Toyota Recalling 500,000 Cars Worldwide

Toyota has announced that the company is recalling about 550,000 vehicles worldwide (447,000 cars in the United States) for problems that could make it harder to steer.

Is your Toyota affected?

This latest recall includes:

• 2004 Avalon
• 2004 and 2005 Camry, Highlander, Sienna, and Solara
• 2006 Highlander HV
• 2004 and 2005 ES330 and RX330
• 2006 RX400h

According to the Washington Post Toyota has received a total of 79 reports about the defect and there have been no reports of accidents or injuries related to the problem.

From Toyota:

Toyota is currently working on obtaining the necessary replacement parts. Once the replacement parts have been produced in sufficient quantities, Toyota will send an owner notification by first class mail advising owners to make an appointment with an authorized Toyota or Lexus dealer to have the crankshaft pulley inspected and if necessary, replaced at no charge. The owner notifications will be mailed by first class mail beginning in January, 2012.

In the meantime, if an abnormal noise is heard coming from the engine compartment, the owner is asked to make an appointment with any Toyota or Lexus dealer to have the vehicle inspected for this condition.

Check the Toyota website more more details about the recall and watch the Fox 31 News video about it below.