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Massive Toyota Recall Affects Nearly One Million

Includes 283,000 Prius Hybrids

May 31, 2006
Toyota Motor Corp. is recalling nearly 1 million vehicles around the world to replace faulty parts that could cause drivers to lose control of the steering wheel.

Included in the recall are 170,000 Prius models in the U.S. and 113,000 of the hybrids in Japan.

The recall affects vehicles across 10 models, including the popular Prius. The intermediate shafts and sliding yokes in the recalled cars lack the necessary strength and could distort or crack under strong pressure, causing drivers to lose control of the steering wheel, according to Toyota.

Toyota is recalling roughly 170,000 Prius models in the U.S. because the steering shaft assembly could become loose or crack.

Toyota said there have been no reported crashes or injuries connected to the problem in the United States. Owners are expected to be notified of the recall in mid-June.

In Japan, the recall involves a total of 565,756 vehicles manufactured under the Wish, Isis, Prius, Corolla, Corolla Runx, Corolla Fielder, Corolla Spacio, Allex and Ractis brands between September 2002 and November 2005, according to the recall notice.

The number in Japan included more than 300,000 Wish cars and more than 113,000 Prius cars.

The recall involves about 240,000 vehicles in Europe, including the Prius, Corolla and Avensis. An additional 10,000 vehicles were being recalled in other parts of the world, including China and New Zealand.

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