Toyota is recalling 1.8 million RAV 4 SUVs due to possible fire hazard

Toyota, the world’s largest automaker, on Wednesday recalled more than 1.8 million RAV 4 SUVs from various model years because a replacement battery could pose a fire hazard.

The voluntary recall affects 1.85 million vehicles from model years 2013 to 2018, the company said said in a statement. Some vehicles may be equipped with replacement 12-volt batteries that are undersized, the report said.

“If a small top battery is used as a replacement and the clamp is not properly tightened, the battery may move when the vehicle is driven at high speeds,” the report said.

Movement from a strong bend could cause a short circuit that could potentially cause a fire, the company said.

It was unclear whether there had been any fires or accidents related to the recalled batteries. An inquiry sent to Toyota was not immediately returned.

The company’s recall filings with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administrationwhich usually contain information about such incidents, were not yet available from the agency recall entries on Wednesday evening.

Toyota said it expected to notify affected owners by the end of December, adding that dealers would replace the terminal clamp, battery box and positive terminal cover free of charge. The company asked owners for the website of the highway traffic department or Toyotas recall website to check if their cars were recalled by providing their vehicle identification numbers.

The RAV 4 recall announced Wednesday was the second announced by Toyota in a week. On October 26, the company recalled 814,000 Highlander SUVs because the front bumper could fall off.