The recall affects nine models, including the Toyota Corolla and the second-generation Prius. 

 

It comes four weeks after the firm recalled more than seven million vehicles worldwide, including some Corolla and Camry models, over faulty window switches. 

 

Toyota is Japan's biggest carmaker.

 

Joichi Tachikawa, spokesman for Toyota told the BBC that the problem with the steering wheel was to do with "insufficient² hardness of the steering shaft³".

 

He explained that due to this, the splines which connect the extension shaft to the gearbox（变速箱） may deform⁴ if the steering wheel is "frequently and forcefully turned to the full lock position while driving at a very slow speed".

 

"This may create an increased backlash（后座） and the splines（花键，齿条） may eventually wear out over time which could result in loss of steering ability," he added.

 

However, Mr Tachikawa said that no accidents due this fault had been reported to far.

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