Toyota recalls 550 000 cars

Toyota is recalling 550 000 vehicles worldwide to replace an engine component that could hamper steering, the Japanese automaker said recently.

The latest recall involves Toyota and Lexus cars worldwide although only 76 RX 300 cars sold in South Africa between 2004 and 2005 are affected. Toyota SA said it is busy contacting affected customers.

The recall relates to an outer ring on the crankshaft pulley on six-cylinder engines that may not align with the inner ring. This could cause a component of the power steering pump to detach from the pulley, requiring more effort from the driver to steer.

However, "no problems of this nature were recorded on the African continent," Toyota SA told Wheels24.