Toyota recalls a million vehicles
Posted: Tue May 30, 2006 7:48 pm
http://www.courier-journal.com.../1003Quote »Toyota recalls 170,000 Prius models in U.S. for steering defect1 million vehicles involved worldwideAssociated PressWASHINGTON — Toyota Motor Corp. is recalling nearly 1 million vehicles worldwide, including 170,000 Prius hybrid models in the United States, to replace faulty parts that could cause drivers to lose steering control. The recall, announced yesterday, affects about 986,000 vehicles across 10 models.More than half are in Japan, the company said.Shafts and yokes in the recalled cars lack the required strength and could distort or crack under strong pressure, causing drivers to lose control, the Japanese automaker said in a statement.Toyota said no crashes connected to the problem have been reported in the United States or elsewhere.Owners are expected to be notified of the recall next month.In Japan, the recall involves 565,756 vehicles made under the Wish, Isis, Prius, Corolla, Corolla Runx, Corolla Fielder, Corolla Spacio, Allex and Ractis names between September 2002 and November 2005.Toyota spokesman Bill Kwong said the recall involves about 240,000 vehicles in Europe, including the Prius, Corolla and Avensis.An additional 10,000 vehicles are being recalled elsewhere, including China and New Zealand, he said.The recall follows more than 30 complaints filed with Toyota since March 2004, the carmaker said.