NZ Toyota recall: 'We'll fix it free'

Toyota RAV4 EV. Photo / Supplied

A faulty window switch has forced Toyota to recall at least 21,000 New Zealand vehicles as part of a worldwide recall affecting 7.43 million vehicles.

The power-window switch on the driver's side could overheat and melt if treated with the wrong lubricant.

Toyota said there had not been any reports of accidents, injuries or deaths as a result of the problem.

The New Zealand models affected by the recall are Camry, Corolla, Highlander, Rav4, and Yaris produced between 2006 and 2010.

Toyota New Zealand's general manager of customer services, Spencer Morris, said the company would contact the owners of all the New Zealand vehicles.

"This is about customer reassurance. We want to make sure that people can have confidence in our vehicles and we're saying we'll fix it free of charge."

In addition to the 21,145 Toyotas which were sold new here that are potentially affected, there would be a number of used cars that had been imported from Japan which could also be faulty.

"I wouldn't expect it to be more than the New Zealand-new number," Mr Morris said.

"We will need to talk with the Transport Agency to identify who owns those cars, and we will also write to those people and they will also receive repair free of charge if necessary."

It would take about an hour to replace the switch.

In August, Toyota New Zealand recalled its Camry, Camry Hybrid and Aurion vehicles built between October 2011 and July 2012 due to a fuel hose that, in some cases, developed a small hole and could leak fuel.

About 1800 vehicles were recalled.