Toyota announces recall of 381,000 Tacomas amid warning that parts might fall off axles: Alert comes just days after company revealed 280,000 pick-ups and SUVs have faulty transmission

Toyota is recalling about 381,000 Tacoma midsize pickup trucks in the US because a part can separate from the rear axle, increasing the risk of a crash, marking the automaker's second recall in under a week.

The most recent recall covers certain trucks from the 2022 and 2023 models.

Toyota - the world's biggest car manufacturer - said in a statement Tuesday that welding debris left on the ends of the axles can cause some nuts to loosen over time and eventually fall off. 

That can cause the part to separate from the axle, which can affect stability and brake performance.

Toyota wouldn't say if there have been any crashes or injuries caused by the problem.

Toyota is recalling about 381,000 Tacoma midsize pickup trucks in the US because a part can separate from the rear axle, increasing the risk of a crash 

Dealers will inspect the rear axles and tighten retaining nuts at no cost to owners. Any damaged components will be repaired or replaced. 

Customers will be notified by mail in late April, the company says.

Last week, the company announced it was recalling about 280,000 pickup trucks and SUVs in America to fix a transmission problem that can let the vehicles creep forward while in neutral.

The recall covers certain Toyota Tundra pickups and Lexus LX 600 SUVs from the 2022 through 2024 model years.

Also included are 2023 and 2024 Toyota Sequoia SUVs.

Toyota said last week that certain parts of the vehicles' automatic transmissions may not immediately disengage when shifted into neutral.

That can transfer some engine power to the wheels. The vehicles could creep forward at low speeds on flat surfaces if the brakes aren't applied, increasing the risk of a crash.

Last week, the company announced it was recalling about 280,000 pickup trucks and SUVs in America to fix a transmission problem that can let the vehicles creep forward while in neutral

Toyota - the world's biggest car manufacturer - said in a statement Tuesday that welding debris left on the ends of the axles can cause some nuts to loosen over time and eventually fall off

Toyota wouldn't say if there have been any crashes or injuries caused by the problem

Dealers will inspect the rear axles and tighten retaining nuts at no cost to owners. Any damaged components will be repaired or replaced

Much like this week's recall, the company wouldn't say whether there have been any crashes or injuries due to these malfunctions.

Dealers will update the transmission software to fix the problem. Similar to the new recall, owners will be notified by late April.

Toyota said in a statement: 'Certain parts of the transmission may not immediately disengage when the vehicle is shifted to the neutral position. 

'This can allow some engine power to continue to be transferred to the wheels and can allow the vehicle to inadvertently creep forward at a low speed when it is on a flat surface and no brakes are applied, leading to an increased risk of a crash.'

The recall for vehicles moving when in neutral is one of three that Toyota announced a week ago Wednesday.

The company is recalling another 19,000 cars - certain Mirai and Lexus LS, LC, ES models in North America, made between 2023 and 2024 - over a software problem.

The issue means 'the rearview image may not display within the period of time required by certain US safety regulations after the driver shifts the vehicle into reverse, increasing the risk of a crash while backing the vehicle.'

Another 4,000 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles are being recalled because of the headrests on rear fold-down seats that 'increase the risk of injury during certain collisions.'

Last week, the company announced it was recalling about 280,000 pickup trucks and SUVs in America to fix a transmission problem that can let the vehicles creep forward while in neutral 

Dealers will update the transmission software to fix the problem, which is found on Tundra pick up trucks

Toyota said last Wednesday that certain parts of the vehicles' automatic transmissions may not immediately disengage when shifted into neutral. Pictured: Toyota Tundra

In another recall in January, Toyota issued an urgent 'do not drive' advisory on 61,000 vehicles fitted with dangerous Takata airbags, which can explode and hurl 'sharp metal fragments' at motorists.

The voluntary recall will impact 50,000 Toyotas - among them the 2003-2004 Corolla, the 2003-2004 Corolla Matrix and 2004-2005 RAV4.

Also covered are 11,000 Pontiac Vibes from 2003 and 2004, which are essentially the same car as the Matrix and made at the same California factory.

'If the air bag deploys, a part inside is more likely to explode and shoot sharp metal fragments, which could cause serious injury or death to the driver or passengers,' Toyota said in a statement.