Torrance,
California - Japanese carmaker
Toyota is recalling 373,000 cars in the
United States over fears that the steering system could be defect, the company said Thursday.
The
recall involves Toyota Avalons sold between 2000 and 2004. No other models are affected, the company was quick to note.
There was a "possibility that the vehicle's steering lock bar could break under certain conditions," Toyota said in a statement.
The recall is the latest in a series for Toyota. Earlier this year, the company was forced to recall 8 million cars worldwide because of problems with sticking accelerator pedals and sliding floor mats.
The company's initial hesitation in implementing that recall caused massive damage to its reputation for
safety and quality.
Toyota and other carmakers have since reacted very sensitively to reports of defects in their cars, leading the number of recalls in the US market to dramatically increase.
