New recall is yet another blow to Toyota

Toyota faced another embarrassing blow to its reputation yesterday, when the Japanese car maker recalled 2.8 million vehicles to fix faulty steering problems – meaning owners have had to return more than 18 million motors to forecourts in just three years.

The latest recall affects nine models, including 75,000 Corolla, Avensis, and Prius vehicles in the UK, due to problems with the steering mechanism and, in the hybrid Prius, a separate potential hitch with the water pump.

But the recall comes just a month after the car maker called back more than 7 million vehicles because of a fire risk connected to faulty window switches.

In 2009, Toyota faced major safety concerns after problems emerged with the accelerator pedals on several of its models including the RAV4 and Corolla.