Toyota Motor Corp. (NYSE: TM) said on Wednesday that it is recalling 1.03 million vehicles around the world, including its gasoline-hybrid Prius model, due to an issue with the engine wire harness that can pose a fire risk.
In Canada, the recall includes 7,200 Prius models made between 2016 and 2018.
Following a domestic recall announcement by Japan's Transport Ministry, Toyota said that in affected vehicles, the wire harness that connects to the hybrid power control unit 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 can 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 Prius and the C-HR compact crossover SUV sold in Japan, Europe, Australia and other countries. Roughly half of the recalls are taking place in Japan, Toyota said.
Only the Prius model would be recalled in the United States, where around 192,000 vehicles were impacted. Toyota said the issue has led to one incident of a short circuiting in Japan which produced smoke from the vehicle but no fire
