Toyota Recalls 670K Prius Hybrids in U.S.

Nearly three million Toyota vehicles around the world are being recalled due to a water pump problem and defective steering shaft, according to a press release Toyota issued today. 

Approximately, 2.77 million vehicles are affected by the combined recalls, including 670,000 in the U.S. They include Prius hybrids manufactured from 2004 to 2009.

Approximately 350,000 of these same Prius vehicles are also being recalled to replace the electric water pump for the hybrid system.

Car owners can bring their vehicle into a dealership to be inspected and, in some cases, have the steering intermediate extension shaft or the electric water pump replaced, according to Toyota. The repair will take approximately two hours depending on the dealer's work schedule.

Car owners in Santa Cruz County can take their vehicles Toyota of Santa Cruz at 4700 Auto Plaza Dr. in Capitola, right next to Pizza My Heart on 41st Avenue. 

There have been no crashes or injuries reported for these two conditions.

Owners of vehicles covered by these safety recalls will receive an owner notification letter via first class mail starting in December 2012, Toyota said. 

Detailed information is available to customers at www.toyota.com/recall and the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.