Toyota warns of possible steering problem

TORONTO — Toyota has announced a voluntary recall of 4,200 Avalon vehicles sold in Canada to correct a steering problem.

Toyota Canada announced Thursday it is recalling Toyota Avalon vehicles manufactured in the 2000 to 2004 model years because of an improper casting of the steering lock bar, a component of the steering system.

"If the vehicle while being driven is steered to the right with sufficient lateral acceleration, a broken and loose lock bar may move toward the steering shaft. If the engagement hole in the shaft happens to line up at the specific time the broken lock bar has moved, this could cause the steering wheel lock bar to engage, locking the steering wheel, and increasing the risk of a crash," Toyota said in a news release.

The company said it is unaware of any accidents related to this condition.

Toyota will replace the steering column on vehicles involved in the recall. Owners will be notified by mail.

The company has issued a number of recalls over the past year including a major effort to repair vehicles for defects linked to unintended acceleration.