Toyota to recall 7.5 million vehicles

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TORRANCE, Calif., Oct. 10 (UPI) -- Toyota Motors Corp. said it would recall 7.5 million vehicles, including 2.5 million in the United States, to correct problems with power window switches.

There have been no reported crashes resulting from the problem, but the firm has received reports of several hundred incidents in which the power window switches created smoke and fires. Nine injuries have been reported, the Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday.

The recalled models include the Yaris from model years 2007 to 2008, the RAV4, Tundra and Camry from model years 2007 to 2009, the Camry Hybrid from model years 2007 to 2008, the Scion xD, ScionxA and Sequoia models from 2008 to 2009, the Highlander Hybrid from model year 2008, and Corolla and Matrix models from 2009.

The recall is reminiscent of the Japanese automaker's recalls in 2010 that revolved around problems with uncontrolled acceleration.

In that recall, about 9 million vehicles worldwide were affected. But that issue involved not only an expensive recall, but crashes and injuries allegedly attributed to the problem and a public relations problem fueled by accusations that Toyota knew about the acceleration issue but delayed bringing it to the attention of regulators.

This time around, "while the number of recalled vehicles is staggering, it doesn't have the panicked safety concerns like the acceleration issues in 2010," said Jessica Caldwell, an auto industry analyst at Edmunds.com.

"It doesn't seem like it will deal a huge blow to the company's U.S. market share. Right now, increased competition and China should pose greater threats for the company," Caldwell said.