Toyota is recalling close to half a million vehicles globally due to a faulty engine part.
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The recall affects 268,570 vehicles sold in Japan and includes 12 models built in 2001, including Corollas, the compact cars Vitz and Platz [Yaris for export] and the hybrid Prius.
The fault has also led to around 150,000 recalled overseas – primarily in the US and Canada.
In a statement, Toyota Motor Sales USA said it would launch a voluntary ‘special service campaign’ with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to replace the crankshaft position sensor on some 2001 through to early 2002 model year Echo and Prius vehicles. The connector for the crankshaft position sensor may become disconnected, it added.
The campaign, which does not involve any hybrid components, involves approximately 34,700 vehicles (26,200 Echo and 8,500 Prius) in the US.
So far there have been no reported cases of accidents or injuries related to the affected vehicles.
The recall comes at a difficult time for the Japanese company. Although sales of its vehicles continue to grow it has suffered the embarrassment of a spate of recalls of late.
Earlier in July it announced it was recalling 367,500 Toyota and Lexus sport utility vehicles in the US because a part in the front console area could come loose and interfere with the accelerator pedal.
It has also emerged that a criminal case against three current and former Toyota officials has been filed. The men are suspected of delaying filing a recall report despite knowing of a vehicle defect for about eight years.
