Toyota says it will recall 4,500 Lexus vehicles in Japan, 7,000 overseas may also be affected

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Toyota to recall 4,500 Lexus vehicles in Japan
Toyota says it will recall 4,500 Lexus vehicles in Japan, 7,000 overseas may also be affected


TOKYO (AP) -- Toyota said Wednesday it will recall 4,500 Lexus vehicles in Japan to fix a computerized steering problem, with another 7,000 vehicles overseas also likely affected.

The world's biggest automaker has received 12 complaints about the problem within Japan, but knows of no accidents that it has caused worldwide, according to spokesman Paul Nolasco.

After being hit with a record $16.4 million fine in the U.S. and facing strong government criticism both at home and abroad for slow responses to safety problems, Toyota Motor Corp. is working to react more quickly. The company on Tuesday paid the fine in the U.S., where it still faces hundreds of state and federal lawsuits.

The latest issue affects Toyota's luxury Lexus "LS" line, and involves a computerized system that oversees how the steering wheel controls the tires. The Lexus line is Toyota's top-priced luxury sedan brand, and includes the "LS 600h" hybrid.

In addition to the 4,500 cars sold in Japan, about 7,000 have been sold abroad, including about 3,800 in the U.S., 150 in Europe and 800 in China, with others sold in areas such as the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Australia. .........(more)

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