The South Korean unit of Japanese automaker Toyota will recall 13,000 vehicles in South Korea because of potentially dangerous defects, Seoul's transport ministry said on April 6.
Three models -- the Lexus ES350, the Camry and the Camry Hybrid -- which all have floor mats that could hamper safe operation of the accelerator pedals will be called back, the ministry said.
Of the 12,984 vehicles affected, 11,232 Lexus ES350s will be recalled along with 1,549 Camrys and 203 Camry Hybrids, the ministry said. Owners can receive free repairs from designated service centers from April 19.
Nakabayashi Hisao, president of Toyota's Korean unit, apologized and vowed to make safety and quality a top priority to regain consumer confidence.
He said the latest recall was a precautionary measure and there would be no danger in Toyota vehicles.
For weeks, the company had said its vehicles sold in South Korea have no safety problems despite global recalls.
Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2010
