Totota Motor Corp. has announced it is recalling around 6.5 million vehicles across the globe in order to fix a defect in the power window switch in various models including the Corolla, the Yaris/Vitz subcompact and the Camry.
This glitch in the vehicles' power window switches may lead to a short circuit and possibly result in a fire.
Other models Toyota is recalling include the Highlander, the RAV4, the Matrix, the Tundra, the Scion xB and the Sequoia.
On Wednesday, Oct. 21, Toyota said that there are around 2.7 million recalled automobiles in North America, 600,000 in Japan and 1.2 million in Europe.
Toyota said the malfunction was caused by inconsistent application of sprayed-on grease on electrical contact points in the power window master switch during the manufacturing process.
It said debris brought about by wear from the electrical contact points can pile up and lead to a short circuit. This may then cause the switch assembly to overheat and melt, possibly resulting into a fire.
Toyota manufactured these cars from January 2005 through December 2010. Specifically, the recalled cars were produced in Japan from January 2005 to August 2006 as well as from August 2008 to June 2010. The recalled vehicles also include the vehicles produced outside of Japan from August 2005 to August 2006 and January 2009 to December 2010.
Additionally, the automaker announced a separate recall in Japan of around 140,000 Crown Majesta and Crown models due to a flaw that caused the hood to open inadvertently.
Toyota will scrutinize the switch of each affected vehicle. Heat-resistant grease will then be applied. This process will take around 45 minutes.
Furthermore, the company also mentioned that the internal circuit board will be changed in case the switch is not operating normally.
In the meantime, Toyota received a report from a customer in the United States who suffered from a burn on the hand as well as 11 other reports of burnt the switches and door trims.
Just recently, General Motors also recalled 395 vehicles due to defects in Takata airbag inflators, as well as more than 3,000 pickup trucks and SUVs with ignition switch flaws.
The Takata airbags found in these cars were detected to include inflators that may explode during deployment and result in pieces of sharp metal flying across the affected cars' cabin, posing injury risks to passengers.
