Shinichi Sasaki, executive vice president, said: 'If this is a defect, we will start recalls. We are in the process of investigating, but the number of complaints is less than 100.'

At a global press conference presided over by president Akio Toyoda, Toyota has also announced the implementation of a number of quality-related measures. These include the use of a brake-override system, which cuts engine power when the accelerator and brake pedals are applied at the same time, on all future vehicle models worldwide. Toyota is also planning more active use of event data recorders.

Mr Toyoda also spoke on the establishment of a Special Committee on Global Quality, which he will head up and which will comprise a number of chief quality officers from Europe, the United States and other regions.

Toyota is currently recalling over eight million vehicles worldwide due to problems linked to accelerator pedals and braking systems, and recently announced that it was suspending sales and production of eight models in the US in an attempt resolve its issues.

The carmaker also took took out full-page adverts in major Japanese newspapers today (17 February) to apologise for the recent recalls.