40,000 vehicles set to be recalled

This 2009 Rav4 is one of the vehicles Toyota has recalled.

Wanganui Toyota is expecting calls from customers in the wake of a world-wide recall affecting some models.

Toyota NZ reckons 40,000 vehicles will be affected but says for the most part the recall is precautionary.

The faults involve the spiral cable which connects the steering wheel-mounted electrical systems in some models and the seat rails in some other models.

Richard Nessling, the Wanganui dealership manager, said no owners had called yet but he expected they would be in touch.

"It's all precautionary at this stage but we are expecting owners to get back to us."

Toyota NZ staff were also working through model numbers and will be contacting owners directly. Anyone concerned about their vehicle can call 0800 TOYOTA.

The problem with the spiral cable assembly is that, in some models, it is attached to the driver's airbag. Engineers said that electrical connections could be damaged when the steering wheel was turned.

If this happened then the airbag warning lamp would light up. The airbag could also become deactivated, preventing it from deploying in a crash.

Toyota will replace the spiral cable assembly with an improved version that would not be affected by turning the wheel.

The problem could affect RAV4, Prado and Hilux models produced between June 2004 and December 2010.

Also being recalled are about 7500 Yaris models manufactured between January 2005 and August 2010, to have a possible seat rail fault fixed.

The rail of the driver seat and the front passenger seat in those cars uses springs to lock the seats in place after they are adjusted. If the springs break, it will leave the seat unlocked, allowing it to move in a crash and increasing the risk of injury to the occupant.

But Toyota said it was not aware of any accidents or injuries caused by this condition.

About 100 Yaris vehicles with tilt/telescopic steering adjustment, produced between September 2005 and February 2009, are also affected, as are 1037 used imported Ractis and Ist cars.

Spencer Morris, Toyota NZ's general manager, said there had been no reported accidents or incidents related to the recalls in New Zealand or elsewhere because of the faults.

Mr Morris said customers overseas had reported failures to the company and that was how it had identified the problems.

He said if motorists noticed a warning light illuminated on the dashboard they should take their car into the dealer immediately.