Toyota to recall 7.4 million vehicles worldwide over faulty window switch

Toyota Motor Co yesterday said that it is recalling 7.4 million vehicles worldwide, including 8,700 in India over a defect in the power-window switches that can pose a fire risk.

This is the largest recall the Japanese carmaker has announced since it started a series of recalls over unintended acceleration in 2009-2010, and is the biggest single recall since Ford Motor Co recalled 7.9 million vehicles in 1996 over defective ignition switches that could have caused engine fires.

Toyota said that the driver's side 'power window master switch' (PWMS) may experience a ''notchy'' or sticky feel during operation and may become inoperative. This can be due to wear and tear over-time, of specific contact points in the PWMS.

The recall affects the Toyota and Scion brands that the carmaker is undertaking worldwide to fix the problem.

In India, the carmaker is recalling the Altis models manufactured between 30 July and 31 December 2008 and the Camry models made between 1 September 2006 and 31 July.

Toyota's Indian subsidiary, Toyota Kirloskar Motors (TKM), said in a release that it will notify owners of the affected vehicles, and dealers will inspect and replace any faulty part at no charge.