Return To Sender?

Toyota Motor Co. recently announced the world's largest recall in the past sixteen years after recalling a total of 7.43 million vehicles worldwide due to the potential risk of fire.

This the largest safety-related action imposed by Toyota since 2009 when it began a series of recalls lasting until 2011 due to the risk of unintended acceleration, risky floor mats, and a number of safety issues. The automaker recalled a total of 14 million vehicles. Additionally, it is also the largest single recall since 1996 when Ford Motor Co. recalled 7.9 million vehicles because a faulty ignition module. The vehicles included in this year's recall focus on hundreds of thousands of 2007-2009 Camry and Rav-4 models. Since some of the vehicles were sold under the Toyota produced Scion brand as well, other models include the xD and xA, some of the brands most popular and recent vehicles.

The affected Toyota vehicles have a potentially defective power window switch on the driver's side. In regards to the problem, a Toyota spokesperson says drivers "may experience a 'notchy' or sticky feel during operation. If commercially available lubricants are applied to the switch in an attempt to address the 'notchy' or sticky feel, melting of the switch assembly or smoke could occur and lead to a fire under some circumstances."

Prior to this recent recall, Toyota recalled several vehicles in February due to the same switch after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced it will would investigate the issue. The NHTSA has received 200 issues in regards to the defective switch including fires, but no crashes or injuries. The recall puts an unwanted spotlight on the Toyota company. Along with Honda, the automaker is now in the race to lead the recall list in 2012. To check if your Toyota or Scion is involved in the recall, vist Toyota's recall page.