wiper motors and engine starters, Toyota said.

Toyota, the world's largest auto maker, said it is not aware of crashes, injuries or fatalities" caused by the above defects and is currently preparing a remedy for these issues.