Toyota Motor Corp. announced Wednesday a global recall of 2.77 million vehicles over water pump or steering problems.
The carmaker said there were no reported injuries or accidents, but it had received about 400 complaints in Japan over the pump issue and a handful of reports about the steering problem.
The firm last month issued a global recall of 7.43 million vehicles, including its popular Camry and Corolla models, over a possible fire risk tied to a fault in its electric windows.
Rivals Honda and Nissan have also announced recalls in the past year.
Toyota’s latest move involves a number of vehicles manufactured between August 2000 and December 2011, including its popular Prius hybrid, which suffered from one or both of the defects, it said.
In a worst-case scenario, the steering issue could see drivers lose control of the vehicle, while the water pump problem could render it inoperable, Toyota said.
“There have been no accidents or injuries over these problems,” a spokesman said. “We have received reports from customers.”
About 1.5 million of the vehicles were sold in Japan, with the remainder sold around the world, including in the United States and Europe.
Toyota, once lauded for its safety standards, has been forced into damage control mode in recent years after recalling millions of vehicles over defects.
Southeast Asia push
Kyodo
Toyota Motor Corp. has been promoting efforts to make Thailand and Indonesia into global production bases amid fierce competition and the uncertainties over Japan-China relations.
Earlier this month, Toyota Motor President Akio Toyoda visited the two Southeast Asian countries and announced plans to expand production.
While Japanese automakers face intense competition with their U.S., European and South Korean counterparts in China and many other emerging economies, Thailand and Indonesia are strongholds.
They hold a market share of around 90 percent in Thailand and 95 percent in Indonesia.
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