The recall affects over 6.4m vehicles globally, with no reports of any accidents, injuries or fatalities linked to these issues

In the UK, Toyota is conducting the recalls according to DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, previously known as VOSA, Vehicle Operating Standards Authority) code of practice.

For the RAV4 and Hilux, the recall applies to the spiral cable assembly, which means that there may be a risk when the steering wheel is turned of damage to certain circuits that provide connectivity to the airbag. This may lead to the airbag warning light illuminating on the instrument panel and the driver’s airbag being deactivated.

The vehicles subject to this recall are RAV4 and Hilux models manufactured within the period June 2004 and December 2010. In total this covers 24,785 UK-registered models, split broadly equally between the two models.

All the vehicles affected by this issue are being recalled so that an improved spiral cable can be fitted.

The installation will take about one hour to complete; the work will be carried out free of charge.

In a separate issue, the Yaris and Urban Cruiser are being recalls for a potential issue with the seat rail spring that could break, meaning that the seats for the driver and front passenger (in three-door cars) may not lock into the adjusted position, and could move in the event of a crash.

The vehicles affected were built between January 2005 and August 2010. In total this covers 10,339 UK-registered cars.

All the vehicles affected by this issue are being recalled for inspection of the springs and, where required, replacement with new ones. The job will take between 40 and 90 minutes per seat, depending the model and work required; the work will be carried out free of charge.

Finally some Yaris and Urban Cruiser models are being recalled for a possible steering column bracket issue, meaning that the weld that connects the steering column bracket to the instrument panel might break when the steering wheel is repeatedly turned with full force. If this happens, it will cause the steering column to tilt out of position although the driver will not lose steering control.

The vehicles subject to this recall are second generation Yaris with tilt/telescopic steering wheel adjustment and Urban Cruiser models built within the period September 2005 to February 2009. In total this covers 1,293 UK-registered models. Toyota adds that these are a sub set of the 10,339 being recalled for the seat spring issued described above.

All the vehicles affected by this issue are being recalled so that the bracket can be inspected. If no damage is found, an extra bracket will be fitted to avoid any problems occurring in future. If there is evidence of damage, a replacement instrument panel reinforcement will be fitted.

According to the action required, the job will take between two-and-a-half to four-and-a-half hours to complete; the work will be carried out free of charge.

Vehicle owners will be contacted by Toyota within the coming weeks by post or telephone and asked to make an appointment to bring their car to their nearest Toyota Centre, in accordance with DVSA guidelines.

Customers can check whether their vehicle is affected using a registration look-up function in the owners section of the main Toyota website (www.toyota.co.uk).

If owners require additional information they can contact Toyota Recall Helpline on 0800 1388744.

Since early 2012, the company has recalled around 20m vehicles.