PARIS: Japanese automaker Toyota said on Thursday it was recalling 600,000 vehicles in Europe to check for loose nuts in the rear wheel area, following a similar recall in the United States.

The recall concerns three models — RAV4 sport utility vehicles, Avensis family and Auris compact cars — and follows the recall of 780,000 US vehicles for the same problem.

Toyota said in a statement the recall was not due to a “concept or design” error but a problem that arises during maintenance.

When it announced the US recall, Toyota said it had determined that if nuts on the rear suspension arm of some of its vehicles were tightened incorrectly after a wheel alignment, rust can form to the point where parts break off.—AFP