Toyota recalls over 7 million more vehicles

Toyota was fighting to save its reputation yesterday, when, for the second time in three years it announced a recall of more than seven million cars because of a risk window switches could catch fire.

It is recalling 7.43m cars – including nearly 150,000 of its popular RAV4, Yaris and Corolla models in the UK – after some drivers using electric window buttons experienced problems during operation.

Toyota warned: "If commercially available lubricants are applied to the switch in an attempt to address the 'notchy' or sticky feel, melting of the switch assembly or smoke could occur and lead to a fire."

In Europe the recall involves 1.4m vehicles. The latest problems take the total number of Toyota's car recalls in the past three years close to 16m.