Toyota recalls more than 400,000 vehicles around the globe

Toyota Motor Corporation said it will recall 420,105 vehicles of 12 types worldwide to replace faulty engine sensors.

Of the total, 268,570 units have been sold in the domestic market and the 151,535 others exported mainly to North America and Europe, spokeswoman Shiori Hashimoto said.

The affected vehicles include the Vitz, the Funcargo, the Platz and a number of Corolla models. They were produced between January and November 2001, Toyota said in a statement to the transport ministry.

The sensor, which checks on revolutions, is improperly shaped and may allow engine oil to seep in, the statement said.

'In the worst case, the engine is feared to stop and become unable to restart. A total of 112 defects in those engines have been reported but no accidents resulted, the statement added.