Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Toyota recalls 2.7m vehicles globally, 1600 in NZ

Updated at 10:22 pm on 15 November 2012

Toyota has announced a global recall of 2.7 million vehicles because of hundreds of complaints about water pump and steering extension shaft problems.

The recall affects nine models, including the Toyota Corolla and the second-generation Prius.

Toyota says no accidents due to these faults have been reported so far.

It is four weeks since the company recalled more than seven million vehicles worldwide, including some Corolla and Camry models, over faulty window switches.

Toyota New Zealand says the steering recall affects 1600 Corolla, Prius and Avensis vehicles sold new in this country between 2002 - 2009, and the pump recall affects 800 Priuses.

The company says no accidents related to the problems have been reported.

Toyota New Zealand's general manager of customer service, Spencer Morris, says the recall is precautionary but hybrid systems could have glitches in extreme circumstances.

Owners of the affected cars will be advised by letter to have their vehicles inspected by a Toyota dealer.

Toyota's reputation was damaged in 2009 by a recall that ended up involving 12 million vehicles and fines from US regulators.

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