Toyota Issues Sweeping Global Recall Over Fire Hazard Toyota announced on Wednesday that it was recalling 7.4 million vehicles worldwide, including 2.5 million in the United States, to repair power-window switches that can break down and pose a fire risk. The recall, the company's largest for a single part, could set back its efforts to recover from previous safety issues and the earthquake and tsunami in Japan last year. The vehicles affected in the United States include just more than a million Camrys. Eight months ago, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation into reports of smoke and fire coming from driver's side doors. During its investigation, the safety agency collected reports of 161 fires, including 129 from the automaker, and of nine injuries of undefined severity. Toyota said it had traced the fire hazard to the master switch for controlling the power windows in the driver's door. The automaker said if "commercially available lubricants" were used to fix the problem, the switch could melt "and lead to a fire under some circumstances." In its news release, Toyota said there were no crashes related to the recall, but did not mention fires or injuries. 2007-8 Yaris (covers about 110,300 vehicles) • 2007-9 RAV4 (covers about 336,400 vehicles) • 2007-9 Tundra (about 337,100 vehicles) • 2007-9 Camry (about 938,100 vehicles) • 2007-9 Camry Hybrid (about 116,800 vehicles) • 2008-9 Scion xD (about 34,400 vehicles) • 2008-9 Scion xB (about 77,500 vehicles) • 2008-9 Sequoia (about 38,500 vehicles) • 2008 Highlander (covers about 135,400 vehicles) • 2008 Highlander Hybrid (covers about 23,200 vehicles) • 2009 Corolla (about 270,900 vehicles) • 2009 Matrix (about 53,800 vehicles) In a report to the safety agency, Toyota noted that it originally wanted to conduct a "customer satisfaction campaign" but decided to pursue the recall after discussions with the agency. Toyota said it would begin notifying owners by mail of the recall at the end of the month. Technicians will inspect, disassemble and apply grease to the switch free of charge. Toyota described the recall as voluntary, but under federal regulations once a manufacturer learns of a safety problem it must, within five business days, tell the safety agency of its plan for a recall or face a civil fine. In 2009 and 2010, the company recalled more than 11 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles worldwide to replace floor mats and sticky accelerator pedals. The automaker has been seeking to reassure consumers about the quality of its vehicles since then. An earlier version of this post referred incorrectly to one of the models Toyota is recalling. It is the 2008 and 2009 Scion xB, not the xA.