2010-07-30 09:55

CHICAGO - Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), USA, Inc., announced on Thursday that it intends to conduct a voluntary safety recall involving approximately 373,000 2000-2004 Model Year Toyota Avalons sold in the United States to address the possibility that the vehicle's steering lock bar could break under certain conditions.

No other Toyota or Lexus vehicles are involved in this recall, according to Toyota USA.

This action follows an announcement made by Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan on Thursday.

The new recalls mean Toyota has recalled more than 5 million vehicles in 2010 in the United States -- and the company has surpassed the 4.8 million vehicles it recalled in 2009.

The new Toyota recall is to address concerns that after a severe impact to the front wheels -- like striking a deep pothole - - that it could disengage the steering shaft. Toyota will install a newly designed snap ring and another component to prevent separation of the steering shaft.

"Toyota is continuing to work diligently to address safety issues wherever they arise and to strengthen our global quality assurance operations so that Toyota owners can be confident in the safety of their vehicles," said Steve St. Angelo, Toyota chief quality officer for North America.

Toyota will replace the steering column bracket -- a procedure that will take about two hours. Owners will get notified starting in late August.