Steering problems and recall of Toyota cars could affect UAE

A new round of Toyota recalls could affect two models in the UAE after the company announced that 412,000 cars, mostly Avalons, in the United States would need to be checked for steering problems. The 373,000 Avalons being recalled in the US range from the 2000-2004 model years. They have an improper casting of the steering lock bar that causes cracks to develop on the surface.

In some cases, the cracks cause the lock bar to break, which could cause the steering wheel to lock, Toyota said. While three accidents have been reported, there have been no injuries. In addition to the Avalons, 39,000 Lexus luxury model LX470s, made between 2003 and 2007, are also being recalled because of a steering shaft problem. According to Toyota, the problem is different from the one with the Avalon.

Al-Futtaim Motors, which sells Toyota and Lexus cars in the UAE, declined to comment on the possibility of recall here. Both Avalons and Lexus model LX470s are available in the UAE. Toyota makes about a third of cars sold here. A recall would be Toyota's third in the Emirates this year. Earlier this month, Al-Futtaim announced a recall of more than 1,347 selected 2007-2008 Lexus LS 460s. There were concerns that a defective spring valve could cause the engine to stall.

In February, it recalled 3,120 vehicles as part of a global campaign to fix accelerator problems that had been linked to fatal crashes. Worldwide, Toyota has recalled more than 10 million cars since the start of 2009. * With Associated Press