550,000 Toyotas recalled for steering issue

Toyota has announced a recall on 550,000 vehicles in North America, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

The bulk of the recall affects vehicles in North America —  about 447,000 of them.

Seventy-nine reports of a steering defect have come through since 2007, the Associated Press reports, and the recall comes despite zero reports of injuries or accidents.

 

The following are part of the recall: the 2004 and 2005 Camry, Highlander, Sienna and Solara; the 2004 Avalon and the 2006 Highlander HV; and Lexus models 2004 and 2005 ES330 and RX330 and 2006 RX400h.

In the U.S., Toyota will mail owners a notification (starting in January) to make an appointment with an authorized dealer to have their cars inspected once replacement parts have been produced in sufficient quantities. If your car needs a part, it’ll be installed free of charge.