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Toyota is
recalling recalling 2.27 million
vehicles globally due to a faulty airbag
system, the company logo is pictured at the
Washington Auto Show on February 2,
2013 (AFP Photo/Nicholas Kamm)
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The company,
which has now recalled about nine million vehicles in the past two months, said
the announcement covered about 20 models, including its Corolla sedan and Yaris
subcompact.
The fire
risk from the defect covers about 1.62 million cars abroad and 650,000 in
Japan, Toyota said.
"There
is a risk that the airbag container could break down and scatter around, which
could cause fire or injuries," the carmaker said in a statement submitted
to Japan's transport ministry on Wednesday.
It did not
elaborate on details of the potential fire hazard, but a company spokesman in
Tokyo said the automaker had received a complaint from a Japanese customer who
said his passenger seat was burned due to the glitch.
The
spokesman added that no serious injuries or accidents linked to the defect had
been reported.
The
callback comes after Toyota in April recalled 6.39 million vehicles globally
over a string of problems, dealing another blow to the firm, whose reputation
for quality and safety has been dented in recent years.
Despite
record sales and bumper profits, Toyota has been fighting to protect its brand
after earlier recalls involving millions of vehicles.
In March,
it reached a deal to pay $1.2 billion to settle US criminal charges that it
covered up a sticky pedal blamed for dozens of deaths.
US rival
General Motors has also been sideswiped by accusations that it hid a
decade-long ignition and airbag problem linked to 13 deaths.
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