Toyota recalls 7.4m vehicles worldwide
A fire risk is forcing Japanese car maker, Toyota, to recall 7.4 million vehicles across the world. It's the single biggest recall of cars, since Ford had to pull 7.9 million vehicles back 12 years ago. So what's wrong with them? Electric windows are the issue, and among the models that have to be checked are the Yaris, Corolla, Rav4 and the Auris.
Toyota drivers in Japan, Europe, the US, Canada, Australia and the Middle East are all affected. The company says 'uneven application of grease during the assembly process has caused a problem with some electric window switches' on models built between September 2006 and December 2008. A press release on their website says the window "may over time begin to feel uneven or notchy when it is operated" and the switch might stick to the point that it might stop working altogether. If any lubricant's applied to the switch to help make it work then quote "smoke could occur and lead to a fire under some circumstances."
Apparently, there's been just one defect of that kind reported in the UK so far, and thankfully no-one's been hurt, injured or has died as a result of it.
Written and presented by Marverine Cole.