Toyota to recall 57,000 Lexus models worldwide

Monday, April 17th 2006, 10:59 am

By: News On 6

TOKYO (AP) _ Toyota Motor Corp. will recall about 57,000 vehicles worldwide from its upscale Lexus brand because faulty parts in the device that winds seat belts may prevent passengers from buckling up.

Of the 57,000 vehicles, about 29,000 vehicles will be recalled in North America, 11,000 in Japan, 10,000 in Europe, and the remainder in other markets, according to a release issued Wednesday by the world's No. 2 automaker.

The move could deal a blow to Toyota, which is known for its reliable products.

The recall may have a greater impact in Japan because Toyota is striving to step up its Lexus car sales in the domestic market after falling far short of its sales target for the upscale cars. Toyota launched the Lexus in Japan last August.

The latest news also comes after Toyota made Japan's biggest-ever single recall of 1.27 million cars last year, due to a defect in the switch for front lights.