Pump problem is the main cause for the recall at home and in the United States. Prius hybrid is one of the models involved. Since 2009, company has recalled some 14 million vehicles for faulty floor mats, braking and gas pedals. Ambitious growth goals have come at the expense of quality.

Tokyo (AsiaNews/ Agencies) - The Toyota Motor Corp is recalling 2.77 million vehicles around the world for a water pump problem and a steering shaft defect. The announcement comes at a time when the Japanese automaker continues to lose market share.

The latest recall follows another last month for 7.43 million vehicles for a faulty power-window switch that could cause fires.

This time it involved some 1.51 million vehicles recalled for the steering defect in Japan and 1.25 million vehicles abroad-including 670,000 in the US.

Affected models include the Prius hybrid, Corolla, Wish and other models produced from 2000 to 2011 in Japan, and from 2000 to 2009 overseas.

The Japanese automaker's reputation got hit in the autumn 2009 when a series of accidents involved its cars. For the past few years, it has had to recall 14 million vehicles for faulty floor mats, braking and gas pedals. Before, Toyota had boasted a reputation for pristine quality.

Toyota executives have acknowledged the escalating recalls were partly caused by the company's overly ambitious growth goals, which have reduced the quality of its products in favour higher output.

This year in fact, it is heading towards record sales around the world, especially in emerging markets such as Indonesia, India and Thailand.

 

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• toyota
• recall
• problem
• pump
• steering
• shaft