Woes force Toyota to recall 2.8m cars

TOYOTA Motor Corp is recalling 2.77 million vehicles around the world for a water pump problem and a steering shaft defect that may result in faulty steering - the latest in a spate of quality woes for Japan's top automaker.

No accidents have been reported related to these two problems announced yesterday, according to Toyota.

Some 1.51 million vehicles are being recalled for the steering defect in Japan and 1.25 million vehicles abroad - including 670,000 in the US. The affected models include the Prius hybrid, Corolla, Wish and other models manufactured from 2000 to 2011 in Japan, and from 2000 to 2009 overseas.

Of those vehicles, some 620,000 spanning five hybrid models, including the Prius, have a defective water pump in addition to the steering shaft defect. Those vehicles were produced from 2001 to 2010 in Japan, and from 2003 to 2011 overseas. Another 10,000 vehicles with only a pump problem are also being recalled.

The latest recalls - affecting Toyota's prized Prius hybrid, a symbol of its technological prowess - come on top of a recall last month for 7.43 million vehicles for a faulty power-window switch that could cause fires.

Toyota has been trying to fix its reputation after a series of massive recalls of 14 million vehicles over the last several years, mostly in the US, affecting faulty floor mats, braking and gas pedals.

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