Japanese car manufacturer Toyota confirmed on Wednesday that it is recalling around 1.03 million hybrid models due to a wiring issue that could pose a fire risk.
Hybrid models, including the incredibly popular Prius, will need to be called back, it said.
Half a million of the affected models are in Japan, and reportedly 223 examples are affected in New Zealand.
The Japanese transport ministry announced the recall for the domestic market, which is believed to impact some 554,000 hybrids built between 2015 and 2018 in the country.
However, a similar recall is set to be processed by Toyota in the UK, with some 219,000 cars believed to be affected across Europe. Another 192,000 models will also need to be called back in the US, though it is only Prius versions in North America that are impacted.
The issue is linked to the wire harness that connects to the hybrid power control unit.
It was found that this can come into contact with the covering at the connection point.
If dust accumulates on the wire harness or the cover, the insulation on the wires could wear down over time due to vehicle vibrations.
This could cause an electrical short circuit, which could generate heat and lead to a risk of fire, Toyota said.
The issue affects vehicles produced in Japan between June 2015 and May 2018, and includes the plug-in version of the immensely popular Prius and C-HR SUV.
Toyota spokesman Jean-Yves Jault said the issue had led to one incident of a short circuiting in Japan which produced smoke from the vehicle.
Toyota said it had been aware of the fire risk since February, though no injuries were reported.
Affected models will have a protective sleeved added to the engine wire harness if the wire core is exposed.
Once put in place, the global recall will be the biggest for Toyota since the group had to contact owners of around 2.9 million cars with faulty Takata airbags from 2016 onwards.
- Daily Mail