(MENAFN) Toyota Motor Corp. announced it is recalling more than 40.000 vehicles in Japan as part of its effort to deal with the Takata-made air bag problems, after Japan's transport minister instructed Japanese automakers to speed up their repairs, Saudi Gazette reported.

Toyota also said that a new recall might be issued for 2003 car models, after investigations began looking at a new type of air-bag problem.

Takata air bags can inflate with excessive force, sending metal shrapnel toward the driver and passengers, with the problems being blamed for at least six deaths and dozens of injuries and resulted in millions of cars being recalled.