Japan’s Toyota Motor Co. announced Monday its biggest ever recall in China, affecting about 688,000 vehicles, due to a defect in the electric window system.

The recall covers four sedan models — the Camry, Yaris, Corolla and Vios — produced in China by two joint venture firms between May 2006 and December 2008, a Toyota spokeswoman said.

Excessive lubricant used in the electronic controls may interfere with the opening and closing of windows or cause short circuits, she said.

No injuries have been reported due to the defect, she said.

Toyota overtook US rival General Motors in 2008 as the world’s top selling automaker, but has been forced to slash thousands of jobs as it tries to recover from its first annual loss in the year to March 2009.

NO COMMENTS