Toyota Recalls 1.5 Million Vehicles

VOA Breaking News (Voice of America)
October 21, 2010 at 9:20 am

Toyota Motor Company is recalling more than 1.5 million vehicles worldwide, most of them in the United States and Japan.

Almost 200,000 vehicles sold in Europe and other Asian nations also are affected.

The company said Thursday that most of the vehicles are being recalled because of a flaw that could permit a gradual leakage of fluid from the brake master cylinder. Some models sold in Japan have a fuel pump problem that could cause them to stall.

Toyota said no accidents have been reported as a result of the problems. But it is another embarrassment for the world’s largest auto company, which has had to recall more than 10 million cars and trucks over the past year.

Toyota said the slow leakage of brake fluid will eventually cause a brake warning lamp to light up. If the owner does not add brake fluid at that point, performance may gradually decline.

The recall affects 740,000 vehicles in the United States, including 2005 and 2006 Avalons, 2004 through 2006 hybrid Highlanders and various Lexus models.

The 600,000 affected vehicles in Japan span 13 models including the Crown, Mark X and Lexus.

The company is also recalling 50,000 autos in Europe, 60,000 in China, 30,000 in Australia and 50,000 in other Asian nations.

Some information in this story was provided by AP and AFP.