Toyota recalls hundreds of vehicles over steering joint

Toyota is recalling two models - one of them the environmentally friendly Prius - after concerns were raised about the steering units in the vehicles.

Toyota NZ spokesman Paul Carroll said 420 Prius and 152 Avensis models, manufactured between January 2001 and November 2005, would be recalled in New Zealand.

The recall is a part of a worldwide, million-car callback, and could be widened to include less-common second-hand imports such as Wish, Isis and Allex models.

"[But] they are not models that affect us too much," he said.

Mr Carroll, said Toyota expected details from Japan within a few days on the number of imported vehicles that could be affected.

The company would then contact Land Transport to track down vehicle owners.

It was hoped to contact all affected owners by the middle of this month.

A steering joint in the vehicles could develop a fracture if operated under tight lock and full load over a period of time.

Toyota decided to replace the entire steering shaft, rather than the one affected part, Mr Carroll said.

"If you were parking in a tight parking space three to four times a day, on full lock ... that is the type of conditions that could cause the fracture to start."

If any drivers were concerned, they should contact their Toyota dealer straight way," he said.

Toyota would cover the cost of the repair.

By David Eames