Toyota says it is recalling 7.43 million vehicles globally, including 21,000 in New Zealand, over a power-window defect.
The recall also includes 300,000 cars sold in Australia.
The risk is thought to be caused by a power-window defect in models including the popular Camry and Corolla models.
The New Zealand-new models affected by the recall are Camry, Corolla, Highlander, Rav4, and Yaris.
Toyota says the master switch for the electric windows may not operate smoothly or could stop working.
In the worst case scenario, it could overheat and melt if treated with the wrong lubricant.
However, Toyota says there have been no reports of accidents, injuries or deaths as a result of the window problem.
Toyota New Zealand's general manager of customer services, Spencer Morris, says the company will contact the owners of all the New Zealand-new vehicles.
"If the switch needs to be replaced, it will take about an hour, and it will be free of charge. If the switch feels notchy, don't lubricate it, just take your car to the dealer."
Mr Morris says the recall also covers imported used Toyotas, but he's unsure how many there are at this stage.
The range of cars affected worldwide include certain models of the Yaris, Vios, Corolla, Matrix, Auris, Camry, RAV4, Highlander, Tundra, Sequoia, xB and xD produced between 2005 and 2010.
Japan's biggest car-maker has been trying to rebuild trust after a series of recalls between 2009 and 2011 in which it pulled back about 10 million vehicles.
The company is also struggling with plummeting Chinese sales as a result of a Sino-Japanese territorial dispute.
