Toyota to recall 6.5 million cars over faulty power window switch

Toyota Motor Corp said today that it would recall 6.5 million vehicles globally to fix a defect in the power window switch in it's various models.

The worldwide recall over a faulty switch that presented a fire risk is the latest in a string of such moves by the world's biggest automaker.

The company said that out of the total recalls, about 2.7 million are in North America, 1.2 million in Europe, and 600,000 in Japan.

The recalled models include the Yaris/Vitz subcompact, Corolla , Camry , Matrix, RAV4, Highlander, Tundra, Sequoia and Scion xB and vehicles produced between January 2005 and December 2010.

Toyota said modules in the power window master switch may have been lubricated inconsistently during the manufacturing process. Debris caused by wear from the electrical contact points can accumulate and cause a short circuit. That in turn could cause the switch assembly to overheat and melt, and potentially lead to a fire.

"A driver's side power window master switch could short circuit and cause parts to overheat and melt," Toyota said. "A melting switch may produce smoking and, potentially, lead to a fire," it added.  The company also said that it was not aware of any crashes caused by the glitch.

The automaker also issued a separate recall in Japan of about 140,000 Crown and Crown Majesta models for a glitch that could cause the hood to open inadvertently.

Toyota has, in recent months, recalled nearly 10 million vehicles outfitted with defective air bags linked to several deaths globally.

(With inputs from agencies)