Toyota recalls 110,000 hybrid cars on safety concerns

Toyota, which overtook GM in 2007 as the world's biggest carmaker, is recalling more than 110,000 hybrid vehicles sold in the US over concerns about a problem with the power supply circuit.

The Japanese carmaker said in a statement the recall involves approximately 45,500 Highlander Hybrid and 36,700 Lexus RX 400h vehicles sold in the U.S. It said no other Toyota or Lexus vehicles are involved.

According to the company statement, the intelligent power module (IPM) located inside the Hybrid's system inverter contains a control board with transistors which in some vehicles were inadequately soldered and could be damaged from heat caused by a large current flow during high-load driving.

The vehicles could also stop suddenly because of the fuse of damaged transistor blowing up, the statement added.

Toyota has recalled almost 12 million vehicles in the past 18 months due to safety concerns, the last one being in April this year. (See: Toyota to voluntarily recall RAV4, Highlander to replace airbag sensor defect).

The company said it was "working on obtaining the necessary replacement parts" and would contact customers to get their vehicles inspected soon.