Toyota is recalling 138,000 cars in the UK, Toyota announced that it will be recalling a total of 7.4 million cars worldwide.  So, why are the vehicles being recalled? The answer comes in the form of faulty electric window switches.

The affected UK models include the RAV 4, Corolla, Auris and Yaris that were built between September 2006 and December 2008.

This issue with the electric window switches was first identified when owners began to notice that the switches felt ‘notchy’ and uneven. Toyota has stated that the fault has not been responsible for any accidents of injuries. Despite all of this, the auto manufacturer has warned Toyota owners that they shouldn’t attempt to fix the problem themselves with standard lubricants. Doing so could cause the switches to overheat or even melt!

The company released a statement in which it emphasised that customer safety and the quality of its vehicles was its “highest priority”, and Toyota went on to say that the performance of its vehicles was constantly monitored using a variety of sources.

Toyota is taking measures to contact all owners of affected vehicles within the next 6 weeks. Fixing the problem will be a quick procedure, taking no more than an hour. Naturally, the work will be carried out free of charge. Meanwhile, any concerned owners are advised to call Toyota’s customer relations line on 01737 367600, or contact their local dealer.

Owners in other countries can also expect to be contacted by Toyota. It is estimated that up to 2.47 million vehicles in the US will be subject to the recall. 1.39 million Japanese cars are thought to be affected, 1.4 million cars in China and vehicles in the Middle East, Australia and Canada are also set to be recalled. These cars will include the Matrix, Highlander, Camry, Tundra, xD, xB, Sequoia and Vios.