Toyota Motor Corporation is recalling 106,000 Prius cars globally to replace the electric power steering pinion shaft attachment nuts, the carmaker said in a statement. Of the total, approximately 52,000 would be from the United States.

The carmaker said that if the steering wheel is repeatedly and strongly turned to the full-lock position, there is a possibility the nuts securing the pinion shaft in the steering gear box assembly may become loose. Over time, that may result in the driver having to exert more force than typically necessary to turn left.

The carmaker also said that a separate recall has been announced, which involves 34 Venza AWD and 16 Sienna AWD vehicles to replace an insufficiently heat treated front right-hand driveshaft.

Owner notification letters by first class mail will begin in early July, 2011 and detailed information and answers to questions are available to customers at www.toyota.com/recall and the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.

Toyota Toyota Recall