Toyota to recall 7,4 million vehicles globally on power window glitch

Switches can be repaired in 40 minutes - spokeswoman

TOKYO, Japan - Toyota Motor Corp has announced a massive recall to fix malfunctioning power window switches, saying it will pull back 7,43 million vehicles worldwide in the biggest single recall since 1996, performed by Ford Motor Co.

The recall will include some Yaris and Corolla models on which the power window switches can be repaired in about 40 minutes, the company said.

“The process to repair (the power window switch) is not an extensive one,” spokeswoman Monika Saito said, adding that it would involve putting heat-resistant lubricant on the switches, or exchanging them.

Toyota declined to disclose how much the recall would cost, or how it might affect its earnings.

The move comes as Japan’s biggest automaker tries to rebuild trust after a series of recalls between 2009 and 2011 in which it pulled back around 10 million vehicles.

The recall primarily affects cars in the United States, China and Europe. The vehicles recalled outside Japan include certain models of the Yaris, Vios, Corolla, Matrix, Auris, Camry, RAV4, Highlander, Tundra, Sequoia, xB and xD produced between 2005 and 2010.

No accidents, injuries or deaths have been reported as a result of the problem, though there is a possibility that the malfunctioning switches could emit smoke, the spokeswoman said.

In 1996, Ford pulled back 8 million vehicles to replace defective ignition switches that could have caused engine fires.

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