FIFTY-FOUR Toyota Sienta six-seaters and 61 Toyota bB boxy hatchbacks - two models sold by parallel importers here - are affected by a safety recall initiated by Toyota Motor Corp on Wednesday.

The Sientas, manufactured between 2003 and 2005, have defective fuel pumps which can cause stalling. Toyota said the coating on a wire connected to the pump - located in the fuel tank - may be worn away by vibration. This could lead to pump failure. Because the pump is responsible for supplying petrol to the engine, a failure would mean engine stalling.

The affected bB's, manufactured between 2006 and this year, have a universal joint on its steering shaft that is not tightened properly. This could hinder steering functions.

Most of the Sientas were sold by Richburg Motor, a leading Toyota parallel importer that specialises in higher end models. The bB cars were sold by a few importers.

This is the second known recall that is affecting parallel imported Toyotas here. In June last year, a similar exercise involved nearly 6,000 units of Wish - a bestselling seven-seater Toyota. As some of the importers who sold the Wish were no longer in business, authorised agent Borneo Motors was persuaded to fix the cars, which had a flaw in their steering columns.

Besides the bB and Sienta, the recall also affects two commercial vehicle models: the Toyota Hiace and Regius Ace vans.

According to the Land Transport Authority, there were 24 vehicle recalls here in the last six months. Of the lot, 16 were for cars, which affected models like the Volvo XC90 and C70; Nissan March, Latio and Fairlady 350Z; and Honda Civic Hybrid and parallel imported Stream.