Problems with the front suspension may affect steering, Toyota said

The vehicles affected are Tundra pick-up trucks and Sequoia, Landcruiser Prado and 4Runner/Hilux Surf SUVs built between May 2001 and December 2003.

The majority of affected vehicles were sold in the US, while the rest were sold in Japan, Europe and Australia.

A Toyota spokesman said there had been one report of an accident in Japan.

Recall cost?

Toyota did not give details of how much the recall would cost.

The company recently reported a fifth year of record profits on the back of higher sales to the US and China.

Toyota is not the only Japanese vehicle maker that has had to recall vehicles. Profits at Mitsubishi Motors have tumbled and executives are still facing law suits amid allegations that they covered up defects for a number of years.

Faults with Mitsubishi trucks have been linked to fatal accidents.