News: Toyota recalls 6.5m cars over steering and seat problems

TOYOTA IS recalling more than 6.5m cars worldwide to fix problems that could arise with airbags, seat rails and steering columns.

The recall concerns 35,000 cars in the UK and is confined to RAV4, Hilux, Yaris and Urban Cruiser models. The car maker said that there have been no reports of any accidents, injuries or fatalities linked to the issues.

RAV4 and Hilux models built between June 2004 and December 2010 are being recalled for a possible issue affecting the airbag module that could lead to the bag failing to activate. In total, 24,785 UK-registered examples are affected.

Yaris and Urban Cruiser models built between January 2005 and August 2010 are being recalled for inspection and possible replacement of a seat retaining spring that could break, allowing the seat to move in a collision. Toyota says 10,339 UK cars are affected.

Second-generation Yaris and Urban Cruiser models built between September 2005 and February 2009 are being recalled over concerns with a weld, connecting the steering column bracket to the instrument panel, that could break. This recall affects 1,293 cars.

The recall, one of the largest in the history of the motor industry, is just the latest in a series of major recalls Toyota has triggered in recent years.

In 2010 the company recalled 10m cars worldwide over braking and acceleration issues. Two years later, in 2012, it triggered two recalls affecting the same number and involving issues with steering wheels, water pumps and window switches. Then in 2013, it recalled almost 1m cars over a possible airbag fault connected to leaky air conditioning units.

Toyota says that it will contact the owners of cars involved in its latest recall to arrange free inspection and repair. Meanwhile, owners can check their car’s status for themselves at Toyota.co.uk.