To fix crankshaft pulley, Toyota recalls 420,000 vehicles in U.S.

There were no reports of accidents or injuries in the Toyota and Lexus vehicles, the manufacturer says, but the latest quality problem adds to the problems of the company. 

Reporting from Seoul 

In another company by sputtering for beleaguered Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corp., the company said it was recalling more than 420,000 vehicles in the U.S. in relation to potential steering problems. 

The safety of remembering to change the crank pulley on the engine V-6 affects 283,200 137,000 Toyota and Lexus vehicles in the U.S., the company said. Around the world covering 550,000 cars. 

There were no reports of accidents or injuries related to the problems, Toyota said in a press release from its headquarters in the USA in Torrance. 

If not corrected, the outer ring of the crankshaft pulley can become aligned with the inner ring, causing noise or alarm lights. The belt power steering pump can detach from the pulley, making it more difficult to suddenly turn the drive wheel, the statement said. 

Since September 2009, Toyota has issued recalls covering more than 13 million vehicles in the U.S. With the company against claims hundreds of security experts and industry analysts say the quality problems could pursue the world's largest automaker in the coming years, which affects their reputation and bottom line. 

In February, Toyota announced that it would recover 2.17 million vehicles to correct mechanical defects that could cause accelerate out of control. 

The latest recall involves models Toyota: 2004 and 2005 Camry, Highlander, Sienna and Solara, Avalon 2004 and 2006 Highlander HV. The affected models are 2004 and 2005 Lexus ES 330 and RX 330 and RX 400h 2006, the company said. 

Since January, the company will mail a notice of the owners to make an appointment with an authorized dealer to have their vehicles inspected after a sufficient number of spare parts have been produced, Toyota said. 

Meanwhile, consumers who detect unusual noise asked to make an appointment to inspect the vehicle, the statement said.